Speaking activity: Focus on functions Invitations Apologizing Agreeing and disagreeing

Invitations Making an invitation Accepting Refusing Offering to bring something and respond

Making an invitation I’d like to invite you to dinner this Saturday. I was wondering if you’d like to… We are going to have a few friends over on Monday, and we’d love you to come. Are you free on Saturday? Would you like to… How about dinner? Let’s go to our place for a beer.

Accepting Thank you. I’d love to. That would be wonderful. Mmm, that’s a great idea. Yes, thank you. What time? Sounds great! OK/ Alright.

refusing I’m awfully sorry, but I have another plans. I wish I could, but… I’d really like to, but… Sorry, I’ve already made plans for Saturday. Oh darn! Have to…

Offering to bring something and respond I wonder if I might be able to bring something? Let me bring something, won’t you? Is there anything I could bring? What shall I bring? Can I bring the wine? Respond: It’s enough just to have you come. Oh, you don’t need to. Just bring yourself. Well, thankx, if you’d like to.

Apologizing Usually, you apologize if you have violated a social rule or have done something that hurts on inconveniences another person. The function of the apology is to show regret for the wrongdoing and to offer an explanation or a remedy. Apology Response

Apology Forgive me. I’m terribly sorry about… Please accept my apologies for… I would like to apologize for… I apologize for… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Oh no! Did I do that? I’m sorry! Sorry about that.

response That’s quite alright. I understand completely You don’t need to apologize. Oh that’s alright. It can happen to anyone. Oh, well, that’s life. Don’t worry about that. Forget it. It’s OK.

Agreeing and disagreeing Complete agreement Indirect disagreement Direct disagreement

Complete agreement I agree completely… That’s just what I think, of course. In my opinion, you are correct. I couldn’t agree more. You’re right. Sure.

Indirect disagreement I’m not sure I can agree. I wonder if there’s a mistake. In my opinion,… Are you absolutely sure? I may be wrong, but… Really? Oh, I don’t know.

Direct disagreement I’m sorry, but I have to disagree. I couldn’t agree less. I refuse to believe that… No, that’s wrong. You’re dead wrong. No way!