JustLearn English. Make clear arrangements — English through real life. Listen, pause and repeat. This lesson uses a synthetic voice.

Leo agrees to help his friend Aisha prepare a community event. Before he says yes, he checks his calendar. He is free on Saturday morning, but he must leave at eleven.

Leo says, ‘I can help from nine until eleven. Would you like me to arrange the chairs?’ Aisha replies, ‘Yes, please. Could you also stay to welcome visitors?’ Leo explains that he cannot stay, but he can prepare the signs before he leaves.

They agree on the chairs and signs. Aisha finds someone else to welcome visitors. On Friday, Leo learns that he will arrive at half past nine. He tells Aisha immediately and asks whether the new time will still be useful.

A clear arrangement says who will do what and when. If something changes, an early message gives the other person time to make a new plan.

Leo. I can help from nine until eleven.
Aisha. Could you arrange the chairs and welcome visitors?
Leo. I can arrange the chairs, but I cannot stay to welcome visitors.
Aisha. Could you prepare the signs instead?
Leo. Yes. I can finish them before I leave.
Aisha. Great. Let’s confirm: chairs and signs, from nine until eleven.

Use from…until… for a time period: from nine until eleven. Use before for an earlier time: before I leave. By introduces a latest completion time: Please finish by eleven. Can and cannot describe what you are able to offer here. Instead introduces an alternative. Let’s + base verb proposes a shared action: Let’s confirm the plan.

Compare NINE and ELEVEN in ‘from nine until eleven’. Practise ‘I CAN arrange the chairs, but I CAN’T stay.’ The audio uses cannot in the dialogue to keep the contrast clear. Listen to half past nine, pause, then repeat the whole phrase.

Your turn. Plan a small event with a partner. Each person has a different time limit. Agree two tasks and say who will do each one. Then introduce a change: one person will arrive thirty minutes late. Explain the change and revise the plan. Alone? Speak both sides of the conversation. Pause here to practise. Then use the activities and answers on the JustLearn English website.