Ensuring a meeting proceeds as scheduled often involves a simple yet crucial question: “Are we still on?”. This phrase, along with variations like “Is our meeting still happening?”, “Confirming our meeting,” or “Just checking we’re still meeting,” is a staple in professional communication. Mastering how to ask this question effectively—considering context, tone, and grammar—is essential for smooth scheduling and avoiding misunderstandings. This guide will explore the nuances of this seemingly basic inquiry, providing clarity and confidence in your meeting confirmations.
This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the grammar, usage, and best practices for confirming meetings, ensuring clear and professional communication. By understanding the subtle differences in phrasing and context, you can confidently navigate scheduling and confirm that everyone is aligned and ready to proceed.
Table of Contents
- Definition: “Are We Still On?”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Confirmation Questions
- Examples of Meeting Confirmation Phrases
- Usage Rules and Best Practices
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Meeting Confirmation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition: “Are We Still On?”
The phrase “Are we still on?” is an informal yet widely understood way to confirm that a previously arranged meeting, appointment, or plan is still scheduled to take place as agreed. It’s a concise question designed to elicit a simple confirmation or, alternatively, to uncover any last-minute changes or cancellations.
Function: The primary function of “Are we still on?” is to proactively verify the status of a planned event. It serves as a double-check, ensuring that all parties involved are still prepared and available. This is particularly useful when some time has passed since the initial scheduling, or if there’s a possibility that circumstances might have changed.
Contexts: This phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from casual conversations with colleagues to slightly more formal email exchanges. The level of formality depends on your relationship with the person you’re addressing and the overall tone of your communication. For instance, you might use “Are we still on?” with a close coworker via instant message, while opting for a slightly more formal “Just confirming our meeting for tomorrow at 2 PM” in an email to a client.
Classification: Grammatically, “Are we still on?” is an interrogative clause (a question). It uses the auxiliary verb “are” to form the question, placing it before the subject “we.” The word “still” indicates that the meeting was previously agreed upon, and “on” is an adverbial particle indicating that the meeting is proceeding as planned.
Structural Breakdown
The question “Are we still on?” follows a basic interrogative structure in English. Understanding this structure can help you adapt the phrase for different situations and levels of formality.
Basic Structure:
Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Adverb (optional) + Particle/Adjective
In “Are we still on?”:
- Auxiliary Verb: “Are” (a form of the verb “to be”)
- Subject: “We” (the group of people involved in the meeting)
- Adverb: “Still” (indicating continuation from a previous state)
- Particle: “On” (functioning as an adverbial particle, meaning “proceeding as planned”)
Variations and Adaptations: You can modify this structure to create more formal or specific questions. For example:
- More Formal: “Is our meeting still scheduled for [date and time]?”
- More Specific: “Are we still meeting at [location]?”
- Adding Context: “Are we still on for our call this afternoon?”
Understanding the components of the phrase allows you to tailor your query to the specific situation, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Types and Categories of Confirmation Questions
Confirming a meeting can be approached in various ways, depending on the context, your relationship with the other person, and the level of formality required. Here are several categories of confirmation questions, ranging from informal to formal:
- Informal Questions: These are suitable for close colleagues, friends, or internal team members.
- Semi-Formal Questions: These are appropriate for general workplace communication, clients you have a good relationship with, or external partners.
- Formal Questions: These are best used for initial communication with clients, superiors, or in situations where a high degree of professionalism is required.
- Specific Detail Questions: These questions focus on confirming particular details like time, location, or agenda.
- Double-Check Questions: Used as a last-minute confirmation, often close to the meeting time.
Examples of Meeting Confirmation Phrases
The following tables provide examples of different ways to ask “Are we still on?” categorized by formality and specificity.
Informal Confirmation Phrases
This table provides informal ways to ask if a meeting is still happening, suitable for close colleagues and friends.
