How to Accept and Refuse an Invitation

It can sometimes be difficult to accept, refuse and extend an invitation. However, for someone who is new to the English as a second language, understanding the custom and finding the right vocabulary can sometimes be a  challenge. Accepting and declining an invitation may vary depending on the occasion. One can extend an invitation formally ( by mail, email) or informally (by mail, email, phone, texting, or face to face, which is done verbally). There are a few forms/phrases one can use when accepting, declining or extending an invitation. 

FORMAL :

Extending an Invitation:

"(Your Name) would like to invite (name of person being invited) to dinner on (date) at (time). R.S.V.P. (respondez s'il vous plait)."

Declining an Invitation:

"(Your name), regretfully decline (name of invitee) invitation to dinner on (date) at (time)."

Accepting an Invitation:

"(Your name) accepts (name of invitee) kind invitation to dinner on (date) at (time)."

INFORMAL:

Invitation (telephone):
"Would you like to come to ________?"

Accepting (telephone):
"Thank you for thinking of me, I would love to come!"

OR

"I would love to come! But let me check my calendar first and get back to you."

Declining:
"I need some time to think about it/check my calendar. I will have to call you back."

OR

"Thanks for thinking of me, but I have (made) other plans."

MAIL/EMAIL/TEXT:

Extending an Invitation (usually a note written in the first person):

"I would like to invite you to (occasion) on (date) at (time). I would love to have you as my guest."

Response:

"I would love to be there!/I would love to come! Thanks for the invite/for thinking of me. (Keep me posted if there are any changes)."

Decline:

"I have (made other) plans. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it.  Thanks for the invite/invitation."

Dialog:
Use the dialog below to practice the forms above.

Michelle is throwing a Halloween party and has decided to invite her friends by telephone. Michelle is calling the first friend on the list; Jake, to invite him.

Michelle:  Hi Jake! How are you?

Jake: Good! What's up?

Michelle: Well, I have made the final arrangements for the Halloween party I'm throwing this year and I am now calling everyone on my list.

Jake:  That's good to hear.

Michelle:  I would like to invite you to my Halloween party on Halloween, of course. It's at 7pm (in the evening).

Jake:  I would love to come.  Please hold on a minute while I check my calendar. 

Michelle: Sure!

(Jake returns to the phone).

Jake:  I am available, however, I won't be there until 8:30 pm because I have an evening lecture. Thanks for thinking of me!

Michelle: My pleasure! I will see you there.  Call me if there are any changes.

Jake: No problem. 

Michelle: Great! Bye for now.

Jake: Bye.

Now your turn!

Think of an event or occasion and use the forms above to practice/role play with a friend.

You:  Hi (name of friend).  I would like to _________________ (use the form above).

Your friend: _____________________ (Use the form above to accept or decline).



Great job today!