a fixed appointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fixed appointment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an appointment that you have scheduled ahead of time, and will not change. For example, "I have a fixed appointment with my doctor at 3 p.m. tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Bad service is unforgivable in public servants, but it is rarely compared fairly with knavish behaviour in the private sector: what public service would dare tell you to stay in all day to get a washing machine repaired without a fixed appointment?

The Guardian - Opinion

The ACS patients were examined within 3 5 days after the cardiac event and the healthy control patients received a fixed appointment for the examination.

BMC Oral Health

Every 2 years, eligible women get a personal invitation letter with a fixed appointment for a screen examination in one of the mostly mobile screening units.

British Journal of Cancer

A fixed appointment system with a specific time for each patient is not practiced in these two hospitals, which lead to a significant waiting time for the patients prior to the consultation.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

We decided to use a letter with a fixed appointment date for the three study arms because it has been endorsed by different studies [ 12], and we could compare this intervention with other screening strategies as well as with the control group.

BMC Women's Health

Operating a drop-in format, rather than smokers arranging a fixed appointment, which is commonplace for traditional SSS, may have been particularly suitable for those accessing the MSSS; although it is noted that traditional SSS are beginning to offer drop-in services and these have been reported to be effective [ 23].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The postdoc years can be extremely stressful due to a variety of factors: many postdoc positions are low-pay and without fixed appointment lengths.

Harvard University

Moving the arrival stream of customers relative to fixed appointment times will alter the relationship between patient service and appointment times, but will not necessarily alter waiting times.

BMJ Open

After so long in prison, he says he now dislikes fixed appointments, and was startled at the sheer number of Gazans who have turned out to greet the former prisoners.

The New York Times

Drop-ins differ from one-to-one support in that they operate without fixed appointments and number and timings of sessions are less fixed (3).

BMC Health Services Research

The clinics reported by Kennedy and colleagues [ 14] retained fixed appointments for those who had unstable IBD disease or who were newly diagnosed and needed the reassurance of regular meetings.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling something important, confirm that it is "a fixed appointment" to ensure that all involved parties are aware it cannot be easily changed.

Common error

Do not use "a fixed appointment" when referring to tentative arrangements; use it specifically when the appointment's time and date are certain and unchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fixed appointment" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'make', 'have', 'schedule') or as a complement describing a scheduled event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fixed appointment" is a noun phrase used to describe a scheduled meeting or engagement that is considered firm and not easily changeable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including science, news, and academia. When writing, use it to ensure clarity about the firmness of a scheduled event and avoid using it for tentative arrangements. Alternatives like "a scheduled appointment" or "a prearranged meeting" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scheduled appointment

Emphasizes the appointment is part of a schedule.

a prearranged meeting

Highlights the prior arrangement of the meeting.

a booked slot

Focuses on the reservation aspect of the appointment.

an established engagement

Stresses the commitment aspect of the appointment.

a confirmed reservation

Highlights the confirmation of the appointment.

an unchangeable appointment

Implies rigidity and lack of flexibility in rescheduling.

a predetermined time

Focuses on the aspect that the time is set in advance.

a set time

Simpler way to indicate a previously arranged time.

a scheduled obligation

Highlights the compulsory nature of the appointment.

a hard appointment

Suggests the appointment is difficult or impossible to move.

FAQs

What does "a fixed appointment" mean?

The term "a fixed appointment" refers to a scheduled meeting or engagement that has a specific date and time, and is generally considered unchangeable unless under extraordinary circumstances.

How can I use "a fixed appointment" in a sentence?

You might say, "I have "a fixed appointment" with the dentist next Tuesday, so I can't reschedule our meeting."

What can I say instead of "a fixed appointment"?

You can use alternatives like "a scheduled appointment", "a prearranged meeting", or "a confirmed reservation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a fixed appointment" in formal communication?

Yes, "a fixed appointment" is suitable for formal communication when you need to clearly convey that an arrangement is firm and not easily adjustable.