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| Still on? | Quick message to a close colleague. |
| We still good for tomorrow? | Casual check-in about a future meeting. |
| Meeting still happening? | Informal query about the meeting’s status. |
| Everything still set for later? | Checking if the plans for later are still valid. |
| Just checking we’re still meeting. | A friendly reminder, keeping it causal. |
| On for tomorrow? | Short and sweet confirmation request. |
| Still planning on meeting? | A direct, yet casual question. |
| Confirming our plans? | Simple confirmation, suitable for friends. |
| All good for our meeting? | Friendly way to ensure everything is still in place. |
| See you later today? | Assuming the meeting is still on, but seeking confirmation. |
| Up for our meeting? | Friendly way to ask if the meeting is still set. |
| Still meeting as planned? | Casual way to confirm the initial agreement. |
| Are we still set? | General inquiry if arrangements remain unchanged. |
| Meeting’s still on, right? | Seeking reassurance that the meeting is confirmed. |
| Ready for our meeting? | Informal way to check if the person is prepared. |
| See you then? | Assuming the meeting is on, but asking to confirm. |
| Still good to go? | Casual way to check if everything is ready. |
| Plans still firm? | Checking if the arrangements are still solid. |
| Still penciled in? | Informal way to confirm if the meeting is still scheduled. |
| Meeting’s a go? | Slang way to ask if the meeting is confirmed. |
| Can’t wait to see you later? | Friendly way to confirm whilst expressing excitement. |
| Everything good to go? | A casual question to confirm all the plans are still valid. |
| Still happening? | Very informal and direct question. |
| Are we still on track? | Casual way to ask if the meeting is going ahead as planned. |
| See you soon? | Assuming the meeting is still on, and confirming it. |
| Still planning to meet? | Casual way to confirm plans to meet. |
| All good for our chat? | Friendly way to confirm a casual meeting. |
| Looking forward to our meeting? | Friendly way to confirm the meeting. |
| Still on for our catch-up? | Very informal way to confirm a casual meeting. |
Semi-Formal Confirmation Phrases
This table shows semi-formal ways to check if a meeting is still scheduled, suitable for general workplace communication.
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| Just confirming our meeting for [date/time]. | A polite reminder of the scheduled meeting. |
| Checking in about our appointment on [date]. | Professional way to verify the appointment. |
| Are we still scheduled to meet on [date]? | Direct yet polite confirmation request. |
| Please confirm if our meeting is still on. | Requesting confirmation without being too direct. |
| I wanted to check if our meeting is still scheduled. | Polite way to inquire about the meeting. |
| Could you please confirm our meeting? | A formal yet polite request for confirmation. |
| Following up on our meeting scheduled for [date]. | Professional way to ensure the meeting is still valid. |
| Kindly confirm if we are still meeting. | A gentle and polite way to ask for confirmation. |
| Checking to see if our meeting will proceed as planned. | Professional and courteous way to check. |
| Please let me know if the meeting is still on. | Politely asking for an update on the meeting status. |
| Confirming our arrangement for [date]. | A professional confirmation request. |
| Are we still meeting as planned on [date]? | A clear and polite way to confirm the meeting. |
| Just a quick confirmation for our meeting. | Brief and professional way to confirm. |
| Wanted to confirm our meeting remains in the diary. | Professional and polite way to check availability. |
| Please confirm our meeting is still going ahead. | A polite request for confirmation. |
| Checking if our schedules still align for [date]. | Polite way to ensure mutual availability. |
| Just a reminder to confirm our meeting. | Gentle reminder for confirmation. |
| Confirming our discussion on [topic] is still set. | Professional way to confirm the meeting topic. |
| Are we still on for our discussion regarding [topic]? | Polite way to confirm the meeting’s agenda. |
| Could you please confirm our meeting time? | A polite request to confirm the meeting time. |
| Just verifying our meeting is still on. | Professional way to ensure the meeting is still valid. |
| Confirming our meeting remains unchanged. | Polite way to ensure the meeting details are the same. |
| Kindly confirm our meeting remains as scheduled. | A polite and professional confirmation request. |
| Just checking our meeting is still scheduled. | A polite and professional confirmation request. |
| Please confirm your availability for our meeting. | A polite and professional confirmation request. |
| Confirming your attendance at our meeting. | Polite way to confirm attendance. |
| Confirming our meeting is still set for tomorrow. | Polite way to confirm the meeting. |
| Checking in about our meeting tomorrow. | Professional way to check about the meeting. |
| Confirming our meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow. | A polite confirmation request. |
Formal Confirmation Phrases
This table lists formal ways to confirm a meeting, suitable for initial communication with clients or superiors.
