How to Express and Respond to an Invitation

When we want to request the presence or participation of someone, especially to request them to come or go to some place, gathering, entertainment, etc., or to do something, we need to make an invitation. Invitations, spoken or written, must be made in a kindly, courteous, or complimentary way. Here, we will learn about some of the most common English expressions used when someone wants to make and respond to an invitation politely. Please notice the form of the verbs used in different expressions.

What do you say if you want to make an invitation?

Making an Invitation
I would like We would like you	to invite you to my birthday party. to join us. to go with us.
Would you like Do you want	to take a nice walk? to join us? to go with us? to see a film tonight?
How about What about Do you feel like	taking a nice walk? joining us? going with us? seeing a film tonight?
Shall we Will you Would you Why don't we	eat out tonight? come to my party?
Let's	take an afternoon walk.
How about What about Would you like	a nice walk? a cup of coffee? some cold drink?

What do you say if you want to respond to an invitation?

Accepting an Invitation	Refusing an Invitation
That’s great. That’s alright. That’s a good idea. OK. I will.	I’d love to, but I'm afraid I can’t. I’m sorry I can’t. Well, I’d rather not go out in this weather. Thanks for inviting, but I really have to study.

Exercise

Now read and practice the dialogues below and answer the questions.

A. Dialogue 1

Lydia: What about going to the beach this weekend?
Ann: That’s a good idea, I’d love to. How are we going there?
Lydia: By motorcycle. I think it will be nice.
Ann: And what about our meals?
Lydia: We can have lunch at a restaurant there.
Ann: What time are we going?
Lydia: What about eight? I'll pick you up.
Ann: Alright. See you.
Questions:

1. Please copy the sentence(s) expressing an invitation in the above dialogue.
2. Who has the idea of going to the beach?
   
3. What does she say to express her invitation?
   
4. Does the other speaker accept the invitation? What does she say?
   
5. How are they going to the beach?
   

B. Dialogue 2

Jimmy: We’re going to a basketball game on Sunday and we’ve got an extra ticket. Would you like to join us?
Aldo: That sounds nice, but I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a mathematics test on Monday. I have to study. Thanks for inviting me, though.
Jimmy: Are you sure? Sharon’s going to go too.
Aldo: Oh, how’s Sharon doing?
Jimmy: She’s doing fine. She has a new car.
Aldo: Well, I really can’t go, but say hi to her for me, OK?
Jimmy: O.K. I will.
Questions:

1. Please copy the sentence(s) expressing an invitation in the above dialogue.
2. What does Jimmy offer Aldo to do?
3. Does Aldo agree to go?
4. What does Aldo say to respond to the invitation?
5. What is his excuse?
6. Do you think he refuses the invitation politely?

C. Dialogue 3

Nia: Rita, how are you going to spend this weekend tomorrow?
Rita: I have no idea. I’ll probably just stay at home, as usual.
Nia: Well, Alya and I are planning to go to the beach. Would you like to join us?
Rita: That sounds great. What time?
Alya: What about 8 a.m.?
Rita: I think that's too early. What about 9?
Alya: Alright. We’ll pick you up at 9. See you, Rita.
Rita: Alright. See you.
Questions:

1. Please copy the sentence(s) expressing an invitation in the above dialogue.
2. What invitation does Alya make to Rita?
3. Does Rita accept it?
4. What does Rita say to respond to the invitation?
5. Where will will they meet? What time?

D. Role Play

Now let’s practice what you have learnt about spoken invitations. Construct a short dialogue in which you invite a friend to do the following:

1. Have lunch at the Mc Donald’s
2. Go shopping in the mall
3. Take a walk in the park
4. Go fishing
5. Go to the cinema

Your Practice Zone

📘 Imperative Sentences and Polite Requests 📘 English Dialogue With Passive Voice: The Invitation 📘 "Would you like" VS "Do you like": What's the Difference? 📘 How to Make and Respond to Offers