Is it okay to say, " Sorry, I have another engagement" if someone invited you for dinner or lunch?
It meant that I needed to go somewhere else to meet a friend or see a movie or be invited to another party.
Thanks,
It meant that I needed to go somewhere else to meet a friend or see a movie or be invited to another party.
Thanks,
Hi,
A slightly different form of this is to say " Sorry, I have a previous engagement." This stresses that you have already made a commitment to someone else.
Best wishes, Clive
A slightly different form of this is to say " Sorry, I have a previous engagement." This stresses that you have already made a commitment to someone else.
Best wishes, Clive
Comments
It is a somewhat formal way of saying that you have other plans.
"Sorry, I have a previous engagement." Here, does 'engagement' mean an agreement between two people to marry?
It has different meaning from the one in discussion, hasn't it? (I have another engagement = I have another plan vs. I have a previous engagement = I'm engaged)
Thanks for your replies.
"Sorry, I have a previous engagement." Here, does 'engagement' mean an agreement between two people to marry?
Basically, to have an engagement means to have an appointment or commitment. In other words, I am busy with something/somebody. Thus, in a sense it can refer to both 'being busy' and 'love/marriage'. Usually, the context will make things very clear. eg
Q: Can you come for dinner on Saturday? A: Sorry, I can't, I have a previous engagment.
With regard to love/marriage, we usually say 'I am engaged' rather than 'I have an engagement'.
Best wishes, Clive
Thanks for your clear explanations.