Invitation

Invitation tells about how to invite or ask someone to come a long or join a particular program or activity.

invitation : :

1. A document written or printed, or spoken words, /onveying the message by which one is invited.

2. The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of a person's company; as, an invitation to a party, to a dinner, or to visit a friend.

3. Allurement; enticement.

4. A request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something.

**a written or spoken request asking someone to spend time with you socially or to come to a social event
The wedding invitations went out yesterday.
invitation to: Nobody in the office had received an invitation to the party.

**a request to someone to do something or go somewhere
invitation to do something: She has received an invitation to join a new environmental policy body.
decline/refuse an invitation: The senator declined our invitation to comment on the allegations.
standing/long-standing/open invitation (=with no fixed date): The former president has accepted a long-standing invitation to address the conference.

** invitation or open invitation an action or event that makes something unpleasant more likely to happen
invitation to: He described the low wages paid to police officers as almost an invitation to corruption.
an (open) invitation to do something: The banks will take the minister’s comments as an open invitation to charge their customers higher rates.

PHRASES

*at someone’s invitation/at the invitation of someone
if you do something at someone’s invitation, you do it when they ask or invite you
They came to Washington at the invitation of the president.
*by invitation (only)
available only to people who have been formally invited
a club with membership by invitation only
*without invitation formal
without being asked or invited by anyone
When someone comes nearer without invitation, we feel threatened.

Example Letter of Invitation



August 1, 2004

John Smith
Visa Services
123 Any Road
City, Country

Mr. Smith,

The American Evaluation Association (AEA) is pleased to invite Dr. Angela Doe to attend our Annual Conference to be held November 1-7, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. AEA's conference offers a forum for the professional exchange of knowledge and skills related to evaluation. Over 1500 people are expected to be in attendance from over 50 countries. They will have the opportunity to learn from 600+ speakers via presentations including workshops, panels, and paper sessions.

The contributions of international attendees such as Dr. Doe enrich the program through enhancing the diversity of perspectives and content represented. AEA members value the opportunity to learn from and with our international colleagues.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if I may be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Susan Kistler
Manager, American Evaluation Association

# How to invite someone :

- I would like you to …
- We would like you to …
- We would be pleased if you could …
- Would you please attend my party tonight?
- Would you please attend my birthday tonight?
- Would you like to … ?
- Shall we …?
- How about …?
- If you don’t mind, please come to house tomorrow.
- Let’s have to diner together with me tonight
- Would you mind coming to my birthday party?

# How to refuse / decline in invitation :

- I would love to, but …
- Sorry, that wouldn’t be possible. Thank’s anyway
- That’s nice/great. Unfortunately/However …
- That’s very kind of you, but …
- Sorry, that wouldn’t be possible. Thank’s anyway
- I’m afraid a can’t
- I can’t for now because I’m busy