Page 58 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Giving, Accepting, and Refusing Invitations

Don’t be a stranger.
Let’s do lunch.

Are you free sometime?

When an expression like, “Don’t be a stranger” is followed by
“Give me a call sometime” or “Let’s get together soon,” the speaker
does want to get together with you. This is a first step toward a real
invitation. People can be busy and caught up with family and other
commitments. As much as they want to and plan to make a firm date,
they may not get to it as quickly as they would like to.
However, actual invitations are definite. While the person who
offers offhand invitations like “stop over sometime” may be sincere,
most people consider it rude just to drop in without actually being
invited or at least calling to check if the time is convenient.
An invitation for a meal may be to someone’s home. Sometimes
friends have a potluck dinner—everyone brings a dish to contribute
to the meal. When you go to someone’s home, whether or not you
are bringing part of the dinner, you could bring some small gift, like a
bottle of wine, a box of candy, or flowers. An especially nice touch is
to bring a souvenir from your native country.
Other dinner invitations are to be someone’s guest at a restaurant
or just to join someone for dinner Dutch treat. On occasion, someone
may say, “It’s on me,” which means the person inviting you intends to
pay the bill. You may also be invited to join someone at a concert or
sporting event as a guest. Some invitations are spur of the moment
such as getting together for coffee.

Phrases Used to Give Invitations

Let’s have lunch together. I’d like to discuss the [meeting,
presentation]; I didn’t understand it all.

Can you join me in the cafeteria for [coffee, lunch]?

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