This is a common question I get asked by my ESL students. Should I say ask “any plan or any plans?” It’s a good question so I put together this blog post.
Should we say “Do you have any plans OR a plan?”
Any plans = what are you going to do? (plans is plural)
A plan = is used when you have a specific goal in mind, it is not used to ask about what someone is going to do during a certain time.
I’ll break down the meaning in this post with lots of natural examples that you can use in your own English conversations.
plan noun something that you intend to do or achieve
- There’s been a change of plan.
- She told us about her future plans.
oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com – plan
plan verb to make detailed arrangements for something you want to do in the future
- I’m planning a big party this weekend. I hope you can come.”
- Everything happened as planned.
oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com – plan_2
The noun form of PLAN is the version that we use in this expression.
Do you have any plans?
“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” is a very common question in North America. It is something that you’re very likely to hear on Friday after work. “Plan” is always used in the plural (“plans”), and this expression means: “What are you going to do this weekend?”
- “Hey Mike! Do you have any plans this weekend?”
- “If you haven’t got any plans tomorrow why don’t you come over for a barbeque.”
Do you have a plan?
“Do you have a plan?” is used when you have a specific goal in mind, it is never used to just ask about what someone is going to do during a certain time. Here is an example of when we might use this question.
A: I am going to start a business.
B: What is your plan?
A: I will open a restaurant that sells the world’s best hamburgers.
| Wrong: |
| Right: Do you have any plans for tonight? |
| Wrong: |
| Right: Do you have any plans for the weekend? |
What are you planning?
We can also ask What are you planning?
“What are you planning to do this weekend?” has the same meaning as “Do you have any plans for the weekend?”
What are you planning for (something)
- “What are you planning for Theresa’s birthday party? Can I help?”
“Do you have any plans for the weekend? Do you want to see a movie with me?”
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