Say it naturally - Making, Accepting And Declining Invitations

• “Hi, Caroline. What are you up to this weekend?”
• “Oh, really? I was hoping you’d be free, so you could go with us to the lake on Saturday.
• “Hi, Laura. What are you up to this weekend?”
• “No thanks, John. I really don’t care to go out with you.”
• “Thanks a lot for inviting me, John, but I’m not feeling very well, so I don’t think I’d better go out”
• “I’m sorry, but I already have plans”
• “No, I’m afraid I can’t because I’m busy”. “Plans”

• I would like to invite you to a reception next Sunday at my home (Formal)
• I would like to invite you to dinner at the new French restaurant (Formal)
• Would you care to join us for dessert and coffee?
• Would you like to go to Washington with me next month?
• I was wondering if you’d like to go to the pool on Saturday.
• I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner on Tuesday evening.

• Can you meet me at the gym after class for some basketball?
• Will you come over tomorrow night and watch the game with us?
• How about a movie tonight?
• What about a movie tonight?
• How about a quick game of pool before we go home?
• What about a quick game of pool before we go home?
• How about canoeing at the lake tomorow afternoon?
• What about canoeing at the lake tomorow afternoon?
• How about camping out at Mount Mitchell next weekend?
• What about camping out at Mount Mitchell next weekend?

• Why not jog with me this afternoon?
• Why don’t you jog with me this afternoon?
• Why not stop by for a visit on your way home?
• Why don’t you stop by for a visit on your way home?

• Thank you very much (Formal)
• Thanks for your invitation. I’d be delighted to. (Formal)
• Thanks for your invitation. I’d be love to. (Formal)
• Thanks. I’d like to have dinner with you on Monday.
• Thanks. I’d like to visit you next weekend at the beach.
• Sure.That would be fun.
• Sure.That would be wonderful.
• What a nice idea! I’d really like that.
• What a terrific idea! I’d really love to.
• What a nice idea! I’d really love to.
• Sounds great! (Informal)
• Sounds like fun! (Informal)
• Great! (Informal)
• Sure (thing)! (Informal)
• Super! (Informal)

• Thank you, but I’m afraid I have other plans for that night. (Formal)
• Thank you, but I’m afraid I have an appointment that day. (Formal)
• I’m sorry. I can’t go to the movie with you, I... (offer excuse)
• I’m sorry. I can’t join you in New York that weekend, I... (offer excuse)
• I wish I could, but I’m busy. Maybe another time, though.
• I hate to turn you down, but I must... (offer excuse)
• I would love to any other time, but I’ve already made plans.
• I would like to any other time, but I’ve already made plans.
• Thanks for asking, but... (offer excuse)
• I appreciate the invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t.
• I’m afraid I can’t, but thanks anyway.
• I’m tied up that day. What about the 14th?
• I’m tied up that night. What about a rain check?

• I’m not sure what my plans are at this moment. Could I let you know on Friday?
• I may be busy that day. Do you mind if I tell you in a few days?
• Well, I’m not sure, but I may be busy.
• Well, I’m not sure, but I may be playing golf.
• My plans for that day are still up in the air. I’ll let you know by Tuesday, if that’s okay with you.
• I appreciate the invitation, but I might have an appointment at that time. Could I let you know later this week?
• Thanks a lot for the invitation, but I’ll have to check my calendar. Could I get back to you tonight?