How to Refuse an Invitation in English

Hey guys, great to have you with me.

Today I'm going to give you three super useful tips on how to refuse an invitation politely.

So imagine your friend or your workmate has invited you to dinner tonight.

They said 'Hey, would you like to go to dinner tonight?'

The problem is that you don't really feel like it.

Maybe you feel tired or you just want some time to yourself.

I mean that's normal, right?

How do you say no to them without hurting their feelings, without upsetting them?

Let's have a look at three great tips on how to refuse an invitation politely.

I'd like you to meet Ben and Katie.

Ben invites Katie out by saying 'Do you fancy going out tonight?'

but hold on.

Katie needs to think.

You see, the problem is Ben's idea of a good night looks like this.

But Katie's tired and wants some time to herself so her idea of a good night looks like this.

So how can Katie say no to Ben's invitation politely?

There are three things she should do.

Firstly it's really important to thank the person for their invitation.

Secondly use a phrase that refuses the invitation politely.

And finally give a reason.

Let's have a look at some examples.

Katie could say 'Thanks so much but I'm afraid I've got plans tonight.'

She starts by saying thanks, then refuses politely before giving a reason.

Let's look at another example.

'That's very kind of you but unfortunately I'm busy tonight.'

Again she says thanks, uses a refusing phrase and gives a reason.

Ok, let's go back and see what she says to Ben.

So Ben says 'Do you fancy going out tonight?'

and Katie replies 'Thanks Ben but I'm afraid I've got something on.'

Which means that she's busy.

And Ben says 'Ok, no worries.'

Now that we've learned three ways to refuse an invitation politely, it's time to practise.

Below this video is a link to a free e-book with all the information that we've looked

at today plus a very special practice exercise.

Click the link below to download it.

Then I'd like you to share this video and the free e-book with a friend or a partner

or family member and together do the practice exercise at the end.

Why am I asking you to do this?

If you have a learning partner, you'll have someone to practise with firstly.

You'll have someone to help you if you make mistakes, if you don't understand something.

You'll have someone to keep you motivated and most importantly it'll be more fun.

Let's be honest.

learning with someone is more fun and you can laugh together about your mistakes and

you have fun with the language and you'll be with someone on your learning journey which

I think is really important.

Alright guys, thank you so much for joining me today, I've really enjoyed it I hope you

have too.

Please remember to subscribe to our channel, join us on Facebook, join us on Instagram.

And together let's take your English to the next level.

Alright until next time, this is Tom from Eat Sleep Dream English saying goodbye.