INVITATION (PART 2)
Bahan Ajar 2
1.
Two
Friendly Ways to Invite Someone in English
Option 1: Start with a
simple question.
This is the more direct method.
It works well in less formal situations, whether you know someone well or
not, you can use these questions to make an invitation:
·Are you free to…? → Are you
free to catch up for coffee after class?
·Are you doing anything…? → Are
you doing anything on Sunday? Maybe we could hang out?
·Would you like to…? → Would you
like to catch a movie this weekend?
·Do you want to…? → Do you want
to go to the indoor climbing centre after work?
·Why don’t we…? → Why don’t we
go to that new exhibit at the museum?
·Do you wanna…? → Do you wanna
grab a bite after your meeting?
·Do you feel like…? → Do you
feel like seeing a gig on Friday night?
·How about…? → How about going to that festival together
on Saturday?
Option 2: Say what you would like.
You can use this for informal and more formal situations too.
The great thing about this way of making an invitation is you can
really make someone feel valued and important. So if you are building a
friendship with someone or want to change that acquaintance or colleague into a
friend, this is a great way to go.
There are two steps:
Step 1—Explain your event or plan
·I’m having … a
party/barbecue/get-together/house warming
·I’m hosting… a
party/barbecue/launch/dinner party
·I’m… getting married/turning
40/moving into my new place/going skating
·I’m thinking of… seeing a
movie/going to the museum/grabbing a bite/checking out that new restaurant
Step 2—Let them know what you would like.
·…and I wanted to invite you
·…and I was wondering if you
would like to come/join me
·…and I’d love it if you could
come/be there/join me/join us
·…and I was hoping you could
make it
·…and I hope you can come/be
there/join me/join us
·…and it would be great if you
can make it
This makes an invitation sound
really personal and makes the other person feel valued and important. So
definitely try this approach if you want to build a friendship.
Putting It All Together
This is what that might sound like when you put it all together in
a conversation:
Jane: I’m having a barbecue to celebrate
moving in to my new place and I’d love it if you could come.
Sarah: Sounds great, when is it?
Jane: Sunday the 3rd at 1pm.
Sarah: Awesome, I’ll look forward to it. What can I
bring?
Jane: There’s no need to bring anything, unless there is
something particular you would like to drink, there’ll be beer and soft
drink.
Sarah: Sure thing, I will
bring some white wine. Thanks for the invitation.
Accept
and Decline Invitations in English Easily
Say Yes
STEP 1: Say Thank You
·Thank you.
·Thanks for the invitation.
·That is so kind of you.
·Thanks for thinking of us.
·That sounds great.
·How wonderful!
·Awesome!
·How fun!
STEP 2: Be Clear about Your Yes
·We will be there. (Make
it clear who is coming so the host is sure, by saying for example: John
and I will be there, OR the kids and I will be there)
·We can’t wait.
·Count me in.
·We will be there will bells
on.*
·Wouldn’t miss it!
·Absolutely!
·I’ll be there for sure.
·I’d love to come.
·I’m in/ I’m down/ Sure thing
(Casual)**
** Last month, Kelly and I did a lesson on How to Make Plans with Friends with American vs.
Australian English. In that lesson, we talked about using “I’m in” and “I’m
down.”
STEP 3: Confirm the Details
·So we will see you on the 10th
then.
·We look forward to seeing you
there.
·How lovely! I can’t wait.
·It is going to be great!
·What would you like us to
bring?
·Let me know if I can help with
the preparations.
·Is there anything I can do to
help?
·Fabulous, see you then!
Say Maybe
STEP 1: Start with Thank You
·Thank you.
·Thanks for the invitation…
·That is so kind of you.
·Thanks for thinking of us.
·That sounds great.
·How wonderful!
·Awesome!
·How fun!
STEP 2: Use a Polite Way to Say Maybe*
·I’m not sure whether I can but I’ll
check my calendar and let you know.
·Perhaps I can make it. Let me check my
calendar.
·Perhaps I can reschedule
something. I will see what I can do.
How to Say No
STEP 1: Start with Thank You
·Thank you.
·Thanks for the invitation but…
·That is so kind of you.
·Thanks for thinking of us.
·I appreciate the invite but…
STEP 2: Explain You Cannot Go with an Apologetic Tone
·But I am not able to make it.
·But I am not able to come.
·But I’m sorry, I’m afraid we
can’t make it.
·Unfortunately I already have
plans.
·So sorry, I’ll have to take a
rain check.
·I would love to come but…
·That sounds fabulous but…
·I wish I could join you but…
·I am so sorry we can’t make it…
·It is a shame we can’t be
there…
·I am disappointed that I can’t
make it…
·That would have been wonderful,
so sorry we can’t be there.
STEP 3: Give a Simple, Clear Reason
·It is my sister’s birthday that
day.
·Joe leaves for his trip that
afternoon.
·The children have a school
event we have to attend.
·We will be away on vacation
then.
·We have a prior engagement.
·We already have plans.
·We have a clash in our
schedule.
STEP 4: Close Positively
·I hope it goes well.
·We will be thinking of you.
·Enjoy it!
·We will make it up to you
another day.
·I would love to catch up
another time.
·How about another time?
