Invitations in English: Invite, Accept, Refuse and Suggest
Do more with this exercise
These are useful phrases for making plans with other people. You can invite, say yes, say no in a polite way, and suggest an idea. Read each phrase and its short dialogue, then do the exercises.
Inviting a person
Are you free on Saturday?Ask it to see if a person has time on a day.
“Are you free on Saturday?” “Yes, I am.”
Would you like to come to my party?Ask it for a polite invitation.
“Would you like to come to my party?” “Yes, I'd love to!”
Do you want to go to the cinema?Ask it to invite a friend in an easy way.
“Do you want to go to the cinema?” “Sure!”
Why don't we have lunch together?Say it to suggest an idea for you and another person.
“Why don't we have lunch together?” “Good idea.”
Let's go to the park.Say it to suggest an idea for you and other people.
“It's sunny. Let's go to the park.” “Okay!”
How about a coffee after class?Say it to suggest a thing to do or to eat.
“How about a coffee after class?” “Great.”
I'm having a party on Friday. Can you come?Say it to tell a person about your plan and invite them.
“I'm having a party on Friday. Can you come?” “I think so!”
Saying yes
Yes, I'd love to.Say it to accept an invitation with would you like.
“Would you like to have dinner with us?” “Yes, I'd love to.”
Great idea!Say it when you like a suggestion.
“Let's go to the beach.” “Great idea!”
That sounds good.Say it to accept a plan.
“Dinner at eight?” “That sounds good.”
That sounds fun!Say it when the plan is interesting for you.
“We're going to dance tonight.” “That sounds fun!”
I'm free on Saturday.Say it when you have time on a day.
“Are you busy on Saturday?” “No, I'm free on Saturday.”
Thanks for inviting me.Say it to thank a person for an invitation.
“See you at seven!” “Thanks for inviting me.”
Saying no in a polite way
Sorry, I can't.Say it for a short, polite no.
“Do you want to play football?” “Sorry, I can't.”
I'd love to, but I'm busy.Say it when you like the idea but you don't have time.
“Would you like to come?” “I'd love to, but I'm busy.”
I'm afraid I can't come.Say it for a polite and formal no.
“Can you come on Friday?” “I'm afraid I can't come.”
Thanks for asking, but I'm working.Say it to refuse and give your reason.
“Thanks for asking, but I'm working.” “That's okay.”
I'm going to visit my parents.Say it to give a reason: you have another plan.
“Are you free on Sunday?” “No, I'm going to visit my parents.”
Maybe another time.Say it to refuse today and keep the door open.
“Maybe another time. Thanks!” “Of course.”
I'll let you know.Say it when you can't say yes or no now.
“Can you come?” “Maybe. I'll let you know.”
Making a plan
What time do we meet?Ask it to decide the time.
“What time do we meet?” “At six.”
Let's meet at six.Say it to suggest a time.
“Let's meet at six.” “Perfect.”
Where do we meet?Ask it to decide the place.
“Where do we meet?” “In front of the cinema.”
What are you going to do on Sunday?Ask it about a person's plan.
“What are you going to do on Sunday?” “Nothing special.”
If it's sunny, we can go to the beach.Say it to make a plan that depends on the weather.
“If it's sunny, we can go to the beach.” “Good idea.”
If it rains, let's stay at home.Say it to make another plan for bad weather.
“If it rains, let's stay at home.” “Okay.”
See you on Saturday!Say it to end a conversation when you have a plan.
“Bye, Tom! See you on Saturday!”
Practice exercises
Match the Phrase and the Situation
Match each phrase with the situation.
Choose a word on the left, then its match on the right.
What Do You Say?
Choose the best phrase for each situation.
7.You want to invite a friend to the cinema. What do you say?
8.“Would you like to have dinner with us?” “___”
9.You can't go to a party because you are working. What do you say?
10.“Can you come on Friday?” “___” (You don't know if you can go.)
11.“Let's go to the beach on Sunday.” “___” (You like the idea.)
12.“___ on Saturday?” “Yes, I am.”
13.You want to say sorry in a formal way: you can't come. What do you say?
Complete the Dialogue
Type the missing word.
