 #2 (permalink) Thu Apr 23, 2009 14:26 pm the usage of 'appointment' |
|
|
Hello, Penny,
'Appointment' does seem a bit strange for the circumstances you give. 'Appointment' is usually reserved for more formal meetings, such as business or medical related meetings. I don't know that there is one single all encompassing word you can use.
You might possibly use 'date', but 'date' often has connotations of a romantic meeting. 'Engagement' is another option, (I've got a dinner engagement tonight), but it still seems a bit stiff.
The examples you've given are all good, natural ways of expressing this content. "I'm meeting friends for dinner Saturday" is probably the simplest way to express your idea. If you don't want to be specific, you could just say "I'm meeting friends Saturday" or "I've got plans with friends on Saturday".
"Sorry, I'm busy Saturday" is an excellent way of politely letting somebody know you have prior plans when you wish to decline an offer without specifying a reason why.
Also, one comment on using the word 'gonna'. While you will often hear the spoken variant of 'going to' reduced to 'gonna', you probably want to avoid writing it as 'gonna'. (Unless, of course, you are writing dialog for a story!)
Hope this helps.
_________________
Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
***
Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
*** |
|
 Skrej
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 863
Location: Not-quite exact central USA
|