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for [date and time]. | Formal confirmation, suitable for initial correspondence. |
| This email serves to confirm our upcoming meeting on [date]. | Very formal, often used in official communication. |
| We would like to confirm your attendance at the meeting on [date]. | Formal request for confirmation of attendance. |
| Please acknowledge receipt of this confirmation for our meeting. | Requesting acknowledgment to ensure the message was received. |
| We request confirmation that the meeting will proceed as planned. | Formal request for confirmation. |
| Kindly confirm your availability for the meeting on [date]. | Formal and polite request for confirmation. |
| This is to formally confirm our meeting on [date]. | Explicitly stating the purpose of the communication. |
| We appreciate your confirmation of the meeting at your earliest convenience. | Formal and polite request for a timely response. |
| We look forward to your confirmation regarding the meeting on [date]. | Expressing anticipation while requesting confirmation. |
| Please confirm whether our meeting is still scheduled to take place. | Formal inquiry about the meeting status. |
| We seek your confirmation that the meeting agenda remains unchanged. | Formal request to confirm the meeting’s agenda. |
| Your confirmation of the meeting details would be greatly appreciated. | Politely requesting confirmation of the meeting details. |
| We kindly request your confirmation of the meeting details. | Formal and polite request for confirmation. |
| We require your confirmation to proceed with the meeting arrangements. | Formal request needed before moving forward. |
| We are confirming our scheduled meeting on [date and time]. | A direct and formal confirmation. |
| We would like to confirm your participation in our meeting on [date]. | Formal request for confirmation of participation. |
| This serves as a formal confirmation of our meeting. | Explicitly stating the purpose of the communication. |
| We await your confirmation of the scheduled meeting. | Formal way to say you are waiting for confirmation. |
| We anticipate your confirmation of the meeting arrangements. | Formal request for confirmation of arrangements. |
| Please provide confirmation of your attendance at the upcoming meeting. | Formal request for attendance confirmation. |
| We seek your confirmation of our scheduled appointment. | Formal confirmation request. |
| Kindly provide confirmation of your presence at our meeting. | Formal request for confirmation of presence. |
| We look forward to receiving your confirmation of the meeting’s details. | Formal way to say you are waiting for confirmation. |
| We are writing to confirm our meeting, scheduled for tomorrow at [time]. | A formal way to confirm a meeting. |
| Please confirm your availability for our meeting tomorrow. | A formal way to confirm availability. |
| We are confirming that our meeting will be held tomorrow at [time]. | Another formal way to confirm. |
| Kindly confirm your attendance at our meeting tomorrow. | A formal way to confirm attendance. |
| This email serves as confirmation of our meeting tomorrow. | A formal written confirmation. |
| We are confirming our upcoming meeting, scheduled for tomorrow. | A formal way to confirm the meeting. |
Usage Rules and Best Practices
When using “Are we still on?” or any variation, consider these guidelines for effective communication:
- Timing: Send your confirmation request with enough lead time. A day or two before the meeting is usually appropriate. Sending it too early might lead to it being forgotten; sending it too late might not allow enough time to reschedule if needed.
- Context: Tailor your language to the context. A quick message to a colleague can be informal, while an email to a client should be more formal.
- Clarity: Be clear about which meeting you’re referring to, especially if multiple meetings are scheduled with the same person. Include the date, time, and topic if necessary.
- Tone: Maintain a polite and professional tone, even in informal communications. Avoid sounding demanding or accusatory.
- Response: Be prompt in responding to confirmation requests. This shows respect for the other person’s time and helps avoid misunderstandings.
Example Scenarios:
- Scenario 1: You have a meeting with a client next week. Send a semi-formal email a few days before: “Just confirming our meeting on Tuesday at 10 AM to discuss the project proposal.”
- Scenario 2: You have a daily check-in with your team. A quick message in your team’s chat: “Still on for our stand-up at 9:30?”
