Invitations

FORMAL AND POLITE : WOULD LIKE ( TO)

In English, we use Would like to make offers, invitations and requests politely or more formally. Look at the chart that shows the two forms used with this structure with objects and actions.

WITH

Objects

Actions

POSITIVE

I would like a can of soda. I’m thirsty.

I would like to get two tickets for the Domination concert.

NEGATIVE

I would not like a hamburger because I am on a diet.

I would not like to go to Maluma’s concert.

QUESTION

Would you like some tea?

Would you like to travel to Europe with me?

SHORT ANSWER

Yes, I would. Please
No, I wouldn’t. Thank you.

Yes, I’d like to.
No, I wouldn’t like to.

The contractions for positive and negative sentences are:

I would like = I’d like
I would not like = I wouldn’t

When making invitations, requests or offers to do an action we use to after like. I’d like to buy that red dress.

My mother would like to get a round- trip ticket, please.
Would you like to watch a movie on Netflix tonight?

INFORMAL: LET’S

USES

Let’s is used to express suggestions, offers or informal invitations which include ourselves.

There are two negative forms of let’s: let’s not and don’t let’s. Let’s not is more common:

We can use the full forms let us, let us not and do not let us in very formal situations such as political documents and speeches, and religious and other ceremonies:

EXAMPLES

A: It’s lunchtime. Let’s stop now and have something to eat.

B: Okay. We’re all ready. Let’s go.

Let’s not argue about money. We can share the costs of the concert tickets.

Don’t let’s throw away the good books with the damaged ones. We can donate them.

Let us remember all those who have died in this terrible crime war.

We must forgive, but let us not forget, what happened on my last birthday.

Do not let us deceive ourselves that our political problems can be easily solved.

Let’s is the short form of Let us ( used in very formal situations)

Writing exercise

Es Listen to the conversations and complete the dialogues with the words you hear.

Escucha las conversaciones y completa los diálogos con las palabras que escuches.