Invitation and Replies
Invitation
* To invite someone for an occasion, we use the written form
Invitation.
Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite
our guests on some auspicious occasions like wedding, birthday,
wedding anniversary, house warming, the inauguration of a
shop / factory, etc.
Invitations are of two types
(a) Formal and (b) Informal.
These can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of
letters.
Main Characteristics
An invitation is a complete information.
It answers the questions: who, whom, when, where, what time
and for what.
The important components of an invitation
Occasion
Name(s) of the invitee(s)
Name(s) of the host(s)
Date, time and venue.
Name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees,
(in case of an official invitation.)
Format of Formal Invitations
In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in
a separate line with fonts of varying sizes.
Names of the hosts
Name of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation)
Formal phrase of invitation, for example:
Request the pleasure your benign presence / company Seek your
auspicious presence
Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
Date, time and venue of the event
Occasion/ reason of the invitation.
Characteristics of Formal Invitations
1. Meant for a lot of invitees
These are written in the third person
In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest, the name of the VIP
must appear prominently.
Name of the invitee is not to be included.
The addressee’s address is to be written only on the envelope.
Simple present tense is to be used.
The date of writing is not to be given.
There is no signature of the host.
The abbreviation RSVP
(French: repondez silvers plait) i.e.
‘Please reply’ is written below on the left side with name(s)
address and phone number of the host(s).
Put the invitation into a box.
Do not exceed 50 words.
Meant for an individual
(a formal letter of invitation)
Include the name of the invitee.
These are to be written on run-on lines.
The sentence is not broken into different words / phrases.
Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.
Writing Informal Invitations:
Written in a letter form, in an informal format.
Such letters are very persuasive in nature.
Written in the first person.
Salutation is ‘dear + name’.
Complimentary close ‘Yours sincerely’.
Date of writing the invitation is given.
Sender’s address appears on the left-hand side.
Various tenses used to suit the sense.
Replies
Replies Accepting or Declining
Formal Follow a set formula:
formal words: ‘kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’, etc.
Use third person (‘they’) instead of first person (‘I’, ‘We’)
Address of the writer and the date to be written.
Informal – Accepting or Declining
Like an ordinary letter
Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and
expressions
Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
1. As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s School,
Ahmedabad, draft a formal invitation in not more than 50
words for the inauguration of the club in your school.
Answer:
St. Anne’s School
Ahmedabad
We cordially invite all staff, students and parents for
the inauguration of the Literary Club of the School
on 29th July between 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. within
the school premises. Well, known novelist,
Mr Sandeep Kumar will be our Chief Guest.
You all are also requested to join us in the auditorium
for tea and snacks after the inauguration ceremony.
Secretary
2. The literary club of your school is putting up the play
‘Waiting for Godot’. As secretary of the club, draft an invitation
inviting the famous writer Sudeesh Gupta to be the guest of
honour at the function. Write the invitation in not more than 50
words. You are Govind/Gauri.
Answer:
ABC School
Shastri Nagar
Mumbai
February 20, 20xx
Mr. Sudesh Gupta
XYZ Lane
PQR Colony
Mumbai
Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest
Dear Sir
The Literary club of our school is putting up the
play ‘Waiting for Godot’ on 17th January, 20xx
in our school auditorium from 9-10 am. On behalf
of our club, I would like to extend a cordial invitation
to you to be the guest of honour at the function. It
would be our privilege if you consent to grace this
occasion with your esteemed presence.
Gauri
Secretary (Literary Club)
3. As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited
to inaugurate a Book Exhibition in your neighbourhood. Draft a
reply to the invitation in not more than 50 words, expressing
your inability to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi.
Answer:
Reply To Invitation:
The Principal
ABC College
March 25th, 20xx
Subject: Inability to accept the Invitation
Sir
I would like to express my gratitude to the Civil Lines
Book Club for inviting me to inaugurate the first edition
of the Civil Club Book Exhibition. But I regret my
inability to attend the function due to a prior
commitment. I have to attend a meeting with the
governing body of our college on the same day for
which the inauguration is scheduled.
Yours faithfully
Tanvi
Principal
4. You have received an invitation to be the judge for a literary
competition in St. Ann’s School. Send a reply in not more than
50 words, confirming your acceptance. You are Mohan/Mohini.
Answer:
Confirming Acceptance
16, XYZ Lane
ABC Nagar,
Chennai
St. Ann’s School
TVS Nagar
Chennai
Subject: Acceptance of invitation for judging the
literary competition.
Sir,
I would like to express my gratitude to St. Ann’s School
for inviting me to be the judge for a literary competition
in your school. I confirm my acceptance for the same
and will make sure that I am present there at the
scheduled date and time.
Yours sincerely
Mohini
5. Sunrise Global School, Agra is going to organize a one-act
play competition in the school auditorium. You have decided to
invite noted stage artiste, Nalini to grace the occasion. Draft a
formal invitation for her in about 50 words. You are
Karuna/Karan, Cultural Secretary.
Answer:
The Principal, Staff And Teachers
Of
Sunrise Public School
take pleasure in inviting
noted stage artist
MS. NALINI
to grace the one-act play competition
in the School Auditorium
on Tuesday, 1st April, 20xx
From 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Awaiting a favourable response from your end.
RSVP
Karuna,
Cultural Secretary
987xxxxx00
6. On 30th November your school is going to hold its annual
sports day. You want Mr. Dhanraj Pillai, a noted hockey player
to give away the prizes to the budding sportspersons of the
school. Write a formal invitation in about 50 words requesting
him to grace the occasion. You are Karun^/Karan, Sports
Secretary, Sunrise Global School, Agra.
Answer:
Sunrise Global School
takes pleasure in inviting
Noted Hockey Player
MR, DHANRAJ PILLAI
to grace the occasion of its
Annual Sports Day
and to give away prizes to our budding sportspersons
on 30th November, 20xx
From 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Awaiting a favourable response from your end.
Koruna
Sports Secretary
7. Your friend, P.V. Sathish, has invited you to attend the
wedding of his sister, Jaya. You find that you have an important
paper of pre-board examination on the day of the wedding. Thus
you cannot attend the event. Write in about 50 words a formal
reply to the invitation expressing your regret. You are PuneeV
Puneeta Vij, M 114, Fort Road, Chennai.
Answer:
15th January, 20xx
Thank you P.V. Sathish for your kind invitation to
the wedding of your sister, Jaya on 23rd January,
20xx. I regret my inability to attend as I have an
important pre-board examination on the day of the
wedding. Wishing the newly wedded couple a very
happy married life. Best wishes Puneet
M-114, Fort Road, Chennai