Everyday situations
How to invite someone out in English
A2
Suggesting a coffee or a dinner, accepting, saying no politely: the phrases you need to make plans with people.
Quick answer
Inviting someone in English follows more rules than you might think. There are phrases to suggest a plan (without pushing), to accept (happily, but not too much), and to say no (without hurting anyone or lying). The key rule: Will you come? is fine between friends, but Would you like to come? is more polite. It leaves the other person free to say no. A polite no doesn't need more explanation than I can't make it: too many details sound suspicious. One more thing: between friends, Wanna + verb often replaces Would you like to + verb, but only when you speak.
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Suggesting a plan
Would you like / How about / Are you free + day. Always make it a suggestion, never an order.
- You
Would you like to grab a coffee sometime?
NeutralorDo you fancy going to the cinema tonight?
InformalUK→ Do you fancy is very British: a spoken way to say Would you like.orWanna grab a drink later?
Informal→ Wanna is for speaking only, never for writing.orI was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner.
Formal - Other person
Maybe! What did you have in mind?
- You
How about dinner on Friday? It would be great to catch up.
orAre you free this weekend?
- Other person
I think so. Let me check my calendar.
- You
No rush. Let me know if you're up for it.
→ If you are up for it means if you want to do it. It leaves the other person free to say no.
2. Giving the details: where, when, who
Give the practical details, so that your guest can decide.
- You
There's a new Italian place near the office.
- Other person
Oh, nice. Who else is coming?
- You
A few of us are going out on Saturday.
orI'm having a small gathering at my place.
- You
Feel free to bring a friend / a plus one.
- You
It's nothing fancy, just a casual catch-up.
→ Useful to tell people they don't need to dress up. - Other person
Sounds good. What time?
- You
How about 7 PM at the usual spot?
orShould we say 8?
orWhat works for you?
→ You let the other person suggest a time. - Other person
7 is perfect.
3. Accepting an invitation
Sound happy, confirm briefly and ask for details if you need them.
- You
We're going to the new Italian place on Saturday. Would you like to come?
- Other person
I'd love to!
→ The standard happy answer.orSounds great, count me in!
orThat sounds lovely. What time were you thinking?
orYes, definitely. Where shall we meet?
orI'm in! Should I bring anything?
- You
Just yourself! We're meeting at 7.
- Other person
That works for me. Looking forward to it!
orSure, why not?
Neutral
4. Saying no politely
Three parts: thank the person, give a short reason, suggest another time. You don't need a long excuse.
- You
Would you like to come to the cinema tonight?
- Other person
I'd love to, but I can't make it.
→ The standard polite phrase. No details needed.orThanks so much for the invite, but I'm already booked.
orThat sounds great, but I'm afraid I can't this time.
orI appreciate it, but I'll have to pass.
orI'm not really up for it tonight, sorry.
Informal - You
Oh, that's a shame.
- Other person
Could we do another time?
→ Suggest another time if you really want to meet.orMaybe next week?
orRain check?
InformalUS→ A common American idiom: it means “Can we do it another time?”.
5. Confirming or cancelling at the last minute
To be polite, tell people early, say sorry and suggest another plan.
- Other person
Just confirming we're still on for tonight?
orStill up for 7 PM?
Informal - You
I'm so sorry, something's come up, I'll have to cancel.
- You
Sorry for the late notice. Could we postpone to next week?
- Other person
No problem at all. Next week works.
- Other person
Where are you? We're about to order.
- You
I'll be running 15 minutes late.
orOn my way!
Informal→ This ends the exchange: you are already on your way.
6. Inviting someone to a formal event
A wedding, a formal dinner, a birthday: a written invitation with an RSVP.
- You
You're invited to the wedding of John and Sarah. Please save the date.
Formal - Other person
Thank you for thinking of me.
orI'd be honoured to attend.
Formal - You
RSVP by 1 May. Dress code: smart casual.
→ RSVP means please reply. You say the four letters: R-S-V-P. - Other person
Perfect, I'll let you know by the end of the week.
- You
I'd like to invite you to my graduation party.
Formal - Other person
That's so kind of you. I'd love to come.
