Changing plans

Listen to two people talking about changing their plans to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Transcript

Francesco: Sachi? Sachi? Sachiko!

Sachi: Francesco! Is everything OK?

Francesco: Yes. Yes. Sorry, I saw you and I was across the street … I ran.

Sachi: I see. What's up?

Francesco: Do you have the tickets … for the play?

Sachi: No, I don't. I'm going to buy them this afternoon.

Francesco: Oh good, good. Listen, don't buy tickets for this Friday.

Sachi: Oh? Why not?

Francesco: I can't go to the theatre on Friday. Something's come up. I have a concert this Friday.

Sachi: Another concert? But you said …

Francesco: I know, I know. I'm sorry. I forgot.

Sachi: Francesco!

Francesco: How about next week? Are you free then? I can definitely go next Friday.

Sachi: Francesco. You did this two weeks ago, remember? I had cinema tickets for the new Marvel movie and you changed the plans then too. For band practice.

Francesco: I know, and I …

Sachi: We also missed my favourite dance group. Because your band was playing at some child's birthday party.

Francesco: It was my nephew's birthday …

Sachi: Ha!

Francesco: OK, why don't we go out for dinner before my concert? Then, next Friday we can go to the play.

Sachi: Oh …

Francesco: Come on, Sachi. Just this one more time.

Sachi: OK, but promise me next Friday. OK?

Francesco: I promise. I promise!

Task 1

MultipleChoice_MjMyNTU=.xml

Task 2

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Discussion

Do you make lots of plans for your free time?

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Language level

A2 Pre-intermediate

Topics

conversation

I think arranging our time and making plans in advance, is essential for accomplishing our tasks and relaxing in our free time. Usually, I come up with a detailed plan for weekdays, I set my objectives and goals, deadlines, and reports that I have to prepare. Also during the week, I make a plan for the weekend, as everyone loves the weekend and wants to enjoy it. But usually, I don't prefer to make big plans in advance, like changing the job or traveling in different countries. The only plan I can make without a doubt is a vacation for the weekend.

Yes. I always have a detailed plan for every weekend. That can be shopping in the mall, going to play house with my daughter, driving to the countryside or having a barbecue in the garden.

thanks

Dear team From audio above: Francesco: I can't go to the theatre on Friday. Something's come up. 'Come up' its mean: to happen, usually unexpectedly. Is my opinion correct?? If he said: something will be happen. Is it unexpectedly or expectedly??? Thank you for your answer team.

Hi fahri, Yes, that's right. 'Something's come up' means it is something unexpected. It's a task or job I need to do instead of the original plan. For example, my boss has just asked me to do some urgent work, or someone in my family needs my help with something. You could say 'Something's happened' (using present perfect - the same tense as 'something's come up'). That's also unexpected, but it's a bit different. It implies it's something unfortunate or something I didn't want, such as an accident. I might say that if someone in my family has suddenly become ill, for example. Also, it might not be something you need to do instead of the originally planned activity, but something that simply stops you doing it (e.g. if my family member is ill, I'd be worried about them so I wouldn't be in the right mood to go out and enjoy a play). Does that make sense? Best wishes, Jonathan The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you very much sir. Your answer is very clear. Fantastic.

Thanks Jonathan. That's great!

Dear team. From the audio above. Francesco: I promise. I promise! What the different from: I swear I swear or I swear to god. The question: Which one more polite or more solemnly??? Thank you very much for your answer.

Hi fahri, 'Swear' is stronger than 'promise'. For example, in the sentence 'I _____ I'll never lie to you', both verbs work but I would use 'swear' since it's quite a strong commitment. In the listening above, Francesco is just promising not to cancel their plans again, so I think 'swear' would probably be too strong. Also, you may notice that Francesco is replying to Sachi, who asks him to 'promise me'. In his reply, Francesco repeats the word that Sachi used. 'Swear' is also informal, so you could say 'I swear' to a friend or family member but probably not to your manager, for example. 'Swear to god' is even stronger, and may not be polite. One other thing: 'promise' is about something in the future (e.g. I promise I won't forget your birthday). 'Swear' has this future meaning too. But 'swear' is also often used to emphasise that you're telling the truth about something in the past (e.g. I swear I didn't take your money). Best wishes, Jonathan The LearnEnglish Team