REPLIES TO THE INVITATIONS
HANDOUT-02
INTRODUCTION
Replying to invitations is essential. It is an essential courtesy to the host who has extended an
invitation and also helps the host know how many guests will arrive so that he/ she may make
arrangements accordingly.
Like the invitations, replies to invitations are also of two types:
1. Formal Replies- Acceptance and Regret
2. Informal Replies- Acceptance and Regret
FORMAL REPLIES
Points to Remember
1. Acknowledge the invitation
2. Express thanks in third person
3. When accepting, confirm date and time
4. If declining, don’t give detailed reason, convey your best wishes
5. Don’t sign at the end
Formal Acceptance: Sample
Mr. and Mrs. Naidu
are pleased
to receive the invitation for dinner
on the occasion of the
50th Wedding Anniversary of
Mr. and Mrs. Mehra,
at Hotel LEELA PALACE
at 8 p.m. on Tuesday,12 September, 2021
and confirm their participation in the function.
Formal Regret: Sample
Mr. and Mrs. Naidu
thank
Mr. and Mrs. Mehra
for the invitation for dinner
on the occasion of their
50th Wedding Anniversary
on Tuesday, 12 September, 2021 at Hotel Leela Palace
but regret their inability to be present
on the occasion due to a prior engagement.
REPLIES TO FORMAL LETTERS OF INVITATION
Formal Acceptance: Sample
73, Sector-11-A
Chandigarh-02
October 15, 2021
President, Literary Club
Government Model Sr. Sec. School
Sector-19
Chandigarh-14
Dear Neha
Many thanks for inviting me to preside over the Inter Zonal Declamation Competition to be
held on 27 October, 2021 at 9.30 p.m. I shall be highly delighted to attend the function and
enjoy listening to the views of students. It would be kind of you, if you could provide me
with the official transport.
With warm regards
Yours sincerely
Shailesh Gupta
Formal Refusal: Sample
73, Sector-11-A
Chandigarh-04
October 15, 2021
President, Literary Club
Government Model Sr. Sec. School
Sector-19
Chandigarh-14
Dear Neha
Many thanks for inviting me to preside over the Inter Zonal Declamation Competition to be
held on 27 October, 2021 at 9.30 p.m. but I am sorry to say that I shall not be able to attend
the same due to a prior appointment with my doctor.
With warm regards
Yours sincerely
Shailesh
INFORMAL REPLIES
Points to Remember
1. It is like an ordinary letter.
2. Do not use any formal expressions.
3. Write in First Person.
4. Add some personal touch.
5. Sign at the end.
Informal Refusal: Sample
7-C, Yojna Vihar
Delhi-09
10 September, 2021
Dear Anuj
My heartiest congratulations to you on being selected in IIT JEE. Many thanks for inviting
me to attend your post selection party to be held on September 25, 2021 at your residence,
but I am sorry to say that I shall not be able to attend the same as I shall be out of station next
week. I shall miss this joyous occasion. I wish you all the best for the future. God Bless You!
Yours lovingly
Rahul
Informal Acceptance: Sample
7-C, Yojna Vihar,
Delhi-09
10 September, 2020
Dear Anuj
Many thanks for inviting me to attend your post selection party which will be held on
September 25, 2021 at your home. I shall be highly delighted to attend the same and be
right beside you to share your happiness and rejoice at your success.
Yours lovingly
Rahul
Practice Questions
1. You are AV Raman of Mysore. Prepare a formal reply expressing inability to attend the
marriage of a colleague owing to a prior engagement.
2. You are AV Raman of Mysore. Prepare a formal reply accepting the invitation to attend the
marriage of a colleague.
3. You are a renowned environmentalist, Sh. Vinod Kumar of 10, Nehru Park, Delhi. You
have been invited to inaugurate the Van Mahotsav function. Due to prior engagement
you will not be able to come for the occasion. Draft a suitable reply of refusal for the
same.
4. Your friend, Manish Tripathi has invited you to attend his wedding anniversary. You
cannot attend it as you have a family get-together on the same day. Write a polite letter,
in not more than 50 words, expressing your inability to attend the function. You are Mita/Mahendra
Juneja of 5, Vasundhara Colony, Patna.
