How to say it · Plans, time and sorry

Inviting someone out

You'd like to do something with someone: a coffee, a film, dinner. The right words make it easy for them to say yes, and just as easy to say no.

6 ways to say it

By the building's mailboxes, Jo invites her neighbour for a coffee; her speech bubble shows two cups clinking.

How formalCasualFormal

Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?best default Want to come along?join the plan We should hang out sometimeloose and vague Are you free on Saturday?check first Would you like to come for dinner?warm and polite I was wondering if you'd like to join uscareful and formal

Way 1 · best default

Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?

A friendly, low-pressure invite. Very British, and fine with friends, classmates or colleagues.

How formalMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Do you fancy grabbing a coffee after class?

I've got a break at three. Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?

In a conversation

A: That meeting was long.
B: Tell me about it. Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?

Common mistake

Not: ~~I invite~~ you ~~to drink coffee.~~

Say: Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?

"I invite you" sounds like a printed wedding card. In speech, English invites with a question.

Practice saying this

Next: Want to come along?

Way 2 · join the plan

Want to come along?

Asks someone to join something you're already doing with other people.

How formalVery casual

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

A few of us are going bowling tonight. Want to come along?

I'm off to the market later. Want to come along?

In a conversation

A: What are you up to on Saturday?
B: We're having a picnic in the park. Want to come along?

Practice saying this

Next: We should hang out sometime

Way 3 · loose and vague

We should hang out sometime

A friendly idea, not a real plan yet. Nice for ending a chat on a warm note.

How formalVery casual

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

It was so good to see you. We should hang out sometime.

You like climbing too? We should hang out sometime.

Practice saying this

Next: Are you free on Saturday?

Way 4 · check first

Are you free on Saturday?

Checks if they're busy before you invite them, so they can say no without turning you down.

How formalCasual

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Are you free on Saturday? There's a food festival in town.

Hey, are you free on Saturday afternoon? I need help moving a sofa.

Common mistake

Not: Do you ~~have~~ free ~~time~~ on Saturday?

Say: Are you free on Saturday?

"Free time" means spare time in general, for hobbies. To ask about one day, just say "Are you free?"

Practice saying this

Next: Would you like to come for dinner?

Way 5 · warm and polite

Would you like to come for dinner?

A polite invite for a meal, often at your home. Good with neighbours, in-laws or new friends.

How formalFormal

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

We're making pho on Sunday. Would you like to come for dinner?

Would you like to come for dinner one evening next week?

In a conversation

A: We've only just moved in, so we don't know anyone yet.
B: Well, would you like to come for dinner on Friday?

Common mistake

Not: Do you ~~want~~ to ~~go eating with me?~~

Say: Would you like to come for dinner?

"Go + -ing" works for activities like swimming, not meals. Say "come for dinner" or "go for dinner".

Practice saying this

Next: I was wondering if you'd like to join us

Way 6 · careful and formal

I was wondering if you'd like to join us

Very polite and indirect. Good for a manager, a client or someone you don't know well.

How formalVery formal

ToneFormal

Use itAt work

Examples

We're having a team lunch on Friday. I was wondering if you'd like to join us.

I was wondering if you'd like to join us for drinks after the conference.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?Want to come along?We should hang out sometime Are you free on Saturday?

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

More moments like this