How to invite someone out in English
Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?
“Do you want to have dinner on Friday?”
When: Inviting a friend or classmate to do something
The moment
You're chatting with a classmate after your evening class in Manhattan. Invite them to something this weekend, react to their answer, and if they're busy, suggest another day.
A2 · Unit 4 · Small talk & stories
The lines
The easy invitation
Use 'Do you wanna...' to invite someone: 'Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?' Change the plan: 'grab a drink', 'see a movie', 'check out the new market'. 'Wanna' is how people say 'want to'.
Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?
“Do you want to have dinner on Friday?”
When to use it: Inviting a friend or classmate to do something
What you’ll hear back: I'd love to! What time? (Yes, I want to! When?)
No, but another day
To say no nicely, give a short reason and suggest a new time: 'I can't on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?' This shows you really want to go.
I can't on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?
“I cannot come on Friday because I have to work. Is Sunday OK?”
When to use it: Saying no to one day but keeping the plan alive
What you’ll hear back: Sunday works for me! (Sunday is good for me!)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Count me in! | KOWNT mee IN | Yes, I want to join you! |
Karaoke on Saturday? Count me in! Singing on Saturday? Yes, I'll come! Tip: Enthusiastic yes; perfect for group plans and parties. | ||
| Can I take a rain check? | kan-ai TAY-kuh RAYN chek | I can't come this time, but maybe another time. |
I'm really tired tonight. Can I take a rain check? I'm very tired tonight. Can we do it another day? Tip: Polite no that promises a future yes; nothing to do with rain. | ||
| Are you free this weekend? | ar-yuh FREE this WEEK-end | Do you have time this Saturday or Sunday? |
Are you free this weekend? There's a street fair on Sunday. Do you have time on the weekend? There's an outdoor market on Sunday. Tip: Ask this first; it lets people say no before hearing the plan. | ||
Your objective
Invite them to something on a specific day, and when they can’t make it, suggest another day and a time.
- what you’re inviting them to
- another day
- a time
Lines that get it done
- Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?
- I can't on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You want to invite your classmate to dinner on Friday. What do you say?
- Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?
- Do you wanna grabbed dinner on Friday?
- You want grab dinner on Friday?
- Did you wanna grab dinner last Friday?
Show the answer
Do you wanna grab dinner on Friday?
'Do you wanna' plus the base verb 'grab' is the natural way to invite. The plan is in the future, so don't use the past.
2. Your friend says, 'Can I take a rain check?' What do they mean?
- They can't come now, but they want to go another time.
- They want to check the weather first.
- They want you to pay the bill.
- They are very excited to come.
Show the answer
They can't come now, but they want to go another time.
A 'rain check' is a polite no for today with a promise for later.
3. You can't go on Friday because of work, but you want to go another day. What do you say?
- I can't on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?
- I can't on Friday. Bye.
- I couldn't on Friday, I had to work. How about Sunday?
- I can on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?
Show the answer
I can't on Friday, I have to work. How about Sunday?
Give a short reason, then suggest a new day with 'How about...?' The plan is in the future, so use the present.