INVITATIONS AND REPLIES

A. FORMAL INVITATIONS
Main Characteristics:
1. A formal invitation is normally a single sentence presentation in third person.
2. Formal invitations are generally printed invitation cards. We use them to invite guests on
some auspicious occasion like birthdays, weddings, inauguration of shops, houses, etc.
3. The invitation answers the questions who, whom, when, where, what time and for what,
i.e.,
o the occasion
o name(s) of the invitee
o name(s) of the host
o date, time and venue
4. The other details include name, designation and address of the organiser, sponsor or host or
the name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official invitation.
5. Printed formal invitations don’t include the name of the addressee.
6. Invitations to VIP to preside over a function do carry the name of VIP prominently.
7. Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.

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.

Question 2:
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.

Question 3:
Your 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.
Question 4:
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. Joshi 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.

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.
 B. INFORMAL INVITATIONS

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’.

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.
Ans. 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.
Answer:
4357, Vasant Kunj
Raj Nagar
1 May, 20XX
Dear Vinnie
You will be pleased to know that the wedding of my elder sister Reena Sen is going to be held on the
15th May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View, Udaipur. The whole family will move there in the morning. I
invite you to join us at lunch in the hotel on the 15th. The wedding ceremony will take place at 8 in
the evening.
I do hope you will join us on the auspicious occasion.
Yours sincerely
Leena

RESPONDING TO INVITATIONS

A formal reply is usually very short. It is brief and to the point. The quality of a good reply is that it
must always be pleasant. Even while declining the invitation or expressing inability to attend one
must be polite and courteous. Formal replies demand a formal tone and treatment. There is no
room for unnecessary details or superfluous matter in them.
An informal reply or private letter may, however, express personal feelings or desires in an intimate
style and informal tone.
Main characteristics:
(a) Formal Replies
 Acknowledge the invitation.
 Express thanks in third person.
 Mention acceptance/regret.
 Specify the reason for refusal.
 Be brief and specific.
 Be formal in tone and treatment.
 Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
(b) Informal Replies
 Acknowledge the invitation in first person.
 Use second person for the sender of invitation.
 Mention acceptance/regret.
 Specify the reason in case of refusal.
 Use warm and simple language.

Q1.Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding
of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of
Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.

Ans.Mr and Mrs Vikram Gaur thank Mr And Mrs Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of
the wedding of their son Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 15 May, 20XX and
assure them that they will be present on the occasion to wish the newly weds a very happy
married life. Mr and Mrs Gaur will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at 8.00
a.m.
Vikram Gaur
5 May, 20XX

Q2.Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the birthday celebrations of your
friend Suresh Pradhan of 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur. You are Somesh Basu.

Ans.Mr and Mrs Somesh Basu wish to thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Pradhan for extending an
invitation to the birthday celebrations of their son Akshay at their residence 1235,
Vivekananda Marg, Belur on 20 March, 20XX and wish the young boy many happy returns
of the day but regret their inability to be present personally on account of some previous
engagements.
Somesh Basu
16 March, 20XX