Lesson 9 – Dealing with invitations
The topic of this lesson is free time – leisure time. I had time to :
- take part in a roleplay where you make arrangements with others
- learn phrases used for making arrangements
- practise using phrases for accepting and refusing invitations
- focus on using weak forms and contractions (i.e short-form) to sound more natural
How do you spend your free time?
How often do you do the following things?
(Hints: Go clubbing, go to the cinema, go out for a drink, go on a date, go shopping, go to an exhibition/exposition 博覽會/ a carnival 嘉年華, go for a coffee, go to karaoke, go for a meal with friends, go away somewhere for the weekend etc…)
Well, I am working in shifts, 24/7/365 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year) – round-the-clock – at all weather conditions. Have to say that my workplace give people sense of demanding and multi-tasking challenging, it is rewarding though. Sometimes, I am worn out after work – my bleary eyes could be the best evident. When I have a day off or holiday, I nearly always spend my time at home. I usually sleep a consecutive 9-10 hours till waking up naturally. I bring my parents out for meal half the time or go out with friends sometimes – I always want to savor my time with them. After tasting the food, I usually go jogging along the riverside as well. Doing exercise is important – it help me to unwind, to get recharge and somehow it is good for our well-being. I rarely go clubbing and cinema. Instead I’d love to hang out at coffee shop. That’s how I spend my free time.
Ok…back to the lessons’ content, I have learnt how to invite others to do something:
- How about (doing sth)?
- What about (doing sth)?
- Would you like to (do sth) with me on (Mon. Tue, Wed..)/in the (morning/afternoon/evening)?
- Do you want to (go to see a movie)?
- Why don’t we (go for a coffee) after the lesson?
- Any plan for tomorrow night? There is an interesting lecture…
- Are you doing anything this evening? Like to have a drink/ watch a movie?
If we accept the invitation, we may say:
- I’d love to. I have been waiting for ages
- Great! I haven’t seen one for ages
- Oh! That would be nice.
- Great! What time do you want to meet?
- Please Count me In!
- What a wonderful idea!
- Let’s do it!
If we refuse to the invitation, we may say:
- It’s a shame! I have a prior engagement, I am so sorry. [formal]
- I’d love to, BUT …
- Not (tomorrow/this time), there’s something I’ve got to do. What a shame!
- I think so, but …
- I’ve got friends coming round on Sunday, I’m afraid.
- I’ve got to work late today – some other time maybe.
- I’ve already got something planned – some other time maybe.
- Sorry, please count me out! I’ve got to …
- I would if I could, but I can’t. What a shame!
So, if we are refused from others, we may ask:
- Wouldn’t you like to go …?
(double check their decision)
