Making Suggestions, Offers and Invitations in English

Hello English learners! In this lesson, you will learn the most natural ways to make suggestions, offers and invitations, how the structures differ, and how to respond when someone makes one.

Imagine you are deciding what to do on Saturday.

You might say:

Shall we go out for dinner?
How about trying that new Italian restaurant?
Would you like to come with us?
Shall I book a table?

All four sentences are friendly and natural, but they do different jobs.

One is a suggestion. One develops the suggestion. One is an invitation. And one is an offer.

This lesson on making suggestions, offers and invitations will help you choose the right expression for different everyday situations.

They are also useful for learners preparing for exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced, particularly in speaking tasks and informal emails.

Making Suggestions in English

We make suggestions when we want to propose an idea, activity or possible solution.

There are several useful structures.

Let’s + Infinitive

Use let’s + base form of the verb when you are suggesting something that you and the other person will do together.

Let’s go for a walk.
Let’s take a break and come back to this later.

The negative form is:

Let’s not + infinitive

Let’s not spend too much money.
Let’s not argue about it now.

Shall We + Infinitive?

Shall we…? is a very common way of suggesting an activity involving both the speaker and the listener.

Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
Shall we order something to eat?
Shall we start the meeting?
Shall we invite Emma too?

It is particularly natural in British English.

Compare:

Let’s get a taxi.

This sounds like a fairly definite suggestion.

Shall we get a taxi?

This invites the other person to give their opinion.

Why Don’t We / You…?

Another very natural way of making a suggestion is:

Why don’t + subject + infinitive?

Why don’t we go somewhere different this weekend?
Why don’t you take a few days off?

The expression is friendly in most situations, although tone matters. Said impatiently, Why don’t you…? can sometimes sound more like criticism than advice.

How about / What about + -ing?

These are extremely useful conversational structures.

Use:

How about + -ing?

What about + -ing?

How about going for a coffee?
What about meeting on Friday instead?

You can also use a noun:

How about a pizza?

Could for Suggestions

Could is useful when presenting something as one possible option.

We could…

We could go to the coast for the weekend.
We could ask Helen to help us.

You could…

You could speak to your teacher about it.
You could apply for the job anyway.

We Could Always…

For a softer suggestion, especially when the first plan is not possible, we can say:

We could always take a taxi.
You could always ask for an extension.

It often means:

This is another possibility if nothing else works.

Why Not + Infinitive?

Why not…? is another useful way of suggesting something.

Why not ask for help?
Why not take a few days off?

Notice that there is no subject after why not.

✅ Why not go by train?

❌ ~~Why not~~ we go by train?

If you want to include the subject, use:

Why don’t we go by train?

Making Offers in English

We make an offer when we volunteer to help someone or give them something.

Shall I + Infinitive?

Shall I…? is one of the most useful ways to offer to do something.

Shall I carry that for you?
Shall I open the window?

Compare:

Shall we make some coffee? → suggestion

Shall I make some coffee? → offer

That tiny change from we to I changes the function completely.

Can I…?

Can I…? is also extremely common for offers.

Can I help you?
Can I carry that bag?

It is friendly, natural and useful in both everyday and workplace situations.

Would You Like Me To…?

For a particularly polite offer, use:

Would you like me to + infinitive?

Would you like me to help you?
Would you like me to call them?

This is useful when you want to sound polite without being too formal.

I’ll…

We often use I’ll when we decide at that moment to do something for someone.

A: It’s really dark in here.

B: I’ll turn on the light.

A: I can’t carry all these boxes.

B: I’ll help you.

Other examples:

I’ll give you a lift.
I’ll send you the file tonight.

Adding if you like makes the offer softer:

I’ll give you a hand if you like.

Let Me…

Let me… can be used when you are fairly sure the other person will appreciate your help.

Let me carry that for you.
Let me get the door.

It is more direct than Shall I…? because you are not really asking whether you should help — you are stepping in and offering to do it.

