Definition
A prearrangement is a presequence in which an attempt is made to arrange for later contact, as by means of a question-answer sequence determining the availability of one of the participants.
Discussion
Prearrangements are frequently indistinguishable from preinvitations except in context.
Examples
English
- In the following exchange, the prearrangement is expressed by means of a question-answer sequence determining the availability of one of the participants:
- A: Erm, what are you doing today?
- B: Er, well, I’m supervising at quarter past.
- A: Er, yuh, why don't, er, would you like to come by after that?
- B: I can't, I'm afraid, no.
Sources 1
- Levinson 1983, 347-348