Useful vocabulary
Verbs for inviting
- to invite (sb to sth)to ask someone to come
- to ask (sb out)to invite someone on a date
- to suggestto give an idea for a plan
- to propose (an idea)to put forward a plan
- to hostto have guests at your place
- to RSVPto reply to an invitation
- to accept / to turn downto say yes / to say no
- to make plansto decide what to do together
Things to do together
- a coffee / a drinka short meeting at a café
- dinner / lunch / brunchevening / midday / late-morning meals
- a meal / a meal outfood eaten together; at a restaurant
- a datea romantic meeting with someone
- a get-togetheran informal meeting of friends
- a party / a gatheringpeople meeting to have fun
- a barbecue / a BBQcooking food outside on a grill
- a movie / a film(US)a story you watch at the cinema
Saying yes and no
- count me inI want to join
- sounds great / lovelyyes, I like that idea
- I'm in / I'm up for ityes, I'll join you
- I can't make itI can't come
- I'll have to passI must say no
- I'm already bookedI have other plans then
- a rain check(US)a promise to do it later
- to postpone / to rescheduleto move to a later time
Practical details
- the time / the date / the venuewhen and where it happens
- a plus onea guest you bring with you
- a dress coderules about what to wear
- BYOB (bring your own bottle)bring your own drinks to the party
- casual / smart casual / formalhow dressed up you should be
- on the housefree, paid by the restaurant
- my treatI'm paying for you
- to split the billto share the cost
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Asking if someone wants to + verb | Do you fancy + -ing? | Do you want to / Wanna + verb? |
| Meeting for a drink | Grab a drink / a cuppa | Grab a drink / a coffee |
| Going to see a film | The cinema | The movies |
| Moving a plan to later (informal) | Reschedule it / push it back | Take a rain check |
| What to wear | Smart casual = neat, but not too formal | Business casual = neat office clothes, no suit |
| Asking for a reply | RSVP by + date | RSVP by + date |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. You come? ❌ and Will you come? (less polite)
You come? forgets the auxiliary (the helping verb that makes a question, like do, will or would). You will come sounds bossy, like an order. Will you come to my party? is fine between friends, but the most polite form is Would you like to come? For friends: Do you want to come? or Wanna come? (spoken only). Would lets the other person say no without feeling awkward.
2. Let's grab a coffee sometime is a social signal
People say this phrase all the time in English-speaking countries, but it is rarely a firm invitation. It is a friendly goodbye, or a polite way to end a conversation. To turn it into a real invitation, suggest a day straight away: Let's grab a coffee sometime, how about Tuesday at 4? With no day, accept that you probably won't meet.
3. A polite no that is too long
You don't need to explain in detail why you are saying no. I'd love to, but I can't make it is enough. A long excuse (I have to do my laundry and my cousin is visiting and the dog is sick…) sounds like a lie and is embarrassing. A short excuse + another date (Could we do another time?) is the standard polite answer.
4. Ignoring an RSVP or replying late
On a formal invitation, you must reply to an RSVP, and the date is firm. In English-speaking countries, ignoring an RSVP is very rude (the host needs to know how many people are coming). Even a no must be sent: Thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend. Always reply: people expect it.
5. Wanna and gonna in writing ❌
The informal short forms wanna (= want to), gonna (= going to) and gotta (= got to) are for speaking only. In writing (an email, a work message, a letter), they sound childish or careless. Use the full forms: Would you like to / Are you going to / I have to.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Inviting someone
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Frequently asked questions
How do you invite someone to dinner in English?+
There are three phrases, from formal to informal. Formal: Would you like to have dinner with me? Neutral: How about dinner on Friday? Informal: Wanna grab dinner? Always say when (day + time) and where (the place or the type of food). If you are paying, say my treat.
How do you suggest doing something in English?+
There are several phrases. Standard: How about + noun / -ing? (How about dinner on Friday?). Informal UK: Do you fancy + -ing? (Do you fancy going out tonight?). Informal US: Are you down for + noun? (Are you down for pizza?). Very informal: Wanna + verb?
How do you say no to an invitation politely?+
Use three parts. 1) Say thank you (Thanks so much for the invite / I'd love to). 2) Say briefly that you can't come (but I can't make it / but I'm already booked). 3) If you want, suggest another time (Could we do another time?). Don't give a long excuse: it sounds like a lie.
What does RSVP mean?+
RSVP means “please reply”. It comes from an old polite phrase. English still uses it on formal invitations. You say the four letters: R-S-V-P. RSVP by + date means please reply before that date. In English-speaking countries, ignoring an RSVP is very rude: always reply, even to say no.
How do you accept an invitation in English?+
Natural phrases: I'd love to! / Sounds great! / Count me in! / I'm in! / That sounds lovely. Then ask a practical question: What time were you thinking? / Where shall we meet? / Should I bring anything? People expect you to sound happy: a simple Yes sounds cold.
How do you cancel plans at the last minute in English?+
Always say sorry clearly: I'm so sorry, something's come up. I'll have to cancel. Then suggest a new date: Could we postpone to + date? If you will only be late: I'll be running + number + minutes late, sorry. Telling people early is the polite rule.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/inviting-someone
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.