How to invite, accept and refuse in English
To make a plan with a friend, first ask if the person has time: Are you free on Saturday? Then give the invitation. Would you like to come to my party? is polite. Do you want to go to the cinema? is easy and friendly. You can also give an idea with Let's, Why don't we or How about.
When the answer is yes, say Yes, I'd love to, Great idea! or That sounds good. When the answer is no, be polite and give a reason. Sorry, I can't is short. I'd love to, but I'm busy is friendly. I'm afraid I can't come is formal. Maybe another time keeps the door open, and I'll let you know says you need time to decide.
After yes, decide the details. Ask What time do we meet? and Where do we meet? and say Let's meet at six. You can also plan for the weather: If it's sunny, we can go to the beach. If it rains, let's stay at home. Finish with See you on Saturday!
Here is a short model dialogue. Mia: Are you free on Saturday? Leo: Yes, I am. Mia: Would you like to go to the beach? Leo: That sounds fun! What time do we meet? Mia: Let's meet at ten. If it rains, let's go to the cinema. Leo: Great idea. See you on Saturday!
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Would you like to and Do you want to?
Both are invitations. Would you like to…? is a little more polite, and Do you want to…? is easier and common with friends. The meaning is the same.
How can I say no in a polite way?
Do not say only No. Say Sorry, I can't, or I'd love to, but I'm busy. A reason helps: Thanks for asking, but I'm working. You can also add Maybe another time.
What does Let's mean?
Let's is short for let us. We use it with a base verb to suggest an idea for you and other people: Let's go. Let's eat. The answer can be Great idea! or Sorry, I can't.
What is the difference between Why don't we and How about?
Both give an idea. After Why don't we, use a verb: Why don't we go out? After How about, use a noun or a verb with -ing: How about a pizza? How about going out?
Answer key
1. Would you like to come to my party?
Answer: You invite a person in a polite way.
Would you like to…? is a polite invitation.
2. Great idea!
Answer: You like a suggestion.
We say great idea! when we like what the other person suggests.
3. I'd love to, but I'm busy.
Answer: You like the invitation but you can't go.
I'd love to, but… is a friendly no: you like the idea, but you have no time.
4. Maybe another time.
Answer: You say no today and hope to go another day.
Maybe another time is a soft no. It says you want to meet in the future.
5. What time do we meet?
Answer: You decide the time of a plan.
We ask what time do we meet? to decide when to start.
6. Let's go to the park.
Answer: You suggest an idea to friends.
Let's + base verb is a suggestion for you and other people.
7. You want to invite a friend to the cinema. What do you say?
Answer: Do you want to go to the cinema?
Do you want to…? is an easy invitation. Sorry, I can't is a no.
8. “Would you like to have dinner with us?” “___”
Answer: Yes, I'd love to.
Yes, I'd love to is the normal way to accept would you like…?
9. You can't go to a party because you are working. What do you say?
Answer: Thanks for asking, but I'm working.
Thanks for asking, but… is a polite no with a reason.
10. “Can you come on Friday?” “___” (You don't know if you can go.)
Answer: I'll let you know.
I'll let you know means you will answer later.
11. “Let's go to the beach on Sunday.” “___” (You like the idea.)
Answer: Great idea!
Great idea! accepts the suggestion. I'm afraid I can't come is a no, and nice to meet you is for a first meeting.
12. “___ on Saturday?” “Yes, I am.”
Answer: Are you free
The phrase is are you free on…? Free is an adjective, so we use are with it.
13. You want to say sorry in a formal way: you can't come. What do you say?
Answer: I'm afraid I can't come.
I'm afraid I can't come is polite and formal. The other two phrases are not a no.
14. “___ you like to come to my party?” “Yes, I'd love to!”
Answer: Would
The polite invitation is would you like to…?
15. “Why ___ we have lunch together?” “Good idea.”
Answer: don't
The suggestion is why don't we…? We use the base verb after we.
16. “Let's ___ to the park.” “Okay!”
Answer: go
After let's we use the base verb: let's go.
17. “I'd love to, ___ I'm busy.”
Answer: but
We use but to join the two ideas: you like the plan, but you have no time.
18. “If it ___, let's stay at home.”
Answer: rains
After if we use the present simple for the weather: if it rains.
19. “What time do we ___?” “At six.”
Answer: meet
The question is what time do we meet? After do we, we use the base verb.