The key idea
The learner can answer an invitation or change a plan with a clear answer, a reason and a next step.
What is it for?
Learn how to answer invitations and change plans in friendly messages.
What you need to know
- Thank the person for the invitation.
- Say clearly if you can come or cannot come.
- Give a short reason for your answer.
- Suggest another time or place when needed.
- Use the exact day, time and place.
1. Put your answer in the right order
A good reply gives the reader clear information. Start with thanks. Then say yes, no or maybe. Give your reason next. Finish with another idea or a next step.
- Thank the person for the invitation.
- Give a clear answer.
- Add a short reason.
- Suggest another plan when you cannot go.
Thanks for inviting me. Yes, I can come. I finish work at five.
This reply gives thanks, an answer and a reason.
Thanks for asking. Sorry, I can't come. Can we meet on Sunday?
This reply says no and suggests another day.
2. Say yes or no clearly
Do not make the reader guess your answer. Use a short sentence to say yes or no. Then give your reason.
- Use friendly words with friends.
- Say sorry when you cannot come.
- Do not give only a reason.
- Add another idea when you say no.
I'd love to come! I finish work at four.
The first sentence gives a clear yes.
Sorry, I can't. I'm busy on Saturday. Can we meet Sunday?
The reply gives a clear no and another idea.
3. Change a plan clearly
Sometimes you cannot meet at the agreed time or place. Say what must change first. Then give the new time or place. Say sorry and ask if the change is OK.
- Write the change first.
- Give the new day, time or place.
- Say sorry for the change.
- Ask if the new plan is OK.
I can't meet at five. Can we meet at six instead?
The message explains the change and gives a new time.
Sorry, can we meet at the library instead? Is that OK?
The message gives a new place and asks for agreement.
4. Give exact details and use the right tone
Your reader needs to know the new plan. Give the day, time and place when needed. Use friendly words with friends. Use polite words with people you do not know well.
- Write Saturday, not just later.
- Write six o'clock, not just in the evening.
- Name the place when you change it.
- Keep the message short and polite.
Can we meet at the café on Sunday at three?
The reader knows the day, time and place.
I'm sorry, but I can't meet at four. Could we meet at five?
This message is polite and gives a clear new time.
How to do it, step by step
- Start with thanks when you reply to an invitation.
- Say clearly if you can come or cannot come.
- Give a short reason for your answer.
- Suggest another plan or give the new details.
- Ask if the new plan is OK when needed.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| Thanks for + verb-ing. | Thanks for inviting me. | Thanks for asking me. |
| I'd love to + verb. | I'd love to come. | I'd love to join you. |
| Sorry, I can't + verb. | Sorry, I can't come. | Sorry, I can't meet today. |
| I'm + reason. | I'm busy on Saturday. | I'm at work until six. |
| Can we meet on + day? | Can we meet on Sunday? | Can we meet on Monday? |
| Can we meet at + time instead? | Can we meet at six instead? | Can we meet at half past five instead? |
| Can we meet at + place instead? | Can we meet at the library instead? | Can we meet at the café instead? |
| Is that OK? | Can we meet at six? Is that OK? | Let's meet at the café. Is that OK? |
UK / US: Both British and American English use these replies. Some words for places may differ.
Model text
Two Short Messages
Message 1: Saying no
Hi Mia, thanks for inviting me to the park on Saturday. Sorry, I can't come because I have a family lunch. Can we meet on Sunday at two instead? We can walk in the park then. Let me know if that works for you. See you soon, Alex
Alex thanks Mia, says no, gives a reason and suggests another plan.
Message 2: Changing the time
Hi Ben, I'm sorry, but I can't meet at five today. I have to finish some work first. Can we meet at six at the café near the bus stop? Is that OK? Please send me a message when you can. Thanks, Sara
Sara gives the change first, explains why and offers an exact new time and place.
Common mistakes
✗ I'm busy on Saturday.
✓ Sorry, I can't come on Saturday. I'm busy. Can we meet Sunday?
The first sentence gives a reason, but not a clear answer or next step.
✗ Thanks for invite me.
✓ Thanks for inviting me.
Use inviting after for.
✗ I can't meet at five. Maybe later.
✓ I can't meet at five. Can we meet at six instead?
Give an exact new time.
✗ Can we meet at six? I can't meet at five.
✓ I can't meet at five. Can we meet at six?
Put the change first so the reader understands it quickly.
✗ Sorry, I can't come. I'm busy.
✓ Sorry, I can't come. I'm busy. Can we meet on Sunday?
A new idea helps you make another plan.
✗ Can we meet at six? Is OK?
✓ Can we meet at six? Is that OK?
Use that in the question.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Read the invitation and find the day, time and place.
- Decide if you can go or need a new plan.
- Write your answer and give a short reason.
- Add another idea or the exact new details.
Check
- Did I give a clear yes or no?
- Did I give a reason?
- Did I suggest another plan when needed?
- Did I write the exact day, time and place?
- Is my message friendly or polite?
Practice
Choose the Clearest Reply
Choose the best reply for each situation.
1.Your friend invites you to lunch. You want to go.
The reply thanks your friend and clearly says yes.
2.You cannot go to a party because you have work.
The reply gives a clear no, a reason and another idea.
3.You cannot meet at five. You want to meet at six.
The reply gives the problem and an exact new time.
4.You want to change the meeting place to the library.
The reply names the new place and asks for agreement.
5.Someone you do not know well invites you for coffee. You cannot go.
The reply is clear and polite.
6.Your friend asks to meet on Friday. You want to meet Saturday at three.
The reply gives a reason for the change and an exact new plan.
Build the Reply
Put the words in the correct order. Add punctuation.
1.Put the words in order:
formethanksinviting
Start with thanks when you reply to an invitation.
2.Put the words in order:
tocomeloveI'd
This sentence clearly says yes.
3.Put the words in order:
ISorrycan'tcome
This sentence clearly says no.
4.Put the words in order:
meetatsixCanwe
Ask a clear question about the new time.
5.Put the words in order:
thatIsOK
Ask if the other person agrees with the new plan.
Complete the Message
Write the missing word or words.
1.Thanks for me.
Use inviting after for.
2.I'd love to .
Come completes this friendly yes.
3.Sorry, I come.
Can't clearly says that you cannot go.
4.Can we meet at six ?
Instead shows that six is the new time.
5.Can we meet on Sunday two?
Use at before a time.
6.Is that ?
This question asks if the new plan is acceptable.
Fix the Reply
Each reply has one mistake. Write it correctly.
1.Thanks for invite me.
After for, use the -ing form: inviting.
2.Sorry, I no can come.
Use can't to say no.
3.Can we meets at six?
After can we, use meet, not meets.
4.I'd love come.
Say I'd love to + verb.
5.Is that okay
A question needs a question mark.
Now write
Your task
Your friend invites you to the cinema on Saturday at seven. You cannot go. Write a reply. Thank your friend, say no, give a reason and suggest Sunday.
Word bank
thanksinvitesorrycan'tbusyfamilyworkSaturdaySundaycinemameetinsteadafternoontimeOK
Sentence starters
- Thanks for inviting me to...
- Sorry, I can't...
- I'm busy because...
- Can we meet on Sunday...
- We can go to...
- Is that OK?