Making, Accepting and Refusing Invitations

Making, accepting and refusing invitations in English is an important skill for everyday conversation, polite social interaction, and exam speaking. In this lesson, you will learn useful phrases for making, accepting and refusing invitations in English more naturally and confidently.

Inviting someone, accepting an invitation, or turning one down politely are all important communication skills in English. These phrases are useful in everyday life, but they are also very helpful for speaking and writing tasks in Cambridge exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced.

In English, we do not always use the same simple expressions again and again. Instead, we choose different phrases depending on the situation, the person we are speaking to, and how formal we want to sound. 

In this lesson, you will learn useful phrases for:

• checking if someone is free
• making invitations
• accepting invitations politely
• refusing invitations without sounding rude
• writing invitations in emails and messages

Let us look at the most common and natural ways to do all of this in English.

How to Ask If Someone is Free

Before inviting someone, it is often a good idea to check whether they are available. This makes the invitation sound more natural and polite.

Here are some common ways to ask:

• Are you free on Saturday morning?
• Are you doing anything tonight?
• What are you doing after work?
• Do you have any plans for the weekend?
• Are you around this evening?
• Have you got anything on tomorrow?

These questions are useful because they help you introduce the invitation more naturally.

For example:

• Are you doing anything this Friday evening?
• Do you have any plans for Sunday?
• Are you free after class today?

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How to Make an Invitation

We can invite people in both informal and formal ways. The expression we choose depends on who we are inviting and what the occasion is.

1. Do you want to…?

This is a very common and informal way to invite someone.

• Do you want to join us for a drink after work?

2. Would you like to…?

This is one of the most useful invitation phrases in English. It is polite, natural, and suitable for many situations.

• Would you like to come to the concert with us?

3. Why don’t we…? / Why don’t you…?

These forms are often used for suggestions and invitations.

• Why don’t we go for a picnic on Saturday?

4. Let’s…

This is a direct and friendly way to suggest doing something together.

• Let’s go out for coffee.

5. How about…?

This is another very natural way to make a suggestion or invitation.

• How about going to the pub tonight?

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Other Useful Ways to Invite Someone

English offers many other invitation phrases, and learning them will make your speech sound more varied and natural.

• Would you be interested in joining us tomorrow?
• Do you feel like coming round for a meal on Sunday?
• I’d like to invite you to my birthday party on Thursday evening.
• I was wondering if you’d like to join us for a game of cards.
• We’d be very pleased if you could join us.
• We would be honoured if you could come.
• I’m having a few friends over this weekend. Would you like to come?

A small note: in natural modern English, I invite you to my birthday party is understandable, but I’d like to invite you to my birthday party sounds warmer and more natural.

How to Accept an Invitation

When you accept an invitation, it is polite to show appreciation. That is why expressions with thank you are very common.

Here are some useful phrases:

• Thank you, I’d love to.
• Thanks, I’d be delighted.
• Thank you very much. I’d be honoured.
• That sounds lovely.
• That sounds great.
• Sure, I’d love to.
• With pleasure.
• What a great idea. What time?
• I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

For example:

• Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?
  Thanks, I’d love to.
• Do you want to join us for a walk later?
  That sounds great.
• We’d be very pleased if you could attend the event.
  Thank you very much. I’d be delighted to come.

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How to Refuse an Invitation Politely

Refusing an invitation can feel awkward, but English has many polite ways to do it. In general, it is best to:

• thank the person
• apologise briefly
• give a reason if appropriate
• soften the refusal with a friendly ending

Here are some useful phrases:

• I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ve already made plans.
• I’d love to, but I’m really busy at the moment.
• Thank you for the invitation, but I need to study for my test.
• I’m afraid I can’t because I’m looking after my sister’s children.
• Sorry, I won’t be able to make it.
• That sounds lovely, but I’m not free that day.
• Thanks very much for asking, but I have something else on.
• Maybe some other time.
• I’d love to, but I’ve got a lot on this week.

One phrase from your original version needs a little adjustment.

I don’t want to sound rude, but… is possible, but it can sound slightly awkward in everyday invitations. Usually, a softer and more natural response would be:

• I’d love to, but my parents are visiting that weekend.
• That’s very kind of you, but I’m busy on Saturday.

Example conversations

Conversation 1

A: Are you free on Sunday afternoon?

B: Yes, I am. Why do you ask?

A: Well, my husband and I are having a few friends over for lunch. Would you like to come?

B: Yes, I’d love to. What time should I come?

A: Around 2 pm.

B: Shall I bring anything?

A: No, thank you. That won’t be necessary.

Conversation 2

A: Do you have any plans for the weekend?

B: Well, I need to finish a report for work.

A: I was wondering if you’d like to come with us to London.

B: I’d love to, but I’m really busy. Thanks anyway. Maybe some other time.

Conversation 3

A: Are you doing anything tonight?

B: Not really.

A: How about going out for a coffee?

B: That sounds great.

Conversation 4

A: Would you like to join us for dinner on Friday?

B: Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t. I’m visiting my aunt that evening.

A: No problem. Maybe another time.

B: Yes, definitely.

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How to Write an Invitation

Invitations can also be written in emails, messages, or letters. The style depends on the situation and the person you are writing to.

Here are some useful written invitation phrases:

• I’m writing to invite you to…
• We are organising a party, and we would love it if you could come.
• We would be honoured if you could join us.
• You are invited to attend…
• I’d like to invite you to…
• I hope you’ll be able to join us.
• Please let me know if you can make it.

Example of an informal written invitation

Hi Emma,

I’m having a few friends round for dinner on Saturday evening, and I’d love you to come. We’re planning to start at about 7 pm. Let me know if you can make it.

Best,

Tom

Example of a more formal written invitation

Dear Mr and Mrs Wilson,

We would be delighted if you could join us for our daughter’s wedding reception on Saturday, 14th June, at 5 pm. The event will be held at the Grand Hotel. Please let us know if you are able to attend.

Kind regards,

The Brown family

Making, Accepting and Refusing Invitations: Tips for Learners

When you learn phrases for invitations, it is tempting to collect a few useful sentences and try to memorise them. But real conversations do not work quite like that.
Imagine a friend inviting you to dinner, a colleague asking you to join them for coffee, or someone inviting you to a more formal event. The words you choose will depend on the situation. Some invitation phrases sound relaxed and friendly, while others are more polite or formal.
It is also important to notice what happens after the invitation. How do people accept naturally? How can they refuse without sounding rude? Often, the small expressions around the main sentence are what make the conversation sound warm and genuine.
A good way to practise is through short dialogues. This helps you see the phrases in context and understand how people actually use them. After all, invitations are not only about correct grammar. They are also about making the other person feel welcome.

Related posts:

• Asking for and Giving Permission
• Asking for, Giving and Responding to Advice
• How to Ask for Clarification in English
• Making, Accepting, and Rejecting Suggestions
• Ways to Complain in English
• How to Express Your Opinion in English
• Polite Requests in English

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