How to give an invitation in English

When we give an invitation to someone, we are asking someone if they want to:

• go somewhere
• do something
• have something

In this lesson, you will learn 5 different ways to give an invitation.

Would you like…… ?

“Would you like…..?” is an excellent way to give an invitation. There are 2 types of form.

Form 1:
“would you like” + noun phrase

Examples:
Would you like a cake?
Would you like a cup of coffee?

Form 2:
“would you like” + infinitive

Examples:

Would you like to come shopping with me next week?
Would you like to have lunch today?
Would you like to dance?

Do you want.. ?

“Do you want.. ?” is another way to give an invitation. It is slightly more informal than “Would you like?”

Again, there are 2 types of form.

Form 1:
“do you want” + noun phrase

Examples:
Do you want another cup of coffee?
Do you want a biscuit?

Form 2:
“do you want” + infinitive

Examples:

Do you want to come to the party on Saturday?
Do you want to go for a drink?

Imperative form

The imperative form of a verb is the base form. We usually use the imperative form to give an order or warning to someone.

Example:
Clean the bathroom!

We can also use the imperative to give an invitation. Be careful. The imperative is very direct. Some people will find it too forceful.

Examples:
Come to the restaurant with us tonight.
Sit down. Have a cake.
Come to the museum. Bring your friend.

Why don’t you.. ?

“Why don’t you…..?” is a very good way to give an invitation to someone.

Examples:

Mark: Why don’t you come to the concert with us tonight?
David: Thanks, that’d be great.

Jane: Why don’t you join us for a drink after work?
Sarah: Thanks. I’d love to.

Clare: Why don’t you come to London with us next week?
Jane: Thanks, that’s very kind of you to ask.

You must / You’ll have to

We often use “you must…..” or “you’ll have to….” to give a vague invitation.
A vague invitation is not a firm invitation. It does not have a specific date or time.

Both structures are followed by the base form of a verb:

“you must” + base form
“you’ll have to” + base form

We often use vague time expressions:
soon
some time
after Christmas
in the new year

We often say this to be polite but we aren’t perhaps very enthusiastic about it.

Examples:
You must visit us in London in the new year.
You’ll have to have lunch with us soon.
You must join us for a drink some time.

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