Making plans and invitations
Make suggestions, invite people, accept and refuse politely, and agree on a time and place.
In this lesson you will
- Make suggestions and invitations
- Accept and refuse politely with a reason
- Agree on a time and place
Learn
Suggestions: Let’s go to the cinema. Why don’t we have a picnic? How about going for a walk? Shall we meet at six? (How about + -ing.)
Invitations: Would you like to come to my party? Do you want to join us?
Accept: I’d love to! That sounds great. Good idea. Refuse politely: I’d love to, but I’m working. I’m afraid I can’t — I’m busy on Saturday. Maybe another time?
Arrange: What time? Where shall we meet? Is 7 OK for you? See you there!
Examples
- How about meeting outside the station?
- Would you like to come for dinner on Friday? — I’d love to!
- I’m afraid I can’t — I’ve got an exam.
- Shall we say half past seven?
Vocabulary
suggest
put forward an idea
invite
ask someone to come
accept
say yes to
refuse
say no to
free
not busy
“Are you free on Sunday?”
In real life
Arranging to meet.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Mia: Are you free on Saturday?
Jon: I think so. Why?
Mia: How about going to the new exhibition?
Jon: Good idea! What time?
Mia: Shall we meet at eleven, outside the museum?
Jon: Eleven’s a bit early for me. Is twelve OK?
Mia: Sure. And then let’s have lunch.
Jon: Perfect. See you there!
Practice
How about ___ a film tonight?
Listening: Weekend plans
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Sam: Hi Lucy, do you want to come climbing on Sunday?
Lucy: I’d love to, but I’m visiting my aunt on Sunday.
Sam: What about Saturday?
Lucy: Saturday’s fine. What time?
Sam: The climbing centre opens at ten. Shall we meet there at quarter past?
Lucy: Great. I’ll bring some snacks.
1.Why can’t Lucy go on Sunday?
2.What time will they meet?
3.What will Lucy bring?
Speaking
Role-play: invite a friend to three different activities. They refuse the first two with reasons and accept the third. Agree a time and place.
Writing
Write a message inviting two friends to a birthday dinner: suggest a date, time and place and ask them to reply.
Lesson quiz
___ you like to come to the concert?
Review
Key points
- Let’s / Why don’t we / How about + -ing / Shall we.
- Would you like to…? Do you want to…?
- Accept: I’d love to! Refuse: I’d love to, but…
- Agree a time and place.
What you learned
- ✓ I can make suggestions.
- ✓ I can invite, accept and refuse.
- ✓ I can arrange a meeting.
Grammar reference: Would like and want