Formal alternatives to the phrase “Does that work for you?” can significantly enhance your professional communications. Whether you’re scheduling meetings or coordinating important events, choosing the right words matters. In this article, we’ll explore ten polite and sophisticated options to elevate your language in formal contexts.
Picture this You’re drafting an email to a potential client, trying to nail down a meeting time. Your finger hovers over the keyboard, hesitating. “Does that work for you?” feels a bit too casual. You need something more refined, more… professional. That’s where our list comes in handy. We’ve curated a collection of phrases that’ll make your correspondence shine, whether you’re dealing with CEOs or colleagues.
But why stop at just alternatives? We’ll dive into scenarios, explore the nuances of each phrase, and even throw in some pro tips to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters of business communication. By the end of this article, you’ll have a toolbox full of elegant expressions to replace the worn-out “Does that work for you?” So, let’s jump in and revolutionize your professional lexicon!
is it Professional to Say: “Does That Work for You”
While “Does that work for you?” is a common phrase, it may not always be the most professional choice in formal settings. It’s casual and can come across as too relaxed for certain business contexts. In high-stakes situations or when communicating with superiors or important clients, opting for more formal alternatives can demonstrate greater respect and professionalism.
However, its appropriateness often depends on your industry, company culture, and relationship with the recipient.
What to Say Instead of “Does that work for you?”
- Is this time convenient for you?
- Would this time be suitable for you?
- Does this time fit into your schedule?
- Are you available at this time?
- May I suggest this time for our meeting?
- Could we agree on this time?
- Is this arrangement agreeable to you?
- Would you be amenable to meeting at this time?
- Can we lock in this time?
- Do you have any objections to this time?
- Would this proposed time align with your schedule?
- Is this timing feasible for you?
- Would you be able to accommodate this meeting time?
- Does this suggested time suit your availability?
- Would this time frame be conducive to your schedule?
- Is this time slot compatible with your agenda?
- Would you find this time acceptable for our meeting?
- Could this proposed time accommodate your schedule?
- Is this timing convenient for your participation?
- Would this suggested time be agreeable to you?
Best 20 ways to say “Does that work for you?”
Here are Best 20 ways to say “Does that work for you?”:
1. Is This Time Convenient for You?
This phrase exudes politeness and consideration. It’s perfect for professional settings where you want to show respect for the recipient’s schedule.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Proposal Review Meeting – Scheduling Request
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I hope this email finds you well. I’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss the latest project proposal. Is Thursday at 2 PM convenient for you? If not, please suggest a time that better suits your schedule.
Looking forward to our discussion.
Best regards,
Sarah Thompson
2. Would This Time Be Suitable for You?
This alternative is slightly more formal than the previous one and is ideal for communication with higher-ups or clients you’re not very familiar with.
Example scenario (Business message):
Dear Dr. Patel,
Regarding our upcoming consultation, would next Tuesday at 10 AM be suitable for you? I’m flexible and can adjust if you have a preferred time slot.
Regards,
Alex Chen
3. Does This Time Fit Into Your Schedule?
This phrase acknowledges the busy nature of professional life and shows consideration for the recipient’s existing commitments.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Team Meeting – Scheduling
Hello team,
I’m looking to set up our monthly review meeting. Does next Friday at 3 PM fit into your schedules? If this time doesn’t work, please suggest alternatives, and we’ll find a time that accommodates everyone.
Best,
Emma Rodriguez
Pro tip: This option is great for coordinating appointments with multiple participants. It invites feedback and shows flexibility, which is crucial in professional group settings.
4. Are You Available at This Time?
Direct and to the point, this phrase is perfect for scheduling meetings when you’re already on familiar terms with the recipient.
Example scenario (Instant message):
Hi Lisa,
Quick question – are you available this Thursday at 11 AM for a brief catch-up on the Henderson project?
Thanks,
Mark
5. May I Suggest This Time for Our Meeting?
“Does That Work for You?” is an exceptionally polite phrase, ideal for formal contexts, especially with superiors or important clients.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Quarterly Review Meeting
Dear Ms. Thompson,
I hope this message finds you well. Regarding our upcoming quarterly review, may I suggest next Wednesday at 2 PM for our meeting? If this doesn’t align with your schedule, please let me know your preferred time frames.