- Scenario 3: You scheduled a coffee meeting with a potential investor. Send a formal email a week before: “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for next Wednesday at 2 PM at [Coffee Shop]. Please let me know if this time still works for you.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a simple phrase like “Are we still on?”, mistakes can occur. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
- Being too vague: Avoid asking “Are we still on?” without specifying which meeting you’re referring to.
- Incorrect: “Are we still on?”
- Correct: “Are we still on for our meeting about the marketing strategy tomorrow at 3 PM?”
- Using an inappropriate tone: Avoid overly casual language in formal settings and vice versa.
- Incorrect (Formal Email): “Hey, still on for our chat?”
- Correct (Formal Email): “Just confirming our meeting for tomorrow. Please let me know if the scheduled time still works for you.”
- Forgetting to provide context: If there have been recent changes or discussions about rescheduling, mention them in your confirmation request.
- Incorrect: “Are we still on?” (After discussing a potential reschedule)
- Correct: “Following our conversation yesterday, I wanted to confirm if we are still meeting tomorrow at 10 AM, or if you would prefer the alternative time we discussed.”
- Not responding promptly: Ignoring confirmation requests can lead to confusion and missed meetings.
- Incorrect: Not replying to a confirmation email.
- Correct: Replying with a quick “Yes, confirmed” or “Looking forward to it.”
- Assuming confirmation: Never assume that a meeting is still on without explicit confirmation, especially if it was scheduled far in advance.
- Incorrect: Arriving at a meeting without confirming beforehand.
- Correct: Sending a confirmation request a day or two before the meeting.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of how to confirm meetings effectively with these practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Choose the Best Phrase
Select the most appropriate phrase for each scenario.
| Scenario | Possible Phrases | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Confirming a daily stand-up with your team. | A) “Are we still on?” B) “Please confirm our meeting.” C) “We request confirmation of the meeting.” | A) “Are we still on?” |
| Confirming a meeting with a new client. | A) “Still good for tomorrow?” B) “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for tomorrow.” C) “You still coming tomorrow?” | B) “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for tomorrow.” |
| Checking in with a colleague about a meeting next week. | A) “Just checking we’re still meeting next week.” B) “We await your confirmation of the scheduled meeting.” C) “Hey, still on?” | A) “Just checking we’re still meeting next week.” |
| Confirming a meeting that you had to reschedule. | A) “Are we still on?” B) “Following our conversation, I’d like to confirm our meeting.” C) “Confirming our meeting, as previously scheduled.” | B) “Following our conversation, I’d like to confirm our meeting.” |
| Confirming a meeting with your manager. | A) “Still good for our meeting?” B) “Please confirm our meeting.” C) “Are we still meeting at the same time?” | C) “Are we still meeting at the same time?” |
| A meeting with a potential investor. | A) “Still on for our meeting?” B) “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for next week.” C) “Are we still set for our meeting?” | B) “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for next week.” |
| A regular weekly meeting with your team. | A) “Still on for our usual meeting?” B) “We seek your confirmation that the meeting agenda is still the same.” C) “Yo, we still meeting?” | A) “Still on for our usual meeting?” |
| A casual catch-up with a friend. | A) “Still on for our coffee?” B) “This email serves to confirm our upcoming meeting.” C) “We require your confirmation to proceed with the meeting arrangements.” | A) “Still on for our coffee?” |
| A meeting with a vendor. | A) “We still meeting?” B) “I would like to confirm your attendance at the meeting.” C) “Are we still meeting?” | B) “I would like to confirm your attendance at the meeting.” |
| A daily meeting with your project team. | A) “Still on?” B) “Please confirm our meeting remains unchanged.” C) “Please confirm the meeting is still going ahead.” | A) “Still on?” |
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Phrases
Rewrite the following phrases to be more formal or informal, as indicated.
