Making Invitations and Offers

Making invitations

Do you know how to invite someone to your house for dinner or to go to the movies? 

What do you say in English when someone invites you? 

Here are some common expressions you can use when making or responding to invitations

Inviting:

• Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
• Would you like to go to the theater tomorrow?
• Would you be interested in going to the the stadium next Sunday?
• How do you fancy going to the the restaurant for dinner?
• How about going to the movies?
• Care to come over for lunch?
• I was just wondering if you would like to come over for a drink.
• We'd be delighted to have you over for my birthday party.

Accepting invitations:

• Sure. What time?
• I'd love to, thanks.
• That's very kind of you, thanks.
• That sounds lovely, thank you.
• What a great idea, thank you.
• Sure. When should I be there?

Declining invitations:

• I can't.  I have to work.
• This evening is no good.  I have an appointment.
• I'm busy tomorrow.  Can I take a rain check* on that? 
• That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else this afternoon.
• Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the restaurant.
• I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on.
• I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else.

(*rain check: used to tell someone that you cannot accept invitations now, but would like to do so at a later time)

Making Offers

Here are a few phrases you can use. Offers often begin Would you like…?

• Would you like some more cherries?
• Would you like something to drink?
• Would you like some coffee?
• Would you like another cake?

In a more formal style, you can say Can I get…? or May I get…? 

Expressions like Can I offer you…? or May I offer you…? are also possible.

• May I bring you some coffee?
• Can I help you?
• May I offer you something to drink?
• May I help you with this?
• Offers to do things for people often begin Would you like me to…?
• Would you like me to type your letters for you?
• Would you like me to make some coffee for you?

More examples are given below.

• Shall I get you something to drink?
• You look tired. Would you like a cup of tea?
• How about a coffee?
• Can I get you some juice?
• Can I help you?
• Can I do something for you?

Learners should be able to make offers as well as accept or reject them. The following are useful expressions to do so.

Accepting the offer

Here are some phrases you can use to show your willingness to accept the offer.

• That would be very kind of you.
• Yes please. I’d like to.
• Yes please. That would be nice / lovely.
• Thank you. That would be great.

Rejecting an offer

Here are some phrases you can use.

• No, thank you.
• No, thanks.
• It’s OK. I can do it myself.
• Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.

Sumber :

myenglishpages.com

englishgrammar.org