Making Suggestions, Offers and Invitations

Making Suggestions, Offers and Invitations in English

One of the nicest things about English is how many polite, friendly, and natural ways it gives us to interact with other people. We don’t just say things — we suggest, offer, and invite. And if you want to sound confident, kind, and fluent, this is the language you will use every single day. Making suggestions, offers and invitations

Think about it. We suggest plans. We offer help. We invite people for coffee, dinner, or adventures we may or may not actually go on.

In today’s lesson, you’ll learn simple, natural, everyday English for making suggestions, offers and invitations

Let’s take them one by one.

Making suggestions

We use suggestions when we want to share an idea or propose a plan.

The most common and friendly ways

Two of the most popular expressions in spoken English are:

Shall we…? and Let’s…

• Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
• Shall we start planning our next holiday?
• Let’s go for a coffee after work.
• Let’s invite our friends over for dinner.

These sound natural, relaxed, and friendly — perfect for everyday conversations.

Using could for suggestions

We also use could when we want to sound polite and flexible:

• You could consider joining the gym for regular exercise.
• Could we try a new restaurant for dinner tonight?
• Could I help you with your project?

This is great when you don’t want to sound too direct.

Using Why don’t…?

This is another very common way to make suggestions:

• Why don’t you try learning a new language?
• Why don’t we see that new film tonight?
• Why don’t we check out that new coffee shop?

Friendly, natural, and very British in spirit — polite, but practical.

Asking for a suggestion

Sometimes you want the other person to decide. You can use can, shall, or should:

• Can you suggest a good book to read?
• Can we brainstorm some creative solutions?
• Shall I bring something to the party?
• Shall we invite more people to your birthday party?
• Should we go to the beach or to the mountains?
• Should we start the meeting now or wait a little?

Making offers

We make offers when we want to help someone or do something for them.

Using will, can, and shall

• I’ll lend you my book if you want to read it.
• I’ll send you the report by the end of the week.
• Can I give you a hand with the decorations?
• Can I show you how to use this software?
• Shall I make some tea for everyone?
• Shall I book a table for dinner?

These are polite, natural, and very useful in both daily life and work situations.

Using Would you like…?

This is a classic — polite, warm, and perfect for offers:

• Would you like some help with your homework?
• Would you like some tea or coffee?
• Would you like some wine with your steak?

Making invitations

Invitations can be informal and friendly or more polite and formal.

Informal invitations (using the imperative)

These are common with friends and family:

• Come and watch the film with us!
• Have a coffee with me!
• Have dinner with us tomorrow!

Short, warm, and friendly — no ceremony needed.

Polite and more formal invitations

Here we again use Would you like…?

• Would you like to come to our wedding anniversary?
• Would you like to go hiking with us on Saturday?
• Would you like to have coffee with me after work?

Perfect for people you don’t know very well — or when you want to sound especially polite.

Using will and won’t for invitations

• Will you come to the concert with us this weekend?
• Will you attend our meeting this afternoon?
• Won’t you come to the party this weekend?
• Won’t you stay a little longer and chat?

This sounds friendly and inviting, and “won’t you…?” often feels extra warm and welcoming.

Final thought

Making suggestions, offers, and invitations is not just about grammar — it’s about being human in English. It’s how we make plans, build friendships, work together, and — occasionally — politely convince someone to come for coffee. If you master these phrases, your English will instantly sound more natural, more confident, more polite and much more fluent.

And honestly? Native speakers use these expressions all the time.

Making suggestions, offers and invitations

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!