Expressions to Invite, Accept and Decline 

Expression to invite someone :

1.      You can use these expressions to invite someone :

ü  Shall we come to……….?

ü  Can You come to………..?

ü  Would/Will you like to come…..?

ü  I’d very much like you to come…

ü   I’ll really happy if you come to….

2.      You can use these expressions to accept an invitation :

ü  Yes, certainly I will come..

ü  I’d love to

ü  I’d like to love to come.

ü  I would, very much.

ü  Thank you very much for inviting me.

3.      You can use these expressions to decline an invitation :

           I’m terribly sorry. I don’t think I can.

     I’m very sorry, I can’t.

     Thank you very much, but……

    Thank you for asking me,but….

Invitation

Do you know how to invite someone to your house for dinner or to go to the movies?
What do you say in English when someone invites you?
Here are some examples of common expressions you can use when making or responding to invitations

Inviting:

·         Do you want to go to the movies tonight?

·         Would you like to go to the theater tomorrow?

·         Would you be interested in going to the the stadium next Sunday?

·         How do you fancy going to the the restaurant for dinner?

·         How about going to the movies?

·         Care to come over for lunch?

·         I was just wondering if you would like to come over for a drink.

·         We'd be delighted to have you over for my birthday party.

Accepting invitations:

·         Sure. What time?

·         I'd love to, thanks.

·         That's very kind of you, thanks.

·         That sounds lovely, thank you.

·         What a great idea, thank you.

·         Sure. When should I be there?

Declining invitations:

·         I can't.  I have to work.

·         This evening is no good.  I have an appointment.

·         I'm busy tomorrow.  Can I take a rain check* on that? 

·         That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else this afternoon.

·         Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the restaurant.

·         I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on.

·         I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else.

(*rain check: used to tell someone that you cannot accept invitations now, but would like to do so at a later time)

Dialogue:

Mike and Ann are in a wedding party:

Mike:	Do you want to dance?
Ann:	No thanks. I'm a bit tired right now
Mike:	How about having a drink?
Ann:	Sure, I'd love to!