Joy English · Level A2 · Invitationsjoy-english.com

An invitation and a reply

Name:Date:

Invite a friend to an event, then reply to an invitation: say yes, or say no politely and suggest another plan.

An invitation and a reply

Hi Kofi,

I'm having a small picnic for my birthday on Saturday 14 June at Riverside Park. We're meeting by the big fountain at 1 pm. My brother is making his famous lemon cake! Would you like to come? Please bring a game if you have one. Let me know by Thursday.

Best wishes,

Mina

Hi Mina,

Thanks for inviting me! I'd love to come, but I'm working until 2 pm on Saturday. Is it OK if I arrive at about 3? I'll bring my football and some fruit.

See you soon,

Kofi

Invite, accept or say no

Choose the best word or phrase.

Would you like ___ to my house for dinner on Friday?
- a) come
- b) to come
- c) coming
Thanks for ___ me to your party!
- a) invite
- b) invited
- c) inviting
I'd love to come, ___ I have to work until six.
- a) because
- b) but
- c) so
I'm sorry, ___ I can't come. I'm visiting my aunt that weekend.
- a) but
- b) or
- c) because
I'm busy on Friday. ___ next Saturday instead?
- a) Would you
- b) How about
- c) Let me
Which sentence asks the person to reply?
- a) I'll bring a cake.
- b) It starts at 8 pm.
- c) Let me know by Wednesday.
Which sentence is a polite way to say no?
- a) No. I don't want to.
- b) I'm afraid I'm busy that evening.
- c) I can't. Bye.

Complete the messages

Type the missing word. Use: about, afraid, bring, know, love, would.

___ you like to come to the cinema with us on Sunday?
Thanks for the invitation. I'd ___ to come!
I'm ___ I can't come on Sunday. I have an exam on Monday.
Can I ___ anything to the party? Some drinks or a salad?
Please let me ___ by Friday if you can come.
I can't come on Thursday. How ___ Friday?

Writing task

Write an invitation to a friend for an event you are planning (for example a picnic, a film night or a cooking evening). Say what the event is, when and where it is, and ask your friend to reply. Then write your friend's reply: they say thank you and accept, but they need to change something (for example, they will be late).

80–120 words

Check your writing

My invitation says what the event is.
I gave the day, the time and the place.
I asked my friend to reply by a certain day.
The reply starts by saying thank you.
The reply gives a clear answer and a reason for the change.
Both messages have a friendly greeting and ending.

Answer key

Invite, accept or say no

b) to comeAfter would like we use to + verb: Would you like to come?
c) invitingAfter a preposition like for, use the -ing form: Thanks for inviting me.
b) butBut shows a contrast: you want to come, but there is a problem.
a) butI'm sorry, but ... is a polite way to start saying no.
b) How aboutHow about + a time or a noun suggests something: How about next Saturday?
c) Let me know by Wednesday.Let me know by ... asks the person to give you an answer before a certain day.
b) I'm afraid I'm busy that evening.I'm afraid ... is polite and gives a reason. The other answers sound rude.

Complete the messages

wouldWould you like to ...? is a polite way to invite someone.
love / likeI'd love to come is a warm way to say yes. I'd like to come is also correct.
afraid / sorryI'm afraid ... (or I'm sorry ...) is a polite way to give bad news.
bringCan I bring anything? offers to help with food or drinks.
knowLet me know means tell me your answer.
aboutHow about ...? suggests another time or idea.

Model answer

Hi Tomás,

We're having a cooking evening at our flat on Friday 3 May. We're making pizza and everyone can add their favourite things. It starts at 7 pm. Would you like to join us? Can you bring some vegetables? Please let me know by Wednesday.

Best wishes, Aiko

Hi Aiko,

Thanks for the invitation! That sounds great and I'd love to come. I'm afraid I have a football match on Friday evening, so I'll be about an hour late. Is that OK? I'll bring peppers and mushrooms.

See you on Friday, Tomás