The phrases to use when you need to cancel plans!

We’ve all been there – you make plans with someone and then something comes up that you can’t get out of. While it’s never fun to have to cancel on someone, there are some phrases you can use to make the situation less awkward.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the best phrases to use when you need to cancel plans.

English Language example phrases you can use to cancel plans 

It’s happened to the best of us. You make plans with someone, only to realize later that you really don’t want to go through with them. Maybe you’re just not feeling it, or maybe something else came up. Whatever the reason, cancelling plans can be awkward and uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are some phrases you can use next time you need to cancel plans in English.

“I’m sorry, but I have to cancel.”

This is a simple and straight-forward way to cancel plans. It’s polite and to the point.

“I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to make it.”

This is another polite way to cancel plans. It shows that you’re truly sorry and that you wish things were different.

“Unfortunately, something came up and I won’t be able to make it.”

This is a great way to cancel plans if you don’t want to get into the details of what’s going on. It’s also a good way to cancel last minute plans.

“I’m not feeling well and I won’t be able to make it.”

If you’re no

It happens to the best of us. You make plans with a colleague, and then something comes up that you can’t get out of. Whether it’s a last-minute project or a sick family member, sometimes you have to cancel on someone you’ve made plans with.

When cancelling on a colleague, it’s important to be as professional as possible. You don’t want to burn any bridges, after all. Here are some phrases you can use when cancelling plans with a colleague:

I’m sorry to have to cancel on you at the last minute, but I’ve been pulled into a meeting.
I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to our lunch today because I have an emergency doctor’s appointment.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it to our coffee date tomorrow because I have another commitment.

Whatever the reason for your cancellation, keeping it brief and professional is the best way to go. You don’t want to give too much information or make excuses – just let your colleague know that you won’t be able to make it and apologize for any inconvenience.

If feeling well, this  is a great way to cancel plans. It’s polite and shows that you really don’t want to cancel, but you have no other choice.

How to get out of work events without causing offense

It’s inevitable that at some point you’ll have to cancel plans you made. Whether it’s due to a last minute work commitment or you’re just not feeling up to it, there are ways to get out of an event without causing offense. Here are a few phrases you can use next time you need to cancel:

“I’m sorry, but I have to work late.”
“I’m not feeling well and need to rest.”
“Something came up and I can’t make it.”

With a little white lie or explanation, you can easily get out of an event without offending anyone. Just remember to be respectful and apologetic when cancelling plans.

How to say thank you and politely refuse to cancel plans 

When you need to cancel plans, it’s always best to say thank you and politely refuse. This shows that you’re still interested in the person or activity, but you have other commitments that you need to attend to. Here are some phrases to use when cancelling plans:

Thank you for inviting me, but I’m sorry to say that I won’t be able to make it.

I appreciate your offer, but I’m going to have to decline.

Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m already committed to something else.

Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.

How to use words to your advantage

If you’ve made plans with someone and need to cancel, there are certain phrases you can use to make the situation less awkward. Here are a few examples:

“I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel our plans. Something came up that I can’t miss.”

“I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to make it. I’ll make it up to you soon.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it. But we can reschedule for another time.”

Using phrases like these will soften the blow of cancelling plans and will help to keep the relationship intact.

How to ask for more time on a dead line instead of cancelling

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to ask for more time on a deadline? Whether it’s because you underestimated the amount of work involved or you’ve been hit with some unexpected delays, it can be tough to know how to go about asking for an extension.

Here are a few tips for how to phrase things when you need to cancel plans you made in order to get that extra time:

-Thank the person in advance for understanding: Showing that you’re grateful for their patience upfront will help set the tone for the conversation.

-Be honest about why you’re asking for more time: Whether it’s because you’re swamped with other projects or you’ve been dealing with some personal issues, be truthful about why you need the extension.

-Offer a specific timeline for when you’ll be able to finish: This shows that you’re still committed to completing the task and helps manage the other person’s expectations.

-Make sure to follow up: Once you’ve been given the extra time, be sure to stick to your timeline and follow through on your promise.

Cancelling Plans on a friend

Cancelling plans can be really tough, especially when you’ve made them with a friend. You don’t want to disappoint them, but sometimes life gets in the way. If you need to cancel plans, here are a few phrases you can use to let your friend down easy.

“I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel our plans. Something came up and I can’t make it.”

“I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to our plans. I’ll make it up to you soon.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it to our plans. I’ll reschedule with you soon.”

Cancelling Plans on a family member

It’s not always easy to cancel plans, especially when you’ve already made them. But sometimes, life happens and you need to back out of something. If you’re cancelling on a family member, there are some phrases you can use to let them know that you’re still interested in spending time with them, just not right now.

“I’m so sorry I have to cancel, but I promise we’ll reschedule soon.”
“I know we were supposed to meet up today, but something came up last minute and I have to cancel.”
“I hate having to do this, but I won’t be able to make it today. Can we replan for next week?”

Your family member may be disappointed, but by using one of these phrases (or a similar one), you can show them that you value their time and that you’re still interested in spending time with them – just not right now.

Cancelling on a partner

If you’re in a relationship, it’s important to be considerate of your partner’s feelings when cancelling plans. Here are some phrases to use that will help soften the blow:

“I’m sorry, but I have to cancel our plans for tonight. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“I know you were looking forward to our date, and I’m really sorry to disappoint you. But something came up and I have to cancel.”

“I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to make it tonight. Can we reschedule for another time?”

Cancelling on a colleague

If you’ve made plans with a colleague and need to cancel, there are a few phrases you can use to let them know. Here are some examples:

I’m sorry, but I have to cancel our plans.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it.

I hope you understand. 

How to make cancelling plans less stressful

Making plans is great. It gives us something to look forward to and gives our day structure. But sometimes, plans fall through. And that’s okay! Life happens. Here are some tips for making cancelling plans less stressful:

-Try to give as much notice as possible. If you know you won’t be able to make it 24 hours in advance, let the other person know as soon as you can. This way, they can make other plans.

-Be honest about why you’re cancelling. If you’re feeling sick or there’s a family emergency, just say so. There’s no need to make up an excuse.

-Offer to reschedule. If you had to cancel because of a work meeting or doctor’s appointment, see if there’s another time that would work better for everyone.

-Don’t cancel last minute unless it’s an emergency. Again, try to give as much notice as possible so the other person isn’t left hanging.

-And finally, don’t beat yourself up about it! Things happen and plans change. It’s not the end of the world.

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Thank you for reading!

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

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