Does that time suit you? (2025)

Hi, native speakers of English!

I've sometimes heard:

I can meet you at three at the station. Does that suit you?

My question is: Can you say "Does three o'clock suit you?" or "Does that time suit you?" as well?

Thank you in advance.

Edinburgher said:

I agree, all are fine, except that "would" would work better than "does".

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Thank you, Edinburgher and Florentia52. @Edinburgher: Is "would" better than "does" in terms of politeness, or in what sense, really? Can you tell me in what contexts you would use "would" and "does" in my questions in the OP?

Edinburgher said:

I think politeness is a major part of it, but there's also a factual aspect. If I ask "would that suit?" there is a suggestion that if it didn't suit I might be able to offer a different, more accommodating, arrangement, whereas "does that suit?" might hint that there is no such possibility -- if it doesn't suit, then I can't meet you at the station and you'll just have to get a bus or taxi.

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Thank you, Edinburgher. I understand your point.

However, I've just read another thread where an Irish person asks how to translate "Does that suit you?" into Spanish (with the same meaning we are discussing, i.e. whether it's convenient). I would like to ask again about the issue of politeness: Is it OK to use "Does..." if I'm talking to a close friend or a relative? Do you think this use of "Would..." is a personal preference of yours, or would it really be what most (native) people would expect to hear?

I wouldn't say it's necessarily impolite to use "does", but do feel it's more polite to use "would". The difference is perhaps not as crass as that between "do you want" and "would you like", but getting close.

I don't think it makes much difference whether you're talking to a close friend or to a total stranger, though I guess you might feel more obliged to be polite to a stranger.

What about if you're asking about various times and dates of the week? In such a case could you say what times and dates will suit you or would you be better off using hours in lieu of times? The only time I can recall hearing time as a plural Is when it concerns an era/period, like "in these strange times".

Would it make sense to say the following:

What days and times (hours) of the week will suit you?

Sheikh_14 said:

could you say what times and dates will suit you or would you be better off using hours in lieu of times?

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It is more natural to use time(s) than hour(s) for this.

Sheikh_14 said:

What days and times (hours) of the week will suit you?

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"Of the week" goes with "days". With "days" it would be "of the day". If context makes clear what you mean, it may be better to leave both out and ask "What days and times (will/would/) suit you?" -- You can use "suit" without "will/would".