| Original Phrase | Desired Tone | Rewritten Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| “Are we still on?” | Formal | “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for [date and time].” |
| “I am writing to confirm our meeting scheduled for [date and time].” | Informal | “Still on for our meeting?” |
| “Just confirming our meeting for tomorrow.” | More Formal | “We are writing to confirm our meeting, scheduled for tomorrow at [time].” |
| “Please confirm your availability for our meeting.” | Informal | “Still good for our meeting?” |
| “Still good for our meeting?” | More Formal | “Please confirm your availability for the meeting.” |
| “We are confirming that our meeting will be held tomorrow at [time].” | Informal | “See you tomorrow?” |
| “See you tomorrow?” | More Formal | “We are confirming that our meeting will be held tomorrow at [time].” |
| “Meeting tomorrow?” | More Formal | “I am writing to confirm our meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow.” |
| “I am writing to confirm our meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow.” | Informal | “Meeting tomorrow?” |
| “Kindly confirm your attendance at our meeting tomorrow.” | Informal | “Still planning on coming tomorrow?” |
Advanced Topics in Meeting Confirmation
For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of meeting confirmation:
- Cultural Differences: Communication styles vary across cultures. In some cultures, direct confirmation is expected, while in others, it may be seen as distrustful. Research the communication norms of the people you’re meeting with.
- Implied Confirmation: Sometimes, confirmation is implied through other actions, such as sending pre-meeting materials or confirming travel arrangements. However, it’s always best to seek explicit confirmation to avoid misunderstandings.
- Using Technology: Leverage technology to automate meeting confirmations. Scheduling tools often include automatic reminders and confirmation requests.
- Dealing with Ambiguity: If you receive a vague or unclear response to your confirmation request, follow up with specific questions to clarify the meeting status.
- When to Follow Up: If you don’t receive a response to your initial confirmation request, send a follow-up message closer to the meeting date.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Is “Are we still on?” too informal for professional communication?
A: It depends on the context. With close colleagues or internal team members, it’s perfectly acceptable. However, for clients, superiors, or initial communications, it’s best to use a more formal phrase like “Just confirming our meeting for [date and time].”
- Q: How far in advance should I confirm a meeting?
A: A day or two before the meeting is generally a good timeframe. This provides enough time for adjustments if needed but is close enough to the meeting that it remains fresh in everyone’s mind.
- Q: What should I do if someone doesn’t respond to my confirmation request?
A: Send a polite follow-up message. You could say, “Just wanted to double-check on our meeting tomorrow. Please let me know if the scheduled time still works for you.” If you still don’t receive a response, consider calling to confirm.
- Q: How do I confirm a meeting that has been rescheduled multiple times?
A: Be extra clear in your confirmation request. State the new date and time explicitly: “Following our previous discussions, I wanted to confirm our meeting is now scheduled for [date and time].”
- Q: What’s the best way to handle a last-minute cancellation?
A: Apologize for any inconvenience caused and offer to reschedule as soon as possible. Be flexible and accommodating to find a new time that works for everyone.
- Q: Can I automate meeting confirmations?
A: Yes, many scheduling tools offer automated reminders and confirmation requests. These can be a great way to save time and ensure that meetings are confirmed without manual effort.
- Q: Is it rude to ask “Are we still on?”
A: Not if it’s asked politely and in the right context. It’s a practical way to ensure everyone is on the same page. However, avoid sounding demanding or accusatory.
- Q: How do I confirm a meeting when I’m unsure if the other person remembers it?
A: Start by gently reminding them of the meeting’s purpose and context: “Just wanted to confirm our meeting about [topic] on [date and time]. We had scheduled it to discuss [briefly mention the agenda].”
Conclusion
Mastering the art of confirming meetings, including how to effectively ask “Are we still on?”, is crucial for professional success. By understanding the nuances of language, tone, and context, you can ensure clear communication, avoid misunderstandings, and maintain positive relationships. Remembering to tailor your approach based on the situation, whether using informal phrases with close colleagues or more formal language with clients and superiors, is key. Proactive confirmation shows respect for others’ time and demonstrates your commitment to effective collaboration.
Always remember to provide sufficient lead time, be clear about the meeting details, and respond promptly to confirmation requests. By following the guidelines and best practices outlined in this article, you can confidently navigate meeting confirmations and ensure that your schedules run smoothly. With diligent practice and attention to detail, confirming meetings will become second nature, contributing to your overall effectiveness and professionalism.
