Understanding how to confirm plans or arrangements is a crucial skill in English communication. The phrase “Are we still on?” is a common way to check if something is still happening as planned.
However, relying solely on this phrase can be limiting. This article explores various alternative ways to ask the same question, enhancing your vocabulary and communication skills.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering these alternatives will make your conversations more nuanced and effective.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Confirming Plans
- Structural Breakdown of Confirmation Questions
- Types of Questions for Confirming Plans
- Examples of Alternative Questions
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Nuance and Formality
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition: Confirming Plans
Confirming plans involves verifying that a previously agreed-upon arrangement is still valid and will proceed as scheduled. It’s an essential part of communication, ensuring that all parties are on the same page and minimizing potential misunderstandings or wasted time.
Confirmation questions can range from simple inquiries to more elaborate requests for details.
At its core, confirming a plan serves several important functions:
- Verifying Availability: Ensuring everyone involved is still able to participate.
- Reaffirming Details: Confirming the time, location, and other crucial aspects of the plan.
- Preventing Misunderstandings: Addressing any potential confusion or changes in circumstances.
- Demonstrating Consideration: Showing respect for the other person’s time and commitments.
The context in which you’re confirming a plan significantly influences the language you use. A casual conversation with a friend will differ greatly from a formal confirmation with a business associate.
Therefore, understanding the nuances of various confirmation questions is crucial for effective communication.
Structural Breakdown of Confirmation Questions
Confirmation questions typically follow a basic interrogative structure, but variations exist depending on the specific intent and level of formality. Understanding these structural elements can help you construct clear and effective questions.
The most common structures include:
- Yes/No Questions: These questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” They often start with auxiliary verbs like “are,” “is,” “do,” “did,” “have,” or “will.” Example: “Are we still meeting tomorrow?”
- Wh- Questions: These questions seek specific information using words like “what,” “when,” “where,” “who,” “why,” and “how.” Example: “When are we planning to meet?”
- Tag Questions: These questions are statements followed by a short question tag. They are used to seek confirmation or agreement. Example: “We’re still meeting tomorrow, aren’t we?”
- Declarative Questions: These questions have the form of a statement but are spoken with rising intonation to indicate a question. Example: “We’re still on for tomorrow?”
The choice of structure depends on the information you need and the level of certainty you already have. Yes/no questions are suitable when you simply want to confirm the overall plan.
Wh- questions are used when you need to clarify specific details. Tag questions are useful when you’re fairly confident the plan is still in place and simply want reassurance.
Declarative questions are informal and rely heavily on intonation.
Types of Questions for Confirming Plans
There are various categories of questions you can use to confirm plans, each with a slightly different emphasis and level of formality. These categories include direct questions, indirect questions, and suggestive questions.
Direct Questions
Direct questions are the most straightforward way to confirm plans. They explicitly ask whether the arrangement is still valid.
These questions are often clear and concise, leaving little room for ambiguity. They are suitable for both casual and formal contexts, depending on the specific wording.
Indirect Questions
Indirect questions are a more subtle way to confirm plans. They don’t directly ask “Are we still on?” but instead imply the question by inquiring about related details or expressing your own anticipation.
These questions can be useful when you want to avoid appearing too pushy or when you’re unsure about the other person’s availability.
Suggestive Questions
Suggestive questions subtly remind the other person about the plan and invite them to confirm it. They often involve making a statement that implies the plan is still in place, then waiting for a response.
These questions are generally informal and should be used with people you know well.
Examples of Alternative Questions
Here are numerous examples of alternative ways to ask “Are we still on?”, categorized by their level of formality and specific nuance. These examples will help you expand your communication toolkit and choose the most appropriate phrasing for different situations.
Table 1: Direct Questions
This table showcases direct and straightforward questions for confirming plans. They are suitable for various contexts, from casual to professional.
