Inviting someone who might say no

1. 1
   invite/ˌɪnˈvaɪt/

   verb

   To ask somebody to come to something.
2. 2
   busy/ˈbɪzi/

   adjective

   Having a lot to do.
3. 3
   join/dʒɔɪn/

   verb

   To come and be part of something.
4. 4
   perhaps/pərˈhæps/

   adverb

   Maybe.
5. 5
   welcome/ˈwelkəm/

   adjective

   Wanted and gladly received.
6. 6
   pressure/ˈpreʃər/

   noun

   A feeling of being pushed to do something.
7. 7
   convenient/kənˈviːnjənt/

   adjective

   Easy for somebody to manage.
8. 8
   another/əˈnʌðər/

   adjective

   One more, or a different one.
9. 9
   honest/ˈɑːnəst/

   adjective

   Saying what is really true.
10. 10
    prefer/prəˈfɜːr/iAlso said priːˈfɜːr.

    verb

    To like one thing more than another.

The sentences

1. I wanted to invite you at the weekend.

2. If you are busy that is completely fine.

3. Would you like to join us later?

4. Perhaps another weekend would suit you better.

5. You are very welcome to bring someone.

6. There is really no pressure at all.

7. Whatever is convenient for you works.

8. We could do it another time instead.

9. Just be honest if you would rather not.

10. Would you prefer somewhere closer to home?

Pronunciation

• invite/ˌɪnˈvaɪt/

  As a verb the stress is on the second syllable: in-VITE.

• busy/ˈbɪzi/

  The U is an I sound: BIZ-y.

• perhaps/pərˈhæps/

  Stress the second syllable: per-HAPS.

• pressure/ˈpreʃər/

  Two syllables and the SS is SH: PRESH-er.

• convenient/kənˈviːnjənt/

  Stress the second syllable: con-VEEN-ient.

• honest/ˈɑːnəst/

  The H is silent: ON-ist.

• prefer/prəˈfɜːr/

  Stress the second syllable: pre-FER.

Questions

How do you invite someone without pressuring them in English?

You can say "I wanted to invite you at the weekend" and add "There is really no pressure at all" so they feel free to say no.

What do you say if someone might be busy?

You can say "If you are busy that is completely fine" to make it easy for them to decline.

How do you suggest another time in English?

You can say "Perhaps another weekend would suit you better" or "We could do it another time instead."