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Day 59 of 60 · A2 · Speaking
To accept, say I'd love to or Thanks for inviting me. To decline, thank the person, say I'm afraid I can't and give a reason: I'm busy on Friday. Maybe another time?
English speakers expect a thank-you and a short reason when you say no, so a bare No or I can't come can sound rude, even when you don't mean it.
| ✗ Don't say | ✓ Say |
|---|---|
| No, I can't come. | Thanks for inviting me, but I'm afraid I can't come. |
| Yes, I'd love. | Yes, I'd love to! |
| No. I'm busy. | Sorry, I'm busy on Friday. Maybe another time? |
| — | Thanks for inviting me. I'd love to join your study group. |
A: Would you like to come to the cinema with us on Friday?
B: Thanks for inviting me, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm busy on Friday.
A: No problem. What about Saturday?
B: I'd love to! See you then.
Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.
After I'd love to, stop or add the verb: I'd love to come. Don't say I'd love on its own. Here I'm afraid just means sorry; it has nothing to do with fear.
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