| Question | Context |
|---|---|
| Is our meeting still scheduled for tomorrow? | Formal, Business |
| Are we still meeting up later? | Informal, Friends |
| Is everything still set for Friday? | General, Flexible |
| Can you confirm our appointment for next week? | Formal, Professional |
| Just checking, are we still on for tonight? | Informal, Casual |
| Is the plan still to go to the movies? | Informal, Specific |
| Confirming our reservation for dinner? | Semi-formal, Restaurant |
| Are we still planning on going hiking? | Informal, Outdoors |
| Is our coffee date still happening? | Informal, Casual |
| Just wanted to double-check if we’re still on. | Informal, Friendly |
| Everything still good for our lunch date? | Informal, Casual |
| Can we confirm our plans for the weekend? | General, Planning |
| Is our agreement still valid? | Formal, Legal |
| Are we still proceeding as discussed? | Formal, Business |
| Everything still aligned for the conference call? | Formal, Telecommunication |
| Just ensuring, is our collaboration still on track? | Semi-formal, Collaboration |
| Are we still on for the scheduled maintenance? | Technical, IT |
| Is our project timeline still feasible? | Project Management, Business |
| Can you verify if we’re still set for the site visit? | Professional, On-Site |
| Is our fundraising event still planned for next month? | Non-profit, Event Planning |
| Just confirming, our training session is still scheduled? | Training, Human Resources |
| Are we still moving forward with the campaign launch? | Marketing, Business |
| Is our partnership agreement still in effect? | Legal, Partnership |
| Everything still in place for the product demo? | Sales, Product Development |
| Can you confirm if our service agreement is still active? | Customer Service, Legal |
Table 2: Indirect Questions
This table provides indirect questions that subtly imply the desire to confirm plans without directly asking. These are more polite and less assertive.
| Question | Context |
|---|---|
| Are you still free tomorrow? | General, Availability |
| Just wondering if your schedule is still open for later? | Informal, Friends |
| Did anything change on your end for Friday? | General, Changes |
| Just checking in to see if you’re still available next week? | Formal, Professional |
| How’s your evening looking for tonight? | Informal, Casual |
| Are you still interested in going to the movies? | Informal, Interest |
| Is the restaurant reservation still convenient for you? | Semi-formal, Restaurant |
| Do you still want to go hiking? | Informal, Outdoors |
| Are you still up for coffee? | Informal, Casual |
| Just seeing if anything has come up on your end. | Informal, Friendly |
| Is your availability still the same for lunch? | Informal, Casual |
| How is your weekend shaping up? | General, Planning |
| Have there been any changes to our arrangement? | Formal, Professional |
| Is your schedule still clear for our appointment? | Formal, Medical/Professional |
| Is the venue still confirmed for the event? | Event Planning, Coordination |
| Has anything affected your ability to attend? | Formal, Invitations |
| Is the system ready for the scheduled update? | Technical, IT |
| Are the resources still aligned for the project? | Project Management, Business |
| Have there been any issues with the setup for the site visit? | Professional, On-Site |
| Are the donation pledges still valid for the fundraising event? | Non-profit, Event Planning |
| Have all participants confirmed their attendance for the training session? | Training, Human Resources |
| Are all the campaign materials still prepared for launch? | Marketing, Business |
| Are the terms of our partnership still agreeable? | Legal, Partnership |
| Are all the features ready for the product demo? | Sales, Product Development |
| Is the level of service still adequate under our agreement? | Customer Service, Legal |
Table 3: Suggestive Questions
This table contains suggestive questions that imply the plan is still valid, inviting the other person to confirm. These are typically informal and require a good rapport.
| Question | Context |
|---|---|
| Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow? | Informal, Friendly |
| Excited about meeting up later? | Informal, Friends |
| Ready for Friday? | General, Anticipation |
| Counting down the days until next week? | Informal, Playful |
| See you tonight then? | Informal, Casual |
| So, movies are still on? | Informal, Specific |
| Looking forward to dinner at the restaurant? | Semi-formal, Restaurant |
| Ready to hit the trails? | Informal, Outdoors |
| Coffee sounds good, right? | Informal, Casual |
| Great, so we’re all set then! | Informal, Affirmative |
| See you for lunch? | Informal, Casual |
| Looking forward to the weekend plans? | General, Planning |
| Anticipating a successful collaboration? | Semi-formal, Collaboration |
| Eager to see the final results of our efforts? | Formal, Project Completion |
| Expecting a productive discussion? | Formal, Meeting |
| Looking forward to a smooth system implementation? | Technical, IT |
| Excited about the potential outcomes of the project? | Project Management, Business |
| Anticipating a fruitful site visit? | Professional, On-Site |
| Looking forward to a generous turnout for the fundraising event? | Non-profit, Event Planning |
| Expecting a well-received training session? | Training, Human Resources |
| Anticipating a successful campaign launch? | Marketing, Business |
| Looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership? | Legal, Partnership |
| Excited to showcase the product’s capabilities? | Sales, Product Development |
| Expecting a positive response to our service offerings? | Customer Service, Legal |
Table 4: Questions Focused on Specific Details
These questions focus on confirming specific aspects of the plan, like time or location.
