On certain occasions, you may want to extend an invitation to your seniors or colleagues but may not know what phrases to use so as to sound pleasant and polite, yet formal at the same time. Also, at times you may want to accept an invitation and convey your gratitude for the same or decline one gracefully.

Making

1. I would like to invite you to have lunch at my home next week.
2. Would you like to go to the movie next Sunday?
3. Won’t you come in and have a cup of tea?
4. Will you be able to go to the rock concert with me tomorrow night?
5. How about having lunch with me tomorrow?
6. Can you have dinner with me today evening?
7. Are you free on Monday? I would like to invite you to have lunch with me.

Accepting

1. Thank you. I shall be glad to.
2. Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I’d love to.
3. Thank you. I’d be delighted to go. How nice!
4. It’s very nice of you to invite me.
5. That would be very nice. I would definitely join the party.
6. That would be wonderful. I can assure you that I won’t miss such a lovely party.

Declining

1. I’m sorry but I have another engagement.
2. I’m awfully sorry, but I must meet my boss at the airport.
3. I would like to, but I have an appointment with the doctor.
4. I’d love to come, but I’m afraid I can’t. I have an urgent meeting.
5. Oh, I’m sorry. I’d love to come but I’ve already received another invitation.

Making	Accepting	Declining
I would like to Would you like to Won’t you come Will you be able to How about Can you	Thank you, I’d love Yes, That would be great I’d be delighted to That would be very nice Oh certainly, Thank You	I’m afraid, I’m busy I’m awfully sorry Thanks for asking, but I’m busy