INVITATIONS AND REPLIES

PRESENTED BY,

​

VINITHA V V

PGT ENGLISH

JNV , UDUPI

​

​

INTRODUCTION

Man is social by nature..

We hold many social functions such as celebrations of birthday, engagement, wedding, marriage, appointments, promotion etc. Invitations form an important part of social dealings. An invitation is a request to an individual to come or go somewhere, or to do something.The reply to an invitation can be accepting or declining. The quality of a good reply is that it must always be pleasant. Even while declining the invitation or expressing inability to attend one must be polite and courteous.

TYPES OF INVITATIONS

Invitations can be :

• Formal

Formal invitations are formal, polite, pleasant and

courteous .

They are of two types:

• Printed invitation cards

Invite guests to be present on a particular occasion.

Do not include name of addressee.

• Formal type(handwritten) letters

Addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social, cultural and

educational function.

The name of the addressee appears prominently.

​

​

• Informal

Takes the shape and form of personal letters.

Use to invite friends and relatives with whom we have intimate, personal and friendly relations.

Tone and treatment is relaxed, informal and friendly.

​

​

Formal Invitations can be written in two

forms:

​

1. Printed card form
2. Letter form

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATIONS IN PRINTED OR CARD FORM

• Name of the host
• Standard expression (Eg: request the pleasure of your company , solicit your gracious presence )
• Purpose of the invitation
• Day, date and time of the event
• Name of the place ,location with complete address

• RSVP (Respond if it pleases you)- Include an RSVP - this elegant abbreviation comes from the French phrase "Répondez, s'il vous plait"; which in English means "Please respond". An RSVP is essential at parties where you need to know exactly who will come, so you can organize things accordingly on the basis of their convenience.
• Telephone or mobile number or address of the host.

​

EXAMPLES

QUESTION NO : 1

M/s Shyam Lal & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October 20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation letter for the purpose.

​

ANSWER

QUESTION NO : 2

Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs Raj Karan of 38, Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they may use to invite their friends and relatives on the 5th birth anniversary of their son Nikhil at their residence on 28 December 20XX.

​

ANSWER

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATIONS IN LETTER FORM

• Sender’s address
• Date
• Receiver’s address
• Content
• Complimentary close
• Sender’s name

​

EXAMPLES

QUESTION NO : 1

You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in postal coaching for competitive examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT. Write invitations to the principals of some prestigious schools inviting the names of two brilliant students from each institution to attend their counselling session free of cost.

ANSWER

APEX ORIENTATION

38-A, Old Rohtak Road,

Karol Bagh,

New Delhi-110005

​

25th March, 20XX

​

The Principal

ABC School

Delhi

​

Sub: Free Counselling Session

Sir/Madam,

​

Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive

examinations. We regard your school as one of the prestigious institutions

of Delhi. We shall deem it a personal favour if you recommend any two of

your brilliant students to attend our Career Counselling Session for IIT-JEE

and CBSE-PMT to be held on 10th April, 20XX. The participation will be

free of cost.

Kindly send your recommendations by the 7th April.

​

Yours faithfully,

Ritu Nanda

Director

​

QUESTION NO :2

You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public School, Gurgaon. Your school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX. Write a formal invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the legendary cricketer, to inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. at your school grounds.

ANSWER

Springdales Public School

Gurgaon

​

25 Sept. 20XX

​

Sh. B.S. Bedi

2/27 Jorbagh

New Delhi

Sub: Inauguration of Cricket Championship

Sir,

Our school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8

Oct.20XX. All the schools of the area are likely to participate. Your presence in our

midst will act as a catalyst and inspire us. You are requested to inaugurate the

championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. in our school grounds.

Kindly confirm your availability by 30 Sept.

​

Yours faithfully,

​

Sachin Bansal

Head Boy

​

INFORMAL INVITATIONS

Follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters.

Written to relatives, friends and acquaintances.

These letters are first/second person presentations.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
• The writer’s address is given in the usual place.
• The salutation is usually “Dear” plus “Name”.
• The date of writing is given.
• The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
• Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
• The complimentary close is: ‘Yours sincerely’.

​

EXAMPLES

QUESTION NO :1

Rohit has got success in CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to Shivaji Medical College, Nagpur by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation giving details of venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50 words.

