Invitation and Replies
♦ Invitation
To invite someone for an occasion, we use the written form Invitation.
Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite our guests on some
auspicious occasions like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming, the
inauguration of a shop/factory, etc.
♦ Invitations are of two types:
(a) Formal and
(b) Informal.
These can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of letters.
An invitation is a complete information. It answers the questions: who, whom, when, where,
what time and for what. The important components of an invitation, therefore, are:
Occasion
Name(s) of the invitee(s)
Name(s) of the host(s)
Date, time and venue.
Name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official invitation.
♦ Format of Formal Invitations:
In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line with fonts
of varying sizes.
Names of the hosts
Name of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation)
Formal phrase of invitation, for example:
Request the pleasure your benign presence/company Seek your auspicious
presence
Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
Date, time and venue of the event
Occasion/ reason of the invitation.
♦ Characteristics of Formal Invitations:
1. Meant for a lot of invitees:
These are written in the third person
In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest, the name of the VIP must appear
prominently.
Name of the invitee is not to be included. The addressee’s address is to be
written only on the envelope.
Simple present tense is to be used.
The date of writing is not to be given.
There is no signature of the host.
The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez silvers plait) i.e. ‘Please reply’ is
written below on the left side with name(s), address and phone number of the
host(s).
Put the invitation into a box.
Do not exceed 50 words.
. Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)
Include the name of the invitee.
These are to be written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken into different
words/phrases.
Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.
short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s School, Ahmedabad, draft a
formal invitation in not more than 50 words for the inauguration of the club in your
school. (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
St. Anne’s School
Ahmedabad
We cordially invite all staff, students and parents for the inauguration of the Literary Club of the School on
29th July between 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. within the school premises. Well, known novelist, Mr Sandeep
Kumar will be our Chief Guest. You all are also requested to join us in the auditorium for tea and snacks
after the inauguration ceremony.
Secretary
Question 2.
The literary club of your school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’. As secretary of
the club, draft an invitation inviting the famous writer Sudeesh Gupta to be the guest of
honour at the function. Write the invitation in not more than 50 words. You are
Govind/Gauri. (All India 2014)
Answer:
ABC School
Shastri Nagar
Mumbai
February 20, 20xx
Mr. Sudesh Gupta
XYZ Lane
PQR Colony
Mumbai
Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest
Dear Sir
The Literary club of our school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’ on 17th January, 20xx
in our school auditorium from 9-10 am. On behalf of our club, I would like to extend a cordial
invitation to you to be the guest of honour at the function. It would be our privilege if you consent
to grace this occasion with your esteemed presence.
Gauri
Secretary (Literary Club)
Question 3.
As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited to inaugurate a Book
Exhibition in your neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in not more than 50
words, expressing your inability to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi. (All India
2014)
Answer:
Reply To Invitation:
The Principal
ABC College
March 25th, 20xx
Subject: Inability to accept the Invitation
Sir
I would like to express my gratitude to the Civil Lines Book Club for inviting me to inaugurate the first
edition of the Civil Club Book Exhibition. But I regret my inability to attend the function due to a prior
commitment. I have to attend a meeting with the governing body of our college on the same day for which
the inauguration is scheduled.
Yours sincerely
Tanvi
Principal
Question 4.
You have received an invitation to be the judge for a literary competition in St. Ann’s
School. Send a reply in not more than 50 words, confirming your acceptance. You are
Mohan/Mohini. (All India)
Answer:
Confirming Acceptance:
16, XYZ Lane
ABC Nagar,
Chennai
St. Ann’s School
TVS Nagar
Chennai
Date:
Subject: Acceptance of invitation for judging the literary competition.
Sir,
I would like to express my gratitude to St. Ann’s School for inviting me to be the judge for a literary
competition in your school. I confirm my acceptance for the same and will make sure that I am present
there at the scheduled date and time.
Yours sincerely
Mohini
M/s Shyam Lai & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali
Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October
20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation letter for the purpose.
Answer:
Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs Raj Karan of 38, Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they may
use to invite their friends and relatives on the 5th birth anniversary of their son Nikhil at their
residence on 28 December 20XX.
our sister Nivedita is going to marry Akhilesh (S/o Mr & Mrs SM. Joshi,
Nainital) Your father Mr K.S. Bhardwaj has planned to hold the wedding at
Hotel Kunal, New Delhi on 25 May 20XX at 8 p.m. Write a formal invitation
on behalf of Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj inviting guests to the auspicious
occasion. Give other details. Do not exceed 50 words.
