Making, Accepting and Refusing Invitation

Making and responding any invitation, formal invitation or informal invitation can be illustrated as follow using some keywords or useful expressions:

Making Invitations
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

• I would like to invite you to dinner next Sunday at my home.
• I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner on Wednesday evening.
• Would you like/care to have dinner with us on Saturday?
• What/How about dinner tonight?
• Let's go to our place for dinner.

Accepting Invitations
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

• Thanks for your invitation. I'd be delighted to.
• Thank you. I'd love to.
• Yes, thanks. That would be great/wonderful.
• Sounds great/like fun.
• OK/All right.

Refusing Invitations
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

• I'm awfully/terribly sorry. I have other plans for that night.
• I'd really like to, but I have an appointment that day.
• Thanks for asking, but I'm afraid I'm busy.
• I can't. I've got a lot of work to do.
• Sorry. I'm already tied up.

Hesitating
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

• Thank you, but I'll have to check my calendar. Do you mind if I tell you on Monday?
• I'm not sure what my plans are. Could I get back to you tomorrow?
• I might be busy. I'll let you know later.