​

ANSWER

​

33/427 Priya Vihar

New Delhi

​

15 July 20XX

​

Dear Varan,

​

You will be glad to learn that I have secured 80th rank in the CBSE-

PMT competition. I have got admission in a prestigious institution –

Shivaji College, Nagpur. I want to share a few happy moments of my

life in the company of my friends at a dinner in the Hotel Kanishka at

9.00 p.m. on 23 July, 20XX.

Please join the celebrations and merry-making.

​

Yours sincerely,

​

Rohit

​

​

QUESTION NO :2

You are Leena Sen. The wedding of your elder sister Reena Sen is going to be held on 15th May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Udaipur. Write out an informal invitation to your friend Vinnie requesting her to attend the function.

​

ANSWER

4357, Vasant Kunj

Raj Nagar

​

1 May, 20XX

​

Dear Vinnie ,

​

You will be pleased to know that the wedding of my elder sister Reena

Sen is going to be held on the 15th May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View,

Udaipur. The whole family will move there in the morning. I invite you

to join us at lunch in the hotel on the 15th. The wedding ceremony will

take place at 8 in the evening.

I do hope you will join us on the auspicious occasion.

​

Yours sincerely ,

Leena

​

QUESTION NO :3

You are Ankit Verma. Your friend from Malaysia is staying in the hostel. Invite him to join Diwali celebrations with you at your residence.

​

ANSWER

315/2 Raja Gardens

New Delhi

​

25 October, 20XX

​

Dear Surunayak

​

You know that Diwali, the festival of lights, is approaching. It gives me

great pleasure to invite you to Diwali celebrations at my residence. We

shall have great fun.

Do join us for the ‘Puja’ and Diwali celebrations.

​

Yours sincerely

​

Ankit Verma

​

TYPES OF REPLIES

• Formal replies

Usually very short, brief and to the point.

No room for unnecessary details or superfluous matter .

CHARACTERISTS

• Acknowledge the invitation.
• Express thanks in third person.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason for refusal.
• Brief and specific.
• Formal in tone and treatment.

Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

​

​

​

​

Formal replies can be written in two forms:

​

1. Letter form
2. Card form

EXAMPLES

QUESTION NO :1

You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, organised by the Lions Club of your district. Respond to the invitation by writing a letter to the Secretary of the club.

ANSWER

25, Aram Bagh Road

Meerut

​

5 May, 20XX

​

The Secretary

Lions Club, Meerut

​

Sub: Acceptance of Invitation

​

Sir,

Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of

Children’, and your concern for the under-privileged children. I would like to

utilise this opportunity to share my experiences with other like-minded

enthusiasts and experts.

1 hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.

​

Yours sincerely

​

Akshya / Aakriti

​

QUESTION NO :2

Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.

​

ANSWER

Mr and Mrs Vikram Gaur thank Mr And Mrs Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the wedding of their son Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15 May, 20XX and assure them that they will be present on the occasion to wish the newly weds a very happy married life. Mr and Mrs Gaur will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00 a.m.

Vikram Gaur

​

• Informal replies
• Acknowledge the invitation in first person.
• Use second person for the sender of invitation.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason in case of refusal.
• Use warm and simple language.

Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

​

EXAMPLES

QUESTION NO :1

You are Aakash / Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s sister during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it.

​

ANSWER

205, Vasant Kunj

New Delhi

​

4 March, 20XX

​

Dear Neha,

​

Thank you for your cordial invitation on the occasion of your

sister’s wedding. I, however, regret my inability to be with you

on this happy occasion as we shall be leaving for Shimla for

summer holidays on 1 May, 20XX. Please excuse my absence.

Do convey my regards and best wishes to the couple.

​

Yours sincerely

​

Varsha/Aakash

​

​

QUESTION NO :2

You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday party of your closest friend. Respond to this invitation.

ANSWER

217 MIG Flats

Surya Vihar, New Delhi

​

15 March, 20XX

​

Dear Shuchi,

​

I have received your invitation for your birthday party on

25 March, 20XX at 5 p.m. at Hotel Janpath. I am extremely

happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there.

I would like to confirm my participation.

Looking forward to the momentous occasion.

​

With love

​

Manoj/Mini

​