Practise accepting or declining an invitation.

The idea

Say I would love to to accept. To decline, thank the person and say I cannot come because followed by a brief reason.

Examples

  • Thank you, I would love to come.
  • Yes, that sounds lovely.
  • Thanks for inviting me to the concert.
  • I am sorry, I cannot come because I have to work.
  • I would love to, but I am away that weekend.
  • Could we meet for coffee another day?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

I would love to, but… introduces a refusal when a reason follows; it is not an acceptance.

Try it yourself

  1. I would ___ to join you. (love / forget)

    Show answer or example answer

    love

    love expresses enthusiasm about attending.

  2. I cannot attend ___ I have a class. (because / under)

    Show answer or example answer

    because

    because introduces the reason for the refusal.

  3. I am ___, but I cannot make it. (sorry / green)

    Show answer or example answer

    sorry

    sorry makes the refusal more polite.

Use it today

Write a reply accepting one invitation and declining another.