Respectfully,
James Wilson
Financial Advisor
6. Could We Agree on This Time?
This option implies collaboration and is excellent for peer-to-peer communication or when working with partners.
Example scenario (Video call):
“Hi Tom, I’ve been looking at our project timeline. Could we agree on meeting next Monday at 1 PM to discuss the next steps? I think that would give us enough time to prepare the necessary documents.”
Pro tip: This phrase works well in collaborative work environments where decisions are made jointly. It’s a formal alternative that encourages agreement and teamwork.
7. Is This Arrangement Agreeable to You?
Highly formal, this phrase is suitable for very official or traditional business contexts.
Example scenario (Formal letter):
Dear Mr. Worthington,
In reference to our proposed merger, I would like to suggest a meeting with the board of directors. Is an arrangement for next month, specifically on the 15th at 10 AM, agreeable to you? We believe this timing would allow for thorough preparation on both sides.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Chambers
CEO, Innovate Corp.
8. Would You Be Amenable to Meeting at This Time?
This sophisticated phrase is perfect for professional communications where you want to impress with your vocabulary while maintaining a respectful tone.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Consultation Appointment
Dear Dr. Rivera,
I hope this email finds you well. Regarding our upcoming consultation on sustainable urban planning, would you be amenable to meeting next Thursday at 3 PM? If this time doesn’t suit your schedule, please suggest a more convenient slot.
Looking forward to our discussion.
Best regards,
Michael Chang
Urban Development Specialist
9. Can We Lock In This Time?
While more casual than some other options, this phrase can still be appropriate in certain professional settings, especially in dynamic industries.
Example scenario (Phone call):
“Hey Sarah, I’ve been trying to pin down a time for the team to meet with the client. Can we lock in next Tuesday at 2 PM? It seems to be the sweet spot for everyone’s schedules.”
10. Do You Have Any Objections to This Time?
This phrase is direct yet polite, suitable for formal contexts where you want to ensure there are no conflicts or issues with the proposed time.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Contract Review Meeting
Dear Ms. Nakamura,
I hope this message finds you well. Regarding the final review of our partnership agreement, do you have any objections to meeting on Friday, March 15th, at 11 AM? If this time poses any inconvenience, please don’t hesitate to suggest alternatives.
Best regards,
Robert Greenwood
Legal Counsel
Pro tip: Use this formal phrase when you want to give the recipient an explicit opportunity to voice any concerns about the proposed time. It’s particularly useful in legal or high-stakes business contexts where clarity and agreement are crucial.
11. Would This Proposed Time Align with Your Schedule?
This phrase emphasizes consideration for the recipient’s existing commitments while maintaining a professional tone.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Project Kickoff Meeting – Scheduling Request
Dear Ms. Rodriguez,
I hope this email finds you well. We’re excited to begin our collaboration on the new marketing campaign. Would next Monday at 10 AM align with your schedule for our project kickoff meeting? If not, please suggest a more suitable time.
Looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
Daniel Park
Project Manager
12. Is This Timing Feasible for You?
This alternative is direct yet polite, perfect for professional communications where efficiency is key.
Example scenario (Instant message):
Hi Chris,
Quick question about the quarterly review – is next Thursday at 2 PM feasible for you? If not, I’m happy to look at other options.
Thanks,
Lauren
13. Would You Be Able to Accommodate This Meeting Time?
This option is highly polite and shows respect for the recipient’s time and schedule.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Investor Presentation – Time Proposal
Dear Mr. Tanaka,
I hope this message finds you in good spirits. Regarding our upcoming investor presentation, would you be able to accommodate a meeting on Tuesday, April 5th, at 3 PM? We believe this timing would allow for comprehensive preparation and discussion.
If this doesn’t suit your schedule, please let me know your preferred time frames.
Warm regards,
Sophia Chen
CFO, TechInnovate Inc.
