Ns, arranInvitatiogements and offers

 

Read the text and do exercises given after it.

Many different expressions are used by the British when they make, accept or reject an invitation.

The choice of the right phrase depends on the situation you are in and the

relationship you have with a person you are talking to. 61

 

When an invitation is immediate and unimportant you may use the imperative form: “Come in.” “Have a cup of tea.” It is also common in this

situation to begin with “You must …” (e.g.: “You must drop in for a

meal this week.”)

Whether you accept or reject an invitation, it is usually common to

show pleasure at receiving it and to thank the person who invited you.

When rejecting invitations it’s most important to avoid upsetting the person who has made an invitation. It is also considered polite to offer an excuse when you reject an invitation. However, the excuse can be rather

vague or even avoided:

“I’m busy on Sunday, but it was nice of you to invite me.”

“I can’t make it, Friday. How about another time?

When you want to make an invitation you may use the following

phrases:

”Would you like to come to a party/to go out for a walk, etc.?” which

can be used in all situations.

If you invite your close friend, you can address him like that: “Do

you want to come to a party/go for a walk, etc.?”

The following forms are considered to be informal: “How about

coming round for a chat/going to the cinema at night, etc.?” “Why

don’t you go to a meeting?” “What about tomorrow evening?”

If you are in formal terms with the person who makes an invitation

and you accept this invitation enthusiastically and, you can do it like that:

“I’d like/love to very much.” “That would be very nice/lovely, etc.

Thank you.”

If you are not very interested in the invitation you can express your

indifferent attitude in such a way: “If you want me to go/to do this, etc. I

would.” “If you (’d) like me to go/ do this, etc. I would do my best. Thank

you.” 62

 

Polite refusals to invitations may be phrased in one of the following

ways: “(No) I’m afraid/I’m sorry I can’t I’ve got a lot of work to do.

Thank you/thanks all the same.” “I’d like to, but (I’m afraid) I can’t.

I’m having an arrangement tonight.” “No, I’m afraid I can’t. I wish I

could, but I’ve got to see a doctor today. Thank you all the same.”

“Well actually, I’m going to the theatre tonight. Thank you all the

same.”

If you refuse an invitation from your close friend, you can do it like

that: “No, I wouldn’t/don’t/can’t go for a walk now. I’ve got a lot of

work to do.”

While making an arrangement the British may use the following expressions: ”Are you available on the 17th?" "Can we meet on the

16th?" "How does the 3rd sound to you?" "Are you free next week?"

"Would Friday suit you?" "Is next Tuesday convenient for you?"

"What about sometime next week?"

When a partner agree on a date he/she may say: "Yes, Thursday is

fine." "Thursday suits me." "Thursday would be perfect."

Suggesting a different date he/she can say: "I'm afraid I can't on

the 3rd. What about the 6th?" "I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it

on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?" "Ah, Wednesday is

going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright

with you." "I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on

the 19th?"

Setting a time your partner will say: "What sort of time would suit

you?" "Is 3 p.m. a good time for you?" "If possible, I'd like to meet in

the morning." "How does 2 p.m. sound to you?"

When the arrangement is to be changed the following phrases may be

used: “You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very

sorry, but something urgent has come up." "I'm afraid that I'm not

going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?"

"Something has just cropped up and I won't be able to meet you this

afternoon. Can we make another time?" “Certainly not.” 63

 

DIALOGUES

Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.

1. A: What are doing tomorrow night?

B: Nothing special. Why?

A: How about going to the theatre?

B: Good idea? Where do we meet?

A: Will it be all right for you if I pick you up at six?

B: Quite.

2. A: Shall we go out tonight?

B: I’d rather have a quiet evening at home.

3. A: We’d be very glad if you came over tonight.

B: I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve got an appointment. I’ll come some time next

week.

4. A: We are going to the country for the week-end. Will you join us?

B: Sorry. I’ll be engaged.

5. A: Why don’t you join us?

B: Previous engagement.

6. A: How about going to the theatre tomorrow night? I’ve got two tickets/

B: I’d love to.

A: When shall I pick you up?

B: I’m afraid I can’t say now. Call me up at the office tonight. If I’m not in

I’ll leave a message for you with the secretary.

A: Fine.

B: Thank you for inviting me. I’ll be looking forward to it. 64

 

7. A: Do you remember we’re going to the concert tonight, don’t you?

B: Oh, I quite forgot. Thanks for reminding me.

A: When do we meet?

B: Is six all right for you?

A: Let’s make it 6.30.

B: As you say.

