Are you trying to figure out what time works best for someone in an email?
Maybe you want to arrange a meeting, but you’re worried about sounding rude or bossy.
Well, you have options!
This article will explain how to ask what time works best for you in an email to ensure you get an answer from the recipient.
7 Alternative Ways to Say “What Time Works Best For You”
Check out these 7 alternatives to learn another way to say what time works best for you:
- When is most convenient for you?
- What time is suitable for your schedule?
- Please let me know your preferred times
- When would be a good time for you?
- What time suits you?
- When would you like to schedule it?
- Feel free to share your preferred time
1. When Is Most Convenient for You?
You can ask for a convenient time by saying when is most convenient for you.
It’s a great way to keep things formal and polite.
It also shows that you’re willing to respect someone else’s schedule. So, it leaves them with the choice to decide when they’d like to meet with you and discuss something further.
Try it when emailing a coworker you’re working on a project with. It shows you’d like to meet with them, but you’re happy to work with their schedule.
Also, this example should help to clear some things up:
Dear Sue,
When is most convenient for you? I’d like to meet with you to discuss our next steps if that’s okay.
Yours,
Rebecca Sandhurst
2. What Time Is Suitable for Your Schedule?
You can also use what time is suitable for your schedule as a formal way to say what time works best for you.
It shows you’re happy to work around someone’s schedule.
Generally, this suggests that you’re more flexible than the recipient.
So, try using it when emailing a client. It shows that you’re trying to make things easy for them and want them to decide on a time that fits.
Here’s a great sample email to help you understand it if you’re still unsure:
Dear Miss Timms,
What time is suitable for your schedule? Feel free to give me a list of times, and I’ll choose what works best.
Warm regards,
Evan Arianna
3. Please Let Me Know Your Preferred Times
We also recommend using please let me know your preferred times.
This synonym isn’t a question. Instead, it’s a professional statement that shows you’re interested in someone else making the timing decisions.
Use it when emailing a business partner. It shows them that you’re happy for them to decide on a time that works for them, and you’ll make it suit your schedule too.
If you’re still unsure, check out this email sample:
Dear Mr. O’Neill,
Please let me know your preferred times. Then, I’ll ask the rest of the board, and we can work out when to meet.
All the best,
Jade Stone
4. When Would Be a Good Time for You?
We recommend writing when would be a good time for you instead of what time works best for you.
It shows that you’re happy for the recipient to pick when you meet them.
For instance, you can use it when emailing a coworker. It shows that you’d like a more friendly and personal meeting with them, and this phrase is a great way to highlight that.
Feel free to review this email sample if you’re still unsure:
Dear Jackson,
When would be a good time for you to meet with me? Have you thought any more about the dates I mentioned last week?
Kind regards,
Mathew Banner
5. What Time Suits You?
For something a little simpler, you can ask what time suits you.
This question shows that you’re leaving the decision up to the recipient.
It’s an effective way to show you respect and appreciate the recipient. Use it when emailing a prospective client who you haven’t had the chance to properly meet yet.
Check out the following sample email:
Dear Mr. Kirkland,
What time suits you? I’m excited to meet you at the event, so please let me know when you can find the time.
My best,
Joe Walters
6. When Would You Like to Schedule It?
You might also benefit from writing when would you like to schedule it. This is a great way to show that you’ve already planned a meeting but you need someone to decide on a time.
Try using it when emailing a client. It shows you’re happy for them to decide when you meet, just as long as they know that you need to meet with them about something important.
Also, you can review the following example to see how it works:
Dear Miss Adams,
When would you like to schedule it? This is an important meeting, but I’ll let you choose the final time.
Yours,
Eric Cantona
7. Feel Free to Share Your Preferred Time
Finally, we recommend using feel free to share your preferred time. It’s a great way to sound sincere and kind when asking someone what their schedule looks like.
Also, it gives the recipient a choice. They can look at their own schedule to determine what works for them rather than worrying about making it work for you.
You should refer to this example if you still need help with it:
Dear Mr. Gorr,
Feel free to share your preferred time with me when you have a clearer idea of your schedule next week.
Thank you so much,
Tom Healy
Is It Correct to Say “What Time Works Best For You”?
What time works best for you is correct to use in professional situations.
This phrase is a great choice when you’d like to arrange a meeting with your peers. It’s formal and direct, showing that you’d like to learn what suits someone’s schedule.
We highly recommend using it when setting up meetings with clients or business partners. It’s respectful and gets to the point quickly, showing you’re interested in learning their routine.
Here’s a great email sample showing you how to ask what time works best for you in an email:
Dear Mr. Baker,
What time works best for you? I think we should arrange this meeting to suit both of our schedules.
All the best,
Dan Ryder
Or, if you’d prefer not to use it as a standalone phrase, you can add a few more words to it. Using an extension helps you to sound more personal and sincere.
Also, starting the phrase with please let me know helps to remove the questioning tone.
For instance:
Dear Miss Tight,
Please let me know what time works best for you. I’d like to arrange this around your schedule if possible.
Best regards,
Melissa Fell
You may also find which time at the start of the phrase. This changes the question slightly, and you should know more about it before using it yourself.
Variation: Using which instead of what
- Correct: Which time works best for you?
- Correct: What time works best for you?
Using which works better when you’ve already selected times for someone to choose from. What is more generic and works when you haven’t already chosen times.