| Question | Context |
|---|---|
| Just to confirm, we’re meeting at 7 pm? | Time Confirmation |
| Is the restaurant still the agreed-upon location? | Location Confirmation |
| Are you still bringing the dessert? | Specific Task |
| Just confirming we’re still meeting at the library? | Location Confirmation |
| Are you still planning to drive? | Transportation |
| Just checking, is it still a potluck? | Event Type |
| Are we still expecting 10 guests? | Guest Count |
| Just to clarify, is the dress code casual? | Dress Code |
| Is the presentation still scheduled for 2 PM? | Business, Schedule |
| Are you still presenting the keynote? | Conference, Speaker |
| Just confirming, are we bringing the marketing brochures? | Conference, Materials |
| Is the venue still accessible by public transport? | Conference, Location |
| Are we still ordering lunch in? | Conference, Food |
| Just checking, is the Wi-Fi password still the same? | Conference, Technical Support |
| Are we still having a Q&A session after the presentation? | Conference, Format |
| Just to confirm, is the conference still on Zoom? | Conference, Platform |
| Is the conference still free to attend? | Conference, Cost |
| Just checking, are we still providing certificates of attendance? | Conference, Materials |
| Are the breakout sessions still happening in the afternoon? | Conference, Schedule |
| Just confirming, are we still following the agenda as planned? | Conference, Agenda |
Usage Rules and Considerations
When choosing an alternative to “Are we still on?”, consider the following rules and factors:
- Formality: Use formal language in professional settings and informal language with friends and family.
- Context: Tailor your question to the specific situation and the nature of the plan.
- Relationship: Consider your relationship with the person you’re asking. A direct question might be fine with a close friend but inappropriate with a new acquaintance.
- Clarity: Ensure your question is clear and unambiguous. Avoid vague language that could lead to misunderstanding.
- Tone: Pay attention to your tone of voice. Even a well-phrased question can sound demanding if delivered with the wrong tone.
It’s also important to be mindful of cultural differences. In some cultures, indirect communication is preferred, while in others, directness is valued.
Adapting your communication style to the cultural norms of the other person can help build rapport and avoid misunderstandings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when confirming plans:
1. Using overly casual language in formal settings:
- Incorrect: “Hey, still good for that thing?”
- Correct: “Good morning, I’m just confirming our meeting for this afternoon.”
2. Being too vague:
- Incorrect: “So, everything’s still happening?”
- Correct: “Just confirming that our lunch appointment at noon is still on.”
3. Forgetting to specify details:
- Incorrect: “Are we still meeting?”
- Correct: “Are we still meeting at the coffee shop at 3 PM?”
4. Sounding demanding or accusatory:
- Incorrect: “You didn’t forget about our plans, did you?”
- Correct: “Just checking in to see if you’re still available for our plans.”
5. Neglecting to consider the other person’s perspective:
- Incorrect: “I assume we’re still on, so I’ll see you then.”
- Correct: “Just wanted to confirm that you’re still available. Let me know if anything has changed on your end.”
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the best alternative to “Are we still on?” for each scenario.
Exercise 1: Choosing the Right Question
Select the most appropriate question from the options provided for each scenario.
| Scenario | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Confirming a doctor’s appointment. | a) “Hey, doc, still on?” b) “Can you confirm my appointment for next Tuesday?” c) “See you next week, I guess?” | b) “Can you confirm my appointment for next Tuesday?” |
| Checking with a friend about a movie night. | a) “Movies still on?” b) “Are you still free to hang out later?” c) “Did you forget about tonight?” | a) “Movies still on?” or b) “Are you still free to hang out later?” |
| Confirming a business meeting with a client. | a) “Everything still good?” b) “Is our meeting still scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM?” c) “Hope you remember our meeting!” | b) “Is our meeting still scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM?” |
| Verifying plans for a weekend trip with family. | a) “Weekend still happening?” b) “Are we still planning on going to the beach this weekend?” c) “So, are we leaving or what?” | b) “Are we still planning on going to the beach this weekend?” |
| Checking with a colleague about a project deadline. | a) “Deadline still a thing?” b) “Just to confirm, the deadline is still Friday?” c) “You better not miss the deadline!” | b) “Just to confirm, the deadline is still Friday?” |
| Confirming a dinner reservation. | a) “Dinner’s still on, right?” b) “Is the restaurant reservation still convenient for you?” c) “Don’t forget about dinner!” | b) “Is the restaurant reservation still convenient for you?” |
| Checking in with a contractor about home repairs. | a) “Still coming?” b) “Can you verify if we’re still set for the site visit?” c) “When are you showing up?” | b) “Can you verify if we’re still set for the site visit?” |
| Confirming volunteer work at a local charity. | a) “Still volunteering?” b) “Are the donation pledges still valid for the fundraising event?” c) “You’re not backing out, are you?” | b) “Are the donation pledges still valid for the fundraising event?” |
| Checking with a team member about a training session. | a) “Training’s still on?” b) “Have all participants confirmed their attendance for the training session?” c) “You all better be there!” | b) “Have all participants confirmed their attendance for the training session?” |
| Confirming a marketing campaign launch. | a) “Campaign still happening?” b) “Are all the campaign materials still prepared for launch?” c) “Make sure everything’s ready!” | b) “Are all the campaign materials still prepared for launch?” |
Exercise 2: Rewriting Questions
Rewrite the following sentences to be a more polite or formal way of asking “Are we still on?”