 

EXERCISES

I. Read the conversation and answer the questions given below.

John: Would you like to come out with me tonight?

Ann: Sorry, I can’t.

John: Tomorrow night then?

Ann: I’d like to, but I’m afraid I can’t.

John: Would you like to go to the theatre then?

Ann: I wish I could.

John: OK, well, give me a ring then.

Ann: No, I’d better not.

John: Why not?

Ann: Because I don’t think my husband would like it.

Questions:

1. Does Ann refuse all invitations in an apologetic manner. If so what language shows she does? 2. Is John polite? What language shows he is?

3. What would Ann have said if she had accepted John’s invitation?

 

II. Read the lines of the conversation and answer the questions given below.

Tom: Hi, Kate! I’m glad I bumped into you. There’s a party at Steve’s on

Friday. Do you want to come?

Kate: Is there? Yes, that sounds great. I don’t think I’m fixed up that evening so I’d love to … thanks. What time is everyone going? 65

 

Questions:

1. Are the speakers on the first name terms? 2. Does Kate accept the invitation enthusiastically? 3. What language shows she does? 4. Could both

speakers have said anything else with the same meaning? If so give possible variants 5.What invitation could the young man have used if they were

not on first name terms? 6. What might Kate have answered?

 

III. Read the following conversation and answer the questions given below?

John: Have you got anything fixed up for this evening, Rose?

Rose: Nothing special.

John: What about you, Sandy?

Sandy: Well, actually I was going to have a quiet evening at home.

John: And you, Sam?

Sam: Well, I’m preparing for the exam.

 

Questions:

1. What kind of relationship have the speakers got? 2. Why do Rose and

Sam decline John’s invitation? 3. Do Rose and Sam sound apologetic? If

yes/not what language shows they do/don’t? 4. What language could Rose

and Sam have used to sound apologetic? 5. What language should John

have used if he’d spoken to people he were not on equal terms with?

 

IV. Which of the following answers to invitations do you think are informal? Give reasons for your opinion.

1. Thank you very much for your kind invitation to spend the week-end at

your place. I would live to come and look forward to it very much.

With best wishes. Mary.

2. Thank you for the invitation to a movie on Sunday. It sounds great, I’d

love to come.

See you soon. Love. Mary. 66

 

3. Thanks very much for the invitation to your birthday party on Saturday.

I’m afraid I can’t make it as I’m leaving for Moscow at the week-end.

Very sorry. Hope it goes well.

Love. Mary.

 

4. Thank you very much for your kind invitation to dinner on Friday.

Unfortunately I’m afraid I can’t come as I’m already going out that evening.

With best wishes. Mary.

V. Fill in the missing responses:

1. - How about going to the museum tomorrow?

- ___________________________________

- Shall I call for you?

-____________________________________

- Will it be all right for you if I come at twelve?

- ____________________________________

- Settled. See you tomorrow then.

 

2.- ____________________________________

- Nothing special. Why?

- _____________________________________

- I’d love to.

- Is six o’clock all right for you?

- _____________________________________

- As you say.

3.- _____________________________________

- Let me see …. Yes, I believe I can.

- ______________________________________

- I’ll pick you up.

- ______________________________________

4.- Are you going my way?

- ______________________________________

- Shall I give you a lift?

- ______________________________________ 67

 

VI. Fill in the missing words.

1. … about coming out for a chat? 2. Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t. But thank

you all …. 3. I’m sorry, I won’t be able … it on Sunday. 4. Is next Tuesday … for you? 5. Are you … on the 15-th? 6. … you like to come to the

party?

 

VII. Make short conversations in the following situations:

1. You’ve moved into a new flat. You want to give a house-warming party

to get to know your neighbors. Invite one of them introducing yourself at

the same time. Your neighbor accepts the invitation enthusiastically.

2. Some friends have invited you to spend the weekend with them but you

have too much work to do. Decline this invitation politely.

3. A friend of yours invites you to a jazz concert. Accept happily.

4. One day you meet an old school-friend you haven’t seen for a long time.

Invite him/her to have a talk somewhere.

5. You’re responsible for organizing a sport event at your faculty. Invite a

prominent sportsman to take part in the opening ceremony.

6. Your friend has invite you to spend a day in the country. You are happy

to accept his/her invitation. Make the necessary arrangements.

7. Your boss is inviting you to his/her wedding party. You would be happy

to accept his/her invitation but you are not sure if your husband will be

able to go. He is very busy at the moment. Delay the invitation and explain

the reason. Promise your boss to phone back to let him/her know if you are

coming.

 

UNIT 9