Explanation
Exercises
Writing · A1

Reply to an Invitation

Learn how to reply to an invitation by thanking the person, accepting or declining, adding a detail or reason, and finishing politely.

Invitations and Replies Short reply 15 min 25–35 words
Lesson progress
Explanation · 1 / 4

Learn how to accept or decline. Then practise in the Exercises tab.

Learning objective

In this lesson, you will learn how to reply to an invitation: greet the person, thank them, say clearly if you can come, add one useful detail or a simple reason, and finish with a friendly closing.

Model 1: Accepting an invitation

Hi Anna! Thank you for the invitation. I'd love to come to your party on Saturday. I can arrive at six. I'll bring some juice. See you then! Emma

Model 2: Declining an invitation

Hi Anna! Thank you for the invitation. I'm sorry, but I can't come to your party on Saturday because I am working. I hope you have a great time! Emma

How to write

1
Start with a greeting.

Hi Anna!

2
Thank the person.

Thank you for the invitation.

3
Accept or decline clearly.

I'd love to come.
I'm sorry, but I can't come.

4
Add a detail or a reason.

I can arrive at six.
I can't come because I am working.

5
Finish with a friendly closing.

See you then!
I hope you have a great time!

Useful phrases

Hi ...!
Thank you for the invitation.
Thanks for inviting me.
I'd love to come.
Yes, I can come.
I can arrive at...
I'll bring...
I'm sorry, but I can't come.
I can't come because...
See you then!
Have a great time!
Thanks again!

Language focus

Use these phrases to accept:

I'd love to come.

Yes, I can come.

That sounds great!

Use these phrases to decline politely:

I'm sorry, but I can't come.

I can't come because I am working.

Maybe next time.

Remember:
Thank you for the invitation.
I'd love to come.
I'm sorry, but I can't come.
Not: I don't can come.
Exercises:
1
2
3
Exercise 1 · Language

Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence in each question.

Practise thanking, accepting, declining, adding details, and closing politely.
Exercise 1 · 2 / 4

Remember: use “can / can't + base verb” and “I'd love to + base verb”.

1
Which sentence is correct?
2
Which accepting reply is correct?
3
Which sentence is correct?
4
Which sentence is correct?
5
Which declining reply is correct?
6
Which closing is correct?
Exercise 2 · Structure

Build a reply to an invitation

Choose the best sentence for each part of Emma’s accepting reply.

Put the main parts of a short reply in a clear order.
Exercise 2 · 3 / 4

A clear reply can include a greeting, thanks, a clear answer, one or two details, and a closing.

1
Greeting
2
Thanking
3
Clear answer
4
Event detail
5
Extra detail
6
Closing
Exercise 3 · Writing

Reply to an invitation

Now write your own short reply. You can accept or decline the invitation.

Use what you learned in this lesson.
Exercise 3 · 4 / 4

Write about 25–35 words. Make your answer clear and polite.

Your task

Write a 25–35 word reply to a friend's invitation. Accept or decline.

  • start with a greeting
  • thank the person for the invitation
  • say clearly if you can come
  • add one useful detail if you accept, or a reason if you decline
  • finish with a friendly closing
Hi ...! Thank you for the invitation. Thanks for inviting me. I'd love to come. Yes, I can come. I can arrive at... I'll bring... I'm sorry, but I can't come. I can't come because... See you then! Have a great time!
Your writing
0 words · Target: 25–35

Your draft is saved automatically on this device.

Quick check
• Write about 25–35 words
• Start with a greeting
• Thank the person for the invitation
• Say clearly if you can come
• Add a useful detail or a simple reason
• Finish with a friendly closing
AI feedback

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