make an appointment

Meaning

This phrase means to arrange a formal agreement to meet someone at a specific time and place, usually for professional, medical, or business reasons. It is a key collocation used when scheduling with clients, doctors, or business partners.

Examples

• I need to call the clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Smith.

  I need to call the clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Smith.

• You should make an appointment to discuss your career options with HR.

  You should make an appointment to discuss your career options with HR.

• Can I make an appointment to see the property developer tomorrow morning?

  Can I make an appointment to see the property developer tomorrow morning?

• She had to make an appointment weeks in advance because the consultant was so busy.

  She had to make an appointment weeks in advance because the consultant was so busy.

• Please go online if you want to make an appointment for a visa interview.

  Please go online if you want to make an appointment for a visa interview.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to take an appointment with the manager.

  ✓ I want to make an appointment with the manager.

  In English, you 'make' or 'book' an appointment. You do not 'take' one (which is a common direct translation from languages like French or Spanish).

• ✗ We should do an appointment for next Monday.

  ✓ We should make an appointment for next Monday.

  The correct verb collocation is 'make', not 'do'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to see the lawyer, you must ___ first.

  💡 arrange a time to meet

  Show answer

  make an appointment

• I called the dentist to ___ for next Thursday.

  💡 schedule a visit

  Show answer

  make an appointment