INVITATION

Man is social by nature. Hence interaction and communication between human beings is quite
natural. In fact, it has become unavoidable. We may share views either orally or in writing.
We hold many social functions such as celebrations of birthday, engagement, wedding, marriage
anniversary; appointment, promotion.

Invitations form an important part of social dealings. An invitation is a request to an individual to

come or go somewhere, or to do something.
Invitations can be both formal as well as informal. Formal invitations are formal letters. They
can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of social letters.

Formal invitations can be of two types:

1. Printed invitation cards inviting guests to be present on a particular occasion. Such

invitations do not include the name of the addressee.
2. Formal typed (handwritten) letter addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social, cultural
and educational function. In these invitations to VIPs the name of the addressee appears
prominently.

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.

FORMAL PRINTED INVITATION

1. 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.
 Answer:

FORMAL NON-PRINTED INVITATION

2. 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
Ph: 25384077, 25381077

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

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: Yours sincerely’.

1.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 Surunayak
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

2.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

Dear 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

WRITING REPLIES
(FORMAL AND INFORMAL)

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.
 Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

RESPONDING TO INVITATIONS
(i) FORMAL REPLIES
SOLVED QUESTIONS

Question 1:
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.
Answer:
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

Question 2:
You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental
Rights of Children’, organised by the Lions Club of your distinct. Respond to the invitation by
writing a letter to the Secretary of the club.
Answer:
25, Aram Bagh Road
Meerut

5 May, 20XX

The Secretary
Lions Club, Meerut
Sir
Sub: Acceptance of Invitation
Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and your concern
for the under-privileged children. I would like to utilise this opportunity to share my experiences
with other like-minded enthusiasts and experts.
1 hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.

Yours sincerely
Akshya I Aakriti

Or

Sir
Sub: Inability to accept the invitation
Thank you very much for inviting me to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of
Children’. I feel honoured and obliged. However, I shall not be able to accept your invitation due
to some previous commitments which keep me confined to my place on that day.
Thanking you once again for your kind invitation.
Yours sincerely
Akshay / Aakrit

INFORMAL REPLIES

Question 1:
You are Aakash/Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s sister
during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it.
Answer:
205, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi

4 March, 20XX

Dear Neha
Thank you for your cordial invitation on the occasion of your sister’s wedding. I, however, regret
my inability to be with you on this happy occasion as we shall be leaving for Shimla for summer
holidays on 1 May, 20XX. Please excuse my absence. Do convey my regards and best wishes to
the couple.

Yours sincerely
Varsha/Aakash
Question 2:
You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday party of your closest friend.
Respond to this invitation.
Answer:
217 MIG Flats
Surya Vihar, New Delhi

15 March, 20XX

Dear Shuchi
I have received your invitation for your birthday party on 25 March, 20XX at 5 p.m. at Hotel
Janpath. I am extremely happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there.
I would like to confirm my participation.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.

Yours Sincerely
Manoj/Mini

Or

Dear Shuchi
I acknowledge with thanks your kind invitation to your birