Cancel Plans in English Correctly Without Offense

Canceling plans is one of the trickier tasks for English learners, as you need to be able to express yourself clearly and politely without causing any offense. Whether you are cancelling a business meeting or a dinner date, it can be hard to know the right words and phrases to use.

In this blog post, we’ll look at how to cancel plans in English without offending the other person. We’ll provide you with some useful tips and examples that will help you master the art of politely saying ‘Can’t make it’.

Cancelling on friends

When canceling on friends, it is important to be polite and direct. It is also helpful to offer an alternative plan or an apology. 

Here are some examples of phrases you can use when you need to cancel plans with friends:
“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it tonight.”
“Unfortunately, something has come up and I won’t be able to join you for dinner.”
“I have a last-minute change of plans, so I won’t be able to join you this evening.”
“I wish I could make it, but I have another commitment I have to take care of.”
“I have to cancel our plans for tonight, but maybe we can do something else next week?”
“I won’t be able to make it, after all, I apologize for any inconvenience.”
It is important to express your regret and make an effort to reschedule the plans. By taking these extra steps, you can make sure that your friend understands that you respect their time and appreciate their company.

Cancelling on family

Canceling plans with family can be even trickier than canceling with friends, as it can be difficult to let your loved ones know that you’re not available. However, it’s important to be respectful and honest when canceling. Here are some tips to keep in mind when canceling dinner plans with family:

1. Be honest. If you can’t make it, tell the truth and explain if possible. It’s important to respect their feelings and to explain why you cannot attend.

2. Offer alternatives. If you can’t make the original plan, offer an alternative such as a different date or time that works for both of you. This shows that you still care about spending time with them, even if it’s at a different time.

3. Show your appreciation. Let them know that you appreciate their invitation and their efforts in organizing the event.

4. Offer to make up for it. If you can’t attend, suggest making up for it in other ways. For example, offer to buy them a meal the next time you see them or suggest a different activity together such as going to the movies or a show.

By following these tips, you can cancel dinner plans with your family without offending them. With honesty and respect, canceling on family can be done politely and maturely.

Cancelling on business associates

When canceling on business associates, it is important to be respectful and understanding. Make sure to provide a valid reason for the cancellation, if possible. If you are unable to provide a valid reason, be sure to apologize for the inconvenience. Make sure that you give as much notice as possible so that any alternative arrangements can be made.

When making the call, be sure to introduce yourself and clearly state the purpose of your call. Speak in a polite and professional tone. Keep the conversation brief, but make sure to thank the other person for their understanding.

If you are sending an email to cancel plans, keep it short and to the point. Use these templates. 

Let the person know that you are sorry and explain why you need to cancel plans. Be sure to thank them for their understanding and include your contact information in case they need to follow up with you.

Canceling plans with business associates can be difficult, but following these steps will help ensure that you can do so without offending anyone. Remember to always be polite and show empathy in all of your communication with business associates.

Thank you for reading!

This was written by me. Bryce Purnell, founder of Learn Laugh Speak.

Check out more on my Medium or send me an email if you’re ever curious about anything at all 

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