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5 Business English Phrases for Plans That Aren’t Final Yet
- Erin West
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Can we tell customers when the new product will be ready?
You have a possible launch date, but the testing is not finished. You do not want to announce a date that might still change.
In this article, you’ll learn five Business English phrases for plans that aren’t final yet. You’ll see how professionals use them in real workplace situations.
For more practical language for uncertain situations at work, see our main guide: Handling Uncertainty at Work.
Quick Guide: 5 Business English Phrases for Plans That Aren’t Final Yet
Here’s a quick look at five phrases for discussing plans that aren’t final yet.
What you need to say | Expression | Example |
A date has not been confirmed. | hasn’t been finalized | We haven’t finalized the opening date. |
A plan is still flexible. | not set in stone | Wednesday isn’t set in stone. |
A date might change. | subject to change | The meeting time is subject to change. |
You want to schedule something temporarily. | pencil something in | Let’s pencil in the meeting for Thursday. |
You want to confirm an arrangement. | lock something in | We can lock in the date tomorrow. |
Below, you’ll see how these phrases work in realistic workplace situations.
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Workplace Scenario
Read the situation below.
Is the Bike Helmet Ready?
|
What would you say to your marketing manager?
Say your answer out loud before you continue.
Listen to the sample response
Workplace Quiz: Is the Bike Helmet Ready?
Choose the word that best completes the response. Then listen to the full response again.
Well, I wouldn’t put October 3 on the flyers yet. The launch date hasn’t been _____ because we still need to make sure the app sends the right location. I mean, if someone gets hurt, that has to work, right? We can still show the helmet. Just leave the date off the flyers for now.
A) concluded
B) completed
C) finalized
D) implemented
Answer
That’s right! The correct answer is C) finalized.
Well, I wouldn’t put October 3 on the flyers yet. The launch date hasn’t been finalized because we still need to make sure the app sends the right location. I mean, if someone gets hurt, that has to work, right? We can still show the helmet. Just leave the date off the flyers for now.
Learn what not finalized means here.
Video: Using “Hasn’t Been Finalized” to Talk About Unconfirmed Plans
Watch the full scenario and model response. Notice how the product manager uses hasn’t been finalized to explain why the launch date shouldn’t appear on the flyers.
5 Business English Phrases for Plans That Aren’t Final Yet
Here are five Business English phrases for plans that aren’t final yet. Use this practical workplace vocabulary to explain when dates may change and when they are ready to confirm.
NOT YET FINALIZED
expressions
not confirmed
The opening date hasn’t been finalized yet. We’re still waiting for the fire inspection.
We haven’t finalized the training schedule because one instructor is still out sick.
NOT SET IN STONE
idiom
not final and still possible to change
The training date isn’t set in stone. We can move it if the new machines aren’t ready.
Friday isn’t set in stone, so let’s wait until the photographer confirms.
What does "Nothing is set in stone yet" mean?
Answer
What does "Nothing is set in stone yet" mean?
A) The decision is final
B) Changes are no longer possible
C) Everything has been confirmed
D) Nothing is final yet
The correct answer is D.
Review the meaning here.
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SUBJECT TO CHANGE
phrase
not guaranteed to stay the same and may change later
The delivery schedule is subject to change if the storm gets worse.
We can share the dates, but they’re still subject to change.
PENCIL SOMETHING IN
phrasal verb
to make a temporary plan for a date or time
Let’s pencil in Thursday for the photo shoot and confirm once the samples arrive.
I’ve penciled in the safety training for Tuesday, but the instructor hasn’t confirmed yet.
What does "Let's pencil it in for Tuesday" mean?
Answer
What does "Let's pencil it in for Tuesday" mean?
A) Schedule it for Tuesday for now
B) Change it to Wednesday
C) Confirm Tuesday as the final date
D) Cancel Tuesday's meeting
The correct answer is A.
Review the meaning here.
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LOCK SOMETHING IN
phrasal verb
to confirm a date, time, or arrangement so it is no longer likely to change
We can’t lock in the launch date until the app passes another test.
Let’s lock in Friday before the photographer takes another booking.
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Practice What You’ve Learned: Take the Quiz
Choose the word or expression that best completes each sentence.
Answer Key
1. We can’t _____ a date for recording until the sound engineer confirms she’s available.
A) phase out
B) lock in
C) wind down
The correct answer is B.
2. High winds might make it unsafe to use the crane, so the schedule is subject to _____.
A) corrosion B) vibration C) change
The correct answer is C.
3. The restaurant’s reopening date isn’t _____ in stone. We can move it if the repairs take longer.
A) set
B) sat
C) kept
The correct answer is A.
Knowing the Phrases Is One Thing. Using Them Is Another.
You’ve learned the phrases. Now practice using them in a real workplace situation.
A quick look at the situation:
Your company is preparing an announcement with an international partner.
They want to include a satellite launch date, but the launch company hasn’t confirmed it.
What would you say to your partner?
In this 10-step microlearning program, you’ll work through two workplace scenarios and review the phrases. Give your response, listen to a natural model answer, and try again.