Answer:
You are the Principal of Zodiac Senior Secondary School, Ooty. The school has
completed 25 years of its meritorious services to the society. The Silver Jubilee
Celebrations are to be held on Sunday, the 26th October, 20XX. Mrs M. Kamath, the
founder Principal will preside. Draft a suitable invitation to be sent to important
dignitaries of the city and the parents of students.
Answer:
Question 6:
You are the secretary of Haryana Civil Medical Doctors’ Association, 2345 Sector 15,
Panchkula. You have organised a seminar on AIDS for the members of the association
and invited a specialist guest speaker. Draft an invitation for publication in the
newspapers.
Answer:
You are the Secretary of the Old Students’ Association, Mayo School,
Ajmer. The 20th Alumni Meet will be held on Sunday, the 28th Sept. 20XX
at 8.00 p.m. at Palace Hotel. Write invitation letters to ail the old students of
the school to attend the meet.
You are a student of Newton Public School, Nagpur. The school is holding
its annual function on Saturday, the 15th November, 20XX at 11 a.m. The
HRD Minister Dr M.M. Tyagi has consented to be the chief guest. Design an
invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invitees. Do not exceed
50 words.
You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Spring dales Public School,
Gurgaon. Your school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship
from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX. Write a formal invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the
legendary cricketer, to inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10
a.m. at your school grounds.
You are the Principal of Zodiac Senior Secondary School, Ooty. The school has completed 25
years of its meritorious services to the society. The Silver Jubilee Celebrations are to be held on
Sunday, the 26th October, 20XX. Mrs M. Kamath, the founder Principal will preside. Draft a
suitable invitation to be sent to important dignitaries of the city and the parents of students.
You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public School, Gurgaon. Your
school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX.
Write a formal invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the legendary cricketer, to inaugurate the
championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. at your school grounds.
B. INFORMAL INVITATIONS
INFORMAL INVITATION
♦ Writing Informal Invitations:
Informal
Written in a letter form, in an informal format. Such letters are very persuasive in
nature.
Written in the first person.
Salutation is ‘dear + name’.
Complimentary close ‘Yours sincerely’.
Date of writing the invitation is given.
Sender’s address appears on the left-hand side.
Various tenses used to suit the sense.
♦ Replies
Replies Accepting or Declining
Formal Follow a set formula:
formal words: ‘kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’, etc.
Use third person (‘they’) instead of first person (T, ‘We’)
Address of the writer and the date to be written.
♦ Informal – Accepting or Declining
Like an ordinary letter
Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and expressions
Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
Main Characteristics:
Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These letters are
written to relatives, friends and acquaintances.
1. These letters are first/second person presentations.
2. Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
3. The writer’s address is given in the usual place.
4. The salutation is usually “Dear’ plus “Name’.
5. The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.
6. The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
7. Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
8. The complimentary close is: Tours sincerely’.
♦ Replies
Replies Accepting or Declining
Formal Follow a set formula:
formal words: ‘kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’, etc.
Use third person (‘they’) instead of first person (T, ‘We’)
Address of the writer and the date to be written.
♦ Informal – Accepting or Declining
Like an ordinary letter
Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and expressions
Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
Q.Rohit has got success in CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to Shivaji Medical
College, Nagpur by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation giving details of
venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50 words.
Answer:
33/427 Priya Vihar
New Delhi
15 July 20XX
Dear Varan
You will be glad to learn that I have secured 80th rank in the CBSE-PMT competition. I have got
admission in a prestigious institution – Shivaji College, Nagpur. I want to share a few happy
moments of my life in the company of my old Mends at a dinner in the Hotel Kanishka at 9.00
p.m. on 23 July, 20XX.
Please join the celebrations and merry-making.
Yours sincerely
Rohit
Q.You are Leena Sen. The wedding of your elder sister Reena Sen is going to be held on
the 15th May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Udaipur. Write out an informal invitation to your friend
Vinnie requesting her to attend the function.
Q.You are Navin/Neha, the Secretary of the Youth Club of your locality. You are organising an
inter-school group-song competition. Invite a prominent musician to act as one of the judges.
Q.You are Manoj. You are going on a picnic with a group of your classmates to Kama Lake, near
Karnal. Write an informal invitation to your friend Mohit to join you on that day.
