plan vs. schedule

Preview　（腕試し）

Which of the following sentences are natural?

（次の文章の中では、どれが自然でしょうか？　チェックボックスも利用できます。）

1. If you don't have any schedule for next Sunday, why don't we go see a movie?

2. I'm sorry that I can't come to the party, but I already have plans for next Saturday night.

3. Midori wasn't able to go out to dinner with her friends--she already had another schedule.

4. Even though she really wanted to attend, Suzanne wasn't able to fit the seminar into her busy schedule.

5. If you don't have any plans for Friday night, how about having dinner at the new Indian restaurant in Umeda?

A. 1, 2 & 3

B. 2, 4 & 5

C. 1, 4 & 5

D. none

　

Quick Glossary （用語辞典）

timetable = 時刻表

noun = 名詞

verb = 動詞

certain = 一定の

plural = 複数の

detailed = 詳細な

Explanation （説明）& Examples (例文)

The confusion between these two words seems to be partly due to translation: the Japanese word yotei （予定）can be translated into English as either plan or schedule.

In English, schedule usually refers to a list of things to do.

Genji wanted to start taking guitar lessons, but he couldn't fit them into his schedule--he is already very busy with his studies, his part-time job, and various school club activities.

I've got a busy schedule this week: a trip to Tokyo on Tuesday, meetings in Nagoya all day Wednesday and Thursday, and a presentation at a conference in Yokohama on Friday.

Schedule is also used as a verb.

I've scheduled three interviews for next Monday afternoon.

When you want to say that you are busy or that you have something else to do at a certain time or on a certain day, it is more natural to use the word plans (in the plural form).

Naomi: Kenji, how would you like to see a movie tomorrow?

Kenji: I'd love to, but I already have plans--I'm meeting an old friend. How about this Saturday?

Naomi: That sounds good. Give me a call on Friday so we can decide where to meet.

Plans (ending in "s") is used very generally to talk about something you have already decided to do. The word plan, however, is usually used to describe how or when you will do something. It can be used as a noun or a verb.

Before we start this project, we need a detailed plan that shows how long it will take and how much it will cost. (noun)

Don't worry about the presentation materials--I plan to have them ready by early this afternoon. (verb)

Exercises（練習）Plan, plans or schedule?

1. When do you plan plans schedule to finish the report?

2. Can you fit another appointment into your plan plans schedule tomorrow, Dr. Watanabe?

3. Junko is in Canada studying now, but she plan plans schedule to return sometime soon.

4. Could you let me know our meeting plan plans schedule for July as soon as it is decided? I need to make sure I don't make any appointments on the days of the meetings.

5. If our plan plans schedule for the longer lunch break is not approved by the president, our employees are going to be very upset.

6. Toshinori's busy plan plans schedule keeps him from spending as much time at home as he'd like.

7. Mr. Johnson's plan plans schedule for the marketing campaign is too expensive; we'll have to think of a less expensive way to advertise our new product.

8. Do you have any special plan plans schedule for this weekend, Kyoko?

9. Kate, do you have the plan plans schedule for today's conference? I lost mine, and I can't remember what time the first presentation will start.

10. If you don't have any plan plans schedule for Friday night, how about dinner and a movie?

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.