5. Invitations

Asking someone if they would like to do something

• asking friends: Do you want to ...?

• asking anyone: Would you like to ...?

• asking sb you don/t know very well: I was wondering if you/d like to ...

Saying yes or no to an invitation

YES

Yes, OK. That sounds great! Yes, I’d like that

NO

Sorry/I’m afraid I can’t Sorry, but I’m going to ... on ...

Conversations

1. - We’re going to the mountains this weekend. Would you like to join us?

- That sounds great! Thanks.

2. - Do you want to come to a party on Saturday night?

- Thanks for asking me, but I can’t. It’s my Mom’s birthday

6. Advice

• asking for advice

Can I ask your advice/opinion about something? Do you think I should... ? I’m thinking of ... . What do you think?

• giving advice

You should/ought to ... If I were you, I’d do it/I wouldn’t do it.

What you ought to do is ... The best thing is ...

Conversations

1. - Can I ask your advice about something? I’m really worried about my health.

- What you have to do is a nice long holiday.

2. - I’m thinking about dying my hair. What do you think?

If I were you, I would have done it long ago/I wouldn’t do it.

7. REQUESTS (asking someone to do something to you)

• asking friends

Can/could you ... ? Will you ... ? Would you mind ... (doing sth)?

• asking anyone

Could you ... ? Would you mind ... (doing sth)?

• when you want to be polite

Do you think you could ... ? I wonder if you’d mind ... (doing sth)?

• saying yes or no to a request

YES

OK/All right Yes, sure Certainly (formal)

NO (it is polite to give a reason if you say no).

Sorry, but ... I can’t really, I’m ... I’m afraid ...

Conversations

1. - Can you lend me $10 till Sunday?

- OK. Here you are.

1. - Could you give me a left into town?

- I can’t really. I’m waiting for a phone call.

8. PERMISSION (asking someone to let you do something)

• asking anyone

Can I ... ? Is it OK/all right if I ... ? Do you mind if I ... ?

• when you want to be polite

Would you mind if I... ? Would it be OK/all right if I ... ?

• saying yes or no to a request

YES

Yes, of course Yes, sure Yes, that’s fine

No (it is polite to give a reason if you say no)

Sorry, but ... No, sorry I’m afraid ... I’d rather you didn’t.

Conversations

1. - Is it OK if I bring a friend to your party?

- Yes, of course. Bring anyone you like.

2. - Do you mind if I turn on the TV set?

- No, that’s fine.

3. - Is it all right if I keep this photo?

- Sorry, but I only have one copy.

4. - Do you mind if I open the window?

- I’d rather you didn’t. It gets really noisy with the window open.