| Original Question | Rewritten Question |
|---|---|
| Still good for tonight? | Are you still available for this evening? |
| Movies still on? | Are you still interested in going to the movies? |
| Don’t forget our meeting! | Just confirming our meeting is still scheduled. |
| You coming or what? | Are you still planning on attending? |
| Everything still happening? | Just checking if everything is still set for our plans. |
| So, we’re still going? | Are we still proceeding as planned? |
| Still up for it? | Are you still inclined to participate? |
| Remember our appointment? | Can you please confirm our scheduled appointment? |
| Good for the trip? | Are we still on track for the trip? |
| Conference still happening? | Is the conference still scheduled to proceed? |
Advanced Topics: Nuance and Formality
For advanced learners, understanding the subtle nuances of confirming plans is crucial for effective communication. This includes mastering different levels of formality and using language that reflects your relationship with the other person.
In formal settings, use precise and professional language. Avoid contractions and slang.
Use phrases like “Can you confirm…” or “Is our meeting still scheduled…” In informal settings, you can use more casual language and contractions. Phrases like “Still good for…” or “Movies still on?” are appropriate.
Another advanced skill is the ability to infer confirmation without directly asking. This involves paying attention to the other person’s body language, tone of voice, and previous statements.
For example, if someone mentions preparing for an event you both have planned, it’s likely the plan is still in place. Responding with enthusiasm and excitement can reinforce the confirmation without explicitly asking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about confirming plans in English:
1. Is it rude to ask “Are we still on?”
It depends on the context. In informal situations, it’s perfectly acceptable.
However, in formal settings, it might be perceived as too casual. It’s always a good idea to use a more polite or professional alternative.
2. How often should I confirm plans?
It depends on the nature of the plan and the relationship with the other person. For important events or meetings, confirming a day or two in advance is a good idea.
For casual plans with close friends, confirming a few hours beforehand might be sufficient. If a long time has passed since the plans were made, it’s polite to confirm earlier rather than later.
3. What if someone doesn’t respond to my confirmation request?
If you don’t receive a response, it’s best to follow up. You can send a brief reminder or try contacting the person through a different channel.
If you still don’t receive a response, it’s possible the plan is no longer in place. Be prepared to make alternative arrangements.
4. How can I politely cancel plans if I can’t make it?
The most important thing is to cancel as soon as possible. Apologize sincerely and explain your reason for canceling.
If possible, offer an alternative time or activity. Be mindful of the other person’s feelings and avoid making excuses.
5. What’s the difference between “confirm” and “reconfirm”?
“Confirm” means to state or prove the truth of something. “Reconfirm” means to confirm again.
You would use “reconfirm” if you had already received a confirmation but wanted to double-check, especially if some time has passed or if circumstances have changed.
6. Is it better to use a direct or indirect question to confirm plans?
It depends on the context and your relationship with the person. Direct questions are clear and efficient but can sometimes seem abrupt.
Indirect questions are more polite but can be less clear. Choose the approach that best suits the situation.
7. What if the other person seems hesitant or unsure when I confirm plans?
If the other person seems hesitant, it’s possible they’re no longer interested or available. Be understanding and avoid pressuring them.
Give them an opportunity to express their concerns or suggest an alternative. Respect their decision, even if it means canceling the plans.
8. How do I confirm plans in a formal email?
In a formal email, use professional language and a polite tone. Start by thanking the person for their time and confirming the details of the plan.
For example: “Thank you for your time on Friday. I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10 AM in your office.” End by expressing your anticipation and offering to answer any questions.
Conclusion
Mastering alternative ways to ask “Are we still on?” is a valuable skill for effective communication in English. By understanding the nuances of different question types, levels of formality, and usage rules, you can enhance your vocabulary, build rapport, and avoid misunderstandings.
Remember to consider the context, your relationship with the other person, and the specific details of the plan when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.
Practice using these alternative questions in your everyday conversations to solidify your understanding and improve your fluency. Pay attention to the responses you receive and adjust your communication style accordingly.
With consistent effort, you’ll become more confident and effective in confirming plans and ensuring smooth communication in all your interactions.