How to Accept and Decline Invitations in English Politely and Confidently

Summary

In this Confident English lesson, Anne Marie discusses how to politely accept or decline invitations in English. Whether for work events, holiday gatherings, or casual get-togethers, she provides clear steps and useful phrases for expressing gratitude, confirming attendance, and offering help. Additionally, Anne Marie covers how to politely say maybe or no, with tips on being clear, apologetic, and respectful. She also provides examples for various situations, such as responding to invitations from yoga classmates or neighbors, and challenges viewers to practice these responses to improve their English communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always thank the person for the invitation, whether you're accepting or declining.
• 😀 When accepting an invitation, make sure to express enthusiasm with phrases like 'Thanks so much for the invite' or 'That sounds great.'
• 😀 Use phrases like 'Count me in' or 'I'd love to come' to confirm that you're accepting the invitation.
• 😀 It's helpful to confirm the event details, such as the time or date, to ensure there’s no confusion.
• 😀 Offering to help with the event, such as bringing something, is a polite gesture when accepting an invitation.
• 😀 If you're unsure about attending, express your uncertainty politely by saying, 'Let me check my calendar,' and follow up later with a final response.
• 😀 When declining an invitation, always start by thanking the person for the invite.
• 😀 Be polite but clear when declining, using phrases like 'Unfortunately, I can't make it' or 'I'm sorry, but I have other plans.'
• 😀 Briefly explain the reason for declining without going into too much detail; keep it simple and to the point.
• 😀 End your response on a positive note, such as wishing them a great time or expressing hope to get together soon.
• 😀 Practice makes perfect! Use challenge questions to practice crafting polite responses for accepting, declining, or saying maybe to invitations.

Q & A

What are the three steps for accepting an invitation in English?

The three steps for accepting an invitation are: 1) Say thank you for the invitation (e.g., 'Thanks for the invite' or 'That sounds great'). 2) Clearly express that you're accepting (e.g., 'Count me in' or 'I'll be there for sure'). 3) Confirm the details and offer help (e.g., 'I'll see you on the 10th' or 'Let me know if I can bring anything').

What are some phrases that native speakers use to accept an invitation?

Some phrases include: 'Thanks so much for the invite,' 'Count me in,' 'I'm in,' 'I'll be there with bells on,' and 'I'd love to come.'

How can you politely decline an invitation when you are unavailable?

To politely decline, start by saying 'Thank you for the invitation.' Then, apologize using phrases like 'Unfortunately, I can't make it.' Provide a simple reason (e.g., 'I have other plans that evening') and close with a positive note like 'I hope we can do it another time.'

What is a good way to politely say 'maybe' when you are unsure if you can attend?

When you're unsure, start by thanking them for the invitation and then say something like, 'I'm not sure if I can make it. Let me check my calendar and I'll get back to you,' or 'Let me see if I can reschedule something.' Always follow up later to confirm your availability.

What should you do if you need to say no because you're out of town?

Politely say 'Thank you for the invitation, but unfortunately, we’ll be out of town.' You can also add something like 'Hopefully, we can join you next time' to end on a positive note.

How do you accept an invitation when you're unsure about the timing, but want to go?

You can politely say something like, 'I'm not sure if I can make it, let me check my schedule and I’ll get back to you.' This shows you're interested but need to confirm your availability first.

What are some fun, informal ways to accept an invitation in casual settings?

Some fun, informal phrases include: 'I’m in,' 'I’m down,' or 'I’ll be there with bells on,' especially useful around the holiday season.

How can you offer to help when accepting an invitation?

When accepting an invitation, you can ask, 'Is there anything I can bring?' or 'Let me know if I can help with anything,' showing your willingness to contribute to the event.

How do you politely decline an invitation when you don’t want to attend?

You can decline politely by saying, 'Thank you for the invitation, but unfortunately I’m unable to make it.' It's important to keep the reason brief and offer a positive closing, like 'Hope we can do it another time.'

What are some expressions used to show you’re definitely attending an event?

Some expressions to show you're definitely attending include: 'I’ll be there for sure,' 'Count me in,' and 'I’m looking forward to it.'