GRADE 12 INVITATION – FORMAL AND INFORMAL

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.

1. These can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of

letters. Printed formal invitations don’t include the name of the
addressee.
2. Invitations to VIP to preside over a function do carry the name of
VIP prominently.

♦ 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.

2. 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.

♦ 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.

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.
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

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.
Answer:
ABC School

Shastri Nagar

Mumbai

February 20, 20xx

Mr. Sudesh Gupta

XYZ Lane

PQR Colony

Mumbai

Dear Sir

Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest

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)

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.

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 faithfully

Tanvi

Principal

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.
Answer:
Confirming Acceptance:

16, XYZ Lane

ABC Nagar,

Chennai

St. Ann’s School

TVS Nagar

Chennai

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

5. Your friend, P.V. Sathish, has invited you to attend the wedding of his sister,
Jaya. You find that you have an important paper of pre-board examination on
the day of the wedding. Thus you cannot attend the event. Write in about 50
words a formal reply to the invitation expressing your regret. You are Puneet V
Puneeta Vij, M 114, Fort Road, Chennai.
Answer:

15th January, 20xx

Thank you P.V. Sathish for your kind invitation to the wedding of your sister, Jaya on 23rd

January, 20xx. I regret my inability to attend as I have an important pre-board examination on the

day of the wedding. Wishing the newly wedded couple a very happy married life. Best wishes

Puneet

M-114, Fort Road, Chennai

I. PRINTED FORMAL INVITATIONS

Question 1:
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:

2. 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:
3. You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in postal coaching
for competitive examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT. Write letters
to the principals of some prestigious schools inviting the names of two brilliant
students from each institution to attend their Counselling Session free of cost.
Answer:
APEX ORIENTATION
38-A, Old Rohtak Road,
Karol Bagh,
New Delhi-110005
25th March, 20XX
The Principal
ABC School
Delhi
Sir/Madam
Sub: Free Counselling Session
Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive
examinations. We regard your school as one of the prestigious institutions of
Delhi. We shall deem it a personal favour if you recommend any two of your
brilliant students to attend our Career Counselling Session for IIT-JEE and
CBSE-PMT to be held on 10th April, 20XX. The participation will be free of
cost.
Kindly send your recommendations by the 7th April.
Ritu Nanda
Director

4. 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.
Answer:
Old Students’ Association
Mayo School
Ajmer
Dear Alumna/Alumnus,
Sub: 20th Alumni Meet
The 20th Alumni Meet of Mayo School, Ajmer will be held on Sunday, the 28th
Sept. 20XX at 8 p.m. at The Palace Hotel Ajmer. Old students, along with their
spouses will be our guests of honour.
Kindly assemble at 8.00 p.m. in the banquet hall for a get-together, dance and
dinner party.
Please confirm your seats by sending ₹ 500 to the undersigned.
Ayush K. Joshi
Secretary

5. 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.
Answer:
Springdales Public School
Gurgaon
25 Sept. 20XX
Sh. B.S. Bedi
2/27 Jorbagh
New Delhi
Sir
Sub: Inauguration of Cricket Championship
Our school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 Oct. to
8 Oct. 20XX. All the schools of the area are likely to participate. Your presence
in our midst will act as a catalyst and inspire us. You are requested to inaugurate
the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. in our school grounds.
Kindly confirm your availability by 30 Sept.
Yours faithfully,
Sachin Bansal
Head Boy

♦ 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.

♦ 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.

Informal– both Accepting or Declining

• Like an ordinary informal letter

• Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and
expressions
• Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
1. 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

2. You are Ankit Verma. Your friend from Malaysia is staying in the
hostel. Invite him to join Diwali celebrations with you at your
residence.
Answer:
315/2 Raja Gardens
New Delhi
25 October, 20XX
Dear Suru Nayak
You know that Diwali, the festival of lights, is approaching. It
gives me great pleasure to invite you to Diwali celebrations at my
residence. We shall have great fun.
Do join us for the ‘Puja’ and Diwali celebrations.
Yours sincerely
Ankit Verma

3. Write a letter to your friend inviting him on the house-warming-

ceremony of your newly constructed house.
Answer:
27, Urban Estate
Sector 15
Karnal
25 July, 20XX
Dear Vineet
I invite you at the house-warming-ceremony of our newly
constructed house in Urban Estate. The ‘hawan’ ceremony is at 10
a.m. It will be followed by lunch at 1.00 p.m. Kindly do join us on
this auspicious day. I’ll introduce you to my parents and close
relatives.
Yours sincerely
Arun Gulati
4. 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.
Answer:
Youth Club
Nainital
5 December, 20XX
Dear Mr Khanna
I shall feel obliged if you kindly spare some time from your busy
schedule and consent to act as one of the judges for an inter-school
group-song competition to be held on 24th December, 2OXX at 2
p.m. in the Community Centre, Dehradun Road.
Kindly confirm your acceptance by 10th December.
Yours sincerely
Navin/Neha
Secretary

5. Your parents have completed 25 years of happy married life. Invite

your aunt, living in Hyderabad, to join you in the Silver Jubilee
celebration of their marriage at your residence.
Answer:
245 Rose Gardens
Mangalore
25 March, 20XX
Respected Aunt
My parents Sh. R.S. Swaminathan and Smt. Parvathi Devi will be
completing 25 years of their happy, prosperous and eventful
married life next month. We are going to celebrate the Silver
Jubilee of their married fife on 5th May, 20XX. It will be a simple
ceremony. Only family members and close friends are invited.
Do join us on this auspicious day.
Yours sincerely
S.R. Parthasarthy

6. Nikhil has come out successful in the I.I.T Entrance Examination.

He has decided to have a party for his friends. Write out an
invitation giving details of venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50
words.
Answer:
D-42, Preet Vihar
New Delhi
10 June 20XX
Dear Pramod
Do join me on 15 June 20XX at 6.00 p.m. at my residence at an
intimate party to celebrate my success in the I.I.T. entrance
examination. You will meet a lot of our old friends also.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Nikhil

7. You are Roshan Khera, a resident of Haryana. Invite your friend

Hrishit Arora who lives in old Delhi to spend a part of his summer
vacation with you at your farm house near Pinjore.
Answer:
Shivalik Farms
Raj Pura Village
Near Pinjore
25 April, 20XX
Dear Hrishit
I will be returning to my farm house after the examination. I invite
you to spend at least a fortnight with me at my farm house. It is a
pollution free place with lots of trees and greenery all around. The
sylvan surroundings will have a refreshing effect on your heart and
mind. We shall also visit Pinjore gardens and Kalka hills. Looking
forward to your arrival.
Yours sincerely
Roshan Khera