Modul 5: Language functions: VIII. INVITING
What do you say in these situations?
Video 01
Inviting. Asking someone to come to a social event (where people meet), like a concert, a meeting, a party etc.
Here we go:
Would you like to …?
Would you like to go down to the beach this weekend?
Do you want to …?
Do you want to see the new movie?
Do you fancy …? This is the same as “Do you want to …” or “Do you feel like?” Check out the structure too:
Do you fancy visiting grandpa?
Do you fancy having a pizza tonight?
I’m inviting you to … (an event or place)
I’m inviting you to my birthday party this Saturday.
I’d like you to…
I’d like you to join our company gala dinner.
Shall we …? When you say “Shall we”, you invite a person to join you in an activity, but at the same time, you’re aking their opinion too. It’s ike saying, “I think this is a good idea; do you agree?”
Shall we have som sushi?
How about (we) … (do sth) Like, what do think about it? Do you like my plan?
How about we go by train instead of going by car?
What about (if) …? This one is very similar to “How about”; except, you have to check the “if-part”.
What about if we drank something?
“If we drank something” is the same structure as in the conditional sentences: ‘drank’ (as in if we drank) is not past time. It communicates uncertainty (not a sure thing).
Why? Because my suggestion (or invitation) is just an idea or a thought that is not sure to happen. You will have to say yes or no to it.
What about if we drank something?
Are you free to …? Do you have any free time to do sth?
Are you free to meet me after work?
You are welcome to … (do sth) ‘You’re welcome’ means that I’m happy if you do that thing.
You’re welcome to bring your son over for the weekend.
Cool. Now go on to the next video to see how you can respond to an invitation.
Video 02
Now let’s see how to accept an invitation (how to say ‘yes’ to it) and how to refuse one (how to say ‘no’ to it).
Here are some expressions of acceptance:
Ok, that sounds fun.
I’d love to join you for …
I’d love to join for the birthday party.
Yes, that would be lovely.
Yeah, that sounds great.
Good.
Here are useful expressions for refusal or partial refusal:
Ok, but …
OK, but I need to check my calendar first.
Let me check with … (someone) Let me ask another person about it.
Let me check with my wife.
I’d love to go, but …
I’d love to go, but we have already agreed to another plan for the evening.
I am busy tonight, but can we rearrange for … (another time)
I am busy tonight, but can we rearrange for tomorrow?
I don’t drink, but let’s …
I don’t drink, but let’s have a coffee.
Cool. Now go on to the next video and see more examples.
Video 03
What do you say in these situations?
- Invite your friend to a party that you are going to.
Would you like to come to a party with me?
Shall we go to that party together?
- Invite your friend to celebrate a national holiday with your family.
Do you fancy celebrating with my family this year?
You are welcome to come over if you like and spend the holiday with us!
- Invite somebody out on a date with you.
Do you want to have dinner with me on Saturday?
Do you fancy going out with me some time?
- Invite your boss to a barbecue.
I’m inviting you to a barbecue at my house, if you are interested.
Would you like to come to a barbecue at mine?
- Invite your business partners to a fishing trip.
Do you want to go fishing some time?
How about we go on a fishing trip?
- Someone you’ve met briefly at a conference invites you to a party. Respond.
I’d love to go, but I have already made plans.
Ok, that sounds like fun.
- Your neighbours want you to join them on New Year’s Eve. Respond.
I’d love to join you for New Year’s Eve!
I am with my family this New Year’s.
- Your boss invites you to his home. Respond.
Yes, that would be lovely. Can I bring anything?
I am busy tonight, but can we rearrange for another evening?
- Your teacher invites you to his home. Respond.
Ok, but I do have a lot of work to do, so I can’t stay too late.
Let me check with my partner to make sure we don’t have other plans.
- Your business partner invites you to have a drink in a bar. Respond.
Yeah, that sounds great.
I don’t drink, but let’s have coffee.
- You are going to a club. On the way there, you run into another friend.
I’m on my way to a club. Shall we go together?
Do you fancy coming with me to the club?
- Invite a business client to join you in doing some research.
Are you free to join me in this research?
What about if we did the research together? I’d love to hear your ideas!
- On the phone, invite a friend to do something exciting this evening.
Shall we go to the cinema tonight? We haven’t been for ages!
Do you fancy going to the theatre? The Lion King is incredible!
- On the phone, invite your best friend to a special place where you plan to surprise her.
Are you free to meet me at St. Stephen’s Park?
I’d like you to meet me at Joe’s Bar. I want to have a catch-up.
- Discuss with your partner who to invite to your wedding.
I’d like to invite Chelsea, what do you think?
Do you want to invite Temi? If so, then we have to see if George is free.
Inviting:
Would you like to…?
Do you want to…?
Do you fancy…?
I’m inviting you to…
I’d like you to…
Shall we…?
How about (we)…
What about (if)…?
Are you free to…?
You are welcome to…
Accepting/Refusing an invitation
Ok, that sounds fun.
I’d love to join you for …
Yes, that would be lovely.
Yeah, that sounds great.
Ok, but …
Let me check with …
I’d love to go, but …
I am busy tonight, but can we rearrange for …?
I don’t drink, but let’s …
What do you say in these situations?
1. Invite your friend to a party that you are going to.
2. Invite your friend to celebrate a national holiday with your family.
3. Invite somebody out on a date with you.
4. Invite your boss to a barbecue.
5. Invite your business partners to a fishing trip.
6. Someone you’ve met briefly at a conference invites you to a party. Respond.
7. Your neighbours want you to join them on New Year’s Eve. Respond.
8. Your boss invites you to his home. Respond.
9. Your teacher invites you to his home. Respond.
10. Your business partner invites you to have a drink in a bar. Respond.
11. You are going to a club. On the way there, you run into another friend.
12. Invite a business client to join you in doing some research.
13. On the phone, invite a friend to do something exciting this evening.
14. On the phone, invite your best friend to a special place where you plan to surprise her.
15. Discuss with your partner who to invite to your wedding.