8 Extending And Accepting Invitations

Objectives
On completion of this lesson you will be able to
 learn how to extend invitations
 learn how to accept invitations

Pre Activity
1. How will you invite your teacher to a farewell party?
2. Your friend has invited you to his sister’s wedding. How do you accept the
invitation?
3. You have been invited to a house warming ceremony. But you have some
important work that day. How will you express your inability to attend the
function in a polite manner?

Activity 1
Read the following conversation between two friends and identify the phrases used
to extend and accept invitation.
Mahi: Hai Gowri. How are you?
Gowri: Hai. After a long time. How are you? Anything special?
Mahi: Yes.My brother’s marriage has been fixed.
Gowri: . Convey my congratulations to him. When is the marriage?
Mahi: The marriage is on the 10th of next month. Here is the invitation.
Gowri: Oh!The marriage is on Sunday.
Mahi: Please do attend the marriage. If you let me know your travel
details, I will make necessary arrangements.
Gowri: Thanks for the invitation. I will definitely attend the marriage.
Activity 2 Pair
 Work with your partner
 Invite your friend to do the following with you
 Reverse roles and use different expressions
 An example has been done for you

Example: Come and jog with you in the mornings.

Why don’t you come and jog with me in the mornings?
1. Go for Yoga in the evening. ………………………………………
2. Play Tennis with you………………………………………………
3. Go on a tour……………………………………………………….
4. Join computer classes………………………………………………
5. Attend a seminar on ‘Road Safety’………………………………..

Additional Information
In accepting a formal invitation, it is important to respond appropriately.
First thank the person for the invitation and then express your
acceptance.
Expressions used for accepting invitations

Yes, thank you… Of course, I would like to…

Thank you, that would be great… Thank you, that sounds great…

On some occasions you may not be able to attend and therefore you will
have to politely express your inability to attend giving the reason.
Expressions used for expressing inability to attend

Thank you, but I’m sorry, I may not…

Thank you, but I’m afraid I cannot…
Thank you, but I won’t be able to…

Activity 3 Group

 Work in groups of three

 Make as many meaningful sentences as possible using the expressions given
in the Table
 First member would extend invitation; second member accepts and third
member expresses inability to attend
  Exchange roles after a few minutes

to a party on Yes, thank you.

Would you like Saturday ? Of course. Thanks, I’m
to com out with me this I would like to sorry,
e evening ? That would be I may not…
Why don’t you with me for lunch ? great I’m afraid I can
and see me ? That sounds not…
listen to my new great but I’m unable
record ? to
and meet my family ?

Activity 4 Pair

 Work with your partner

 One of you extends invitation. The other expresses willingness and conveys
inability to attend politely
 Write the complete dialogue and role play them
 Each one of you can take one situation to invite
1) Your friend invites you to attend his brother’s marriage.
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2) Your neighbour invites you to join him at a cultural programme in your locality
on a festival day.
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Common Errors
 Incorrect Correct
I invite you, Lakshmi, why don’t you Lakshmi, Why don’t you come to the
come to the party? party please?
Invite him for the function. Invite him to the function.

Tips
 Extend invitations with a smile
 Practise using various polite expressions in your speech
 Thank the person for invitation
 Confirm your participation
 If you are not able to confirm, it is polite to inform the reason for
your inability to accept

Assignment 1
Extend an invitation to a local celebrity to be the guest of honor for the annual day
function in your college.
Assignment 2
Invite your seniors to attend a farewell party.

Thanks to clean the mess after a party, because it means that I’ m surrounded by
friends.
Nancy Carmody