Page 59 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Small Talk

When are you free for lunch this week?
Let’s plan on having lunch this week. When is good for you?

Do you have time for a long lunch?
Do you want to try that new restaurant in the building for
lunch?
Would you like to take a coffee break this afternoon to discuss
[the meeting, the project, the report, my latest work]?
Would you like to go out for a drink tomorrow night after
work?
Do you play [tennis, golf, basketball, bridge, chess, cards]? I’d
like to [play, have a game, start a group] after work.
We’re having a [dinner party, get-together, gathering,
barbeque, wine and cheese party] this Saturday evening.
Would you like to join us?

When inviting someone, start by telling them the event, the day,
and time. Do not start by saying, “Are you free Saturday evening?”
Being specific about your plan and the activity gives the other person
a chance to decide on whether or not he or she wants to attend the
event. Otherwise, the person invited may accept the invitation not
knowing that the event is not to his or her taste. In that case, that
person could be in the awkward situation of having to figure out how
to get out of the engagement.

[I, My wife and I, My husband and I, My partner and I, My
family and I] would like [you, you and your wife, you and your
husband, you and your partner, you and your family] to join
us for [brunch, lunch, dinner, a small gathering, a picnic, a
wine and cheese party].

42