Making Invitations in English

An invitation asks someone to join you for an activity, event or occasion.

Invitations can range from very casual to quite polite.

Would You Like To…?

This is probably the most useful all-purpose structure for invitations.

Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?
Would you like to join us for lunch?

It works with friends, colleagues and people you do not know particularly well.

Do You Want To…?

With friends and people you know well, Do you want to…? sounds perfectly natural.

Do you want to come over tonight?
Do you want to grab a coffee?

It is more informal than Would you like to…?

Compare:

Would you like to join us for dinner?

more polite

Do you want to come for dinner?

more casual

Both can be friendly.

Fancy + -ing?

In informal British English, Fancy…? is a particularly natural way to invite someone or suggest doing something together.

Use:

Fancy + -ing?

Fancy going for a drink?
Fancy coming with us?

You can also use a noun:

Fancy a coffee?

Why Don’t You Join Us?

Why don’t you…? can also function as an invitation.

Why don’t you come with us?
Why don’t you join us for lunch?

In these examples, the speaker is not simply giving advice — they are inviting the other person to take part.

Come and…

A direct imperative can sometimes make a very warm, informal invitation.

Come and have dinner with us.
Come and join us.

This works best when the relationship is friendly.

How to Accept an Offer or Invitation

Knowing how to make an invitation is only half the conversation. You also need to know how to respond.

Accepting an offer

Would you like some coffee?

Yes, please.
That would be lovely, thanks.
Thanks, I’d love some.
Yes, that would be great.

Accepting an invitation

Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday?

I’d love to.
That sounds great!
Yes, definitely.
Thanks, I’d love to come.
That would be lovely.

How to Refuse Politely

A simple No may sound rather abrupt.

It is usually more natural to thank the person first and then give a short reason.

Thanks, but I can’t, I’m afraid.
I’d love to, but I’m busy that evening.
Thanks for asking, but I already have plans.
That sounds lovely, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make it.
Maybe another time?

For an offer:

No, thanks. I’m fine.
That’s very kind of you, but I’m OK.
Thanks, but I can manage.

You do not need to invent a twenty-minute explanation. A polite refusal can be short.

Quick Comparison


Suggestion	Let’s…, Shall we…?, Why don’t we…?, How about…?, We could…
Suggestion for another person	Why don’t you…?, You could…, Why not…?
Offer to help	Shall I…?, Can I…?, Would you like me to…?, I’ll…, Let me…
Offer food/drink	Would you like…?, Can I get you…?
Invitation	Would you like to…?, Do you want to…?, Fancy…?, Why don’t you join us…?
Accepting	I’d love to. / That sounds great. / Yes, please.
Refusing	I’d love to, but… / Thanks, but… / Maybe another time.

Making Suggestions, Offers and Invitations for B2 First

These expressions are particularly useful in B2 First Speaking and informal writing.

In a speaking task, you may need to discuss possibilities with another candidate.

Useful expressions include:

Shall we start with…?
How about…?
What do you think about…?
We could…
Why don’t we…?
That’s a good idea, but…
I’m not sure about that.
What about…?

In an informal email, you might need to make a suggestion or invite a friend:

Why don’t you come and stay with me next month?

We could visit the coast while you’re here.

Fancy coming to the festival with us?

Learning these as complete phrases will make it easier to use them naturally rather than trying to construct every sentence word by word.

Want to Sound More Natural in Everyday English?

Learning grammar is important, but natural English also depends on knowing the expressions people actually use in conversation.

If you would like to expand your everyday vocabulary and become more confident using natural expressions, take a look at Say It with Style 1: Everyday English Idioms.

The book teaches useful idioms and fixed expressions through 30 engaging short stories, followed by practical exercises to help you understand, remember and use the language naturally.

It is designed for B1–B2 learners and is ideal for anyone who wants to sound more fluent and expressive in everyday English.

Explore Say It with Style 1 →

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