14. Does This Suggested Time Suit Your Availability?
This phrase is versatile and can be used in various professional settings, from emails to face-to-face conversations.
Example scenario (Video call):
“Hello Dr. Harris, I’m calling to follow up on our earlier conversation about the research collaboration. Does next Wednesday at 11 AM suit your availability for an in-depth discussion? We’re quite flexible if you need to suggest an alternative.”
15. Would This Time Frame Be Conducive to Your Schedule?
This sophisticated alternative is perfect for formal contexts where you want to demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
Example scenario (Formal letter):
Dear Professor Williams,
I trust this letter finds you well. In light of our upcoming symposium on climate change, would the time frame of September 15th, from 2 PM to 4 PM, be conducive to your schedule for delivering the keynote address? We’re honored by your participation and are eager to accommodate your preferences.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Emily Sato
Conference Chair
16. Is This Time Slot Compatible with Your Agenda?
This phrase acknowledges the recipient’s busy schedule while maintaining a professional tone.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Quarterly Strategy Meeting
Hello Team Leaders,
I’m writing to arrange our quarterly strategy meeting. Is the time slot of next Friday, 10 AM to 12 PM, compatible with your agendas? If this doesn’t work for anyone, please respond with your available times, and we’ll find a slot that accommodates everyone.
Best regards,
Marcus Johnson
Director of Operations
17. Would You Find This Time Acceptable for Our Meeting?
This alternative strikes a balance between politeness and directness, suitable for various professional communications.
Example scenario (Phone call):
“Good morning, Ms. Thompson. I’m calling about our upcoming contract negotiation. Would you find next Tuesday at 3 PM acceptable for our meeting? We can certainly adjust if you have other commitments.”
18. Could This Proposed Time Accommodate Your Schedule?
This option is highly considerate and works well in formal contexts where you want to show utmost respect for the recipient’s time.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Board Meeting – Date Proposal
Dear Board Members,
I hope this email finds you all well. In preparation for our annual board meeting, could the proposed date of July 20th, starting at 9 AM, accommodate your schedules? We understand the value of your time and are happy to explore alternative dates if needed.
Looking forward to your responses.
Sincerely,
Amanda Foster
Board Secretary
Pro tip: This formal alternative is ideal for high-level corporate communication, especially when dealing with executives or board members. It shows deference while still moving the scheduling process forward.
19. Is This Timing Convenient for Your Participation?
This phrase emphasizes the importance of the recipient’s involvement, making it great for scheduling meetings where their presence is crucial.
Example scenario (Email):
Subject: Client Presentation – Scheduling Request
Dear Mr. Patel,
I trust this message finds you well. We’re eager to present our findings from the recent market analysis. Is the timing of next Thursday at 2 PM convenient for your participation? Your insights would be invaluable to our discussion.
If this doesn’t align with your schedule, please suggest a more suitable time.
Best regards,
Sarah O’Connor
Senior Market Analyst
20. Would This Suggested Time Be Agreeable to You?
This formal alternative is perfect for professional communications where you want to maintain a high level of courtesy.
Example scenario (Formal letter):
Dear Dr. Yamamoto,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. Regarding our proposed collaboration on the upcoming medical research project, would the suggested time of August 3rd at 11 AM be agreeable to you for an initial discussion? We’re excited about the potential of this partnership and are eager to accommodate your schedule.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Michael Chen
Research Director, Global Health Initiative
Conclusion
Mastering the art of professional communication is key to success in any business environment. By expanding your repertoire of formal phrases, you can enhance your interactions and leave a lasting impression of competence and courtesy.
Remember, the choice of phrase often depends on the context, your relationship with the recipient, and the overall tone of your communication. Whether you’re scheduling appointments, arranging meetings, or simply trying to find a mutually convenient time, these alternatives to “Does that work for you?” will serve you well.
Emily Olivia is an experienced writer specializing in grammar and English language topics. With a passion for clarity and precision, she shares valuable insights on synonyms, grammar rules, and writing tips to help readers enhance their language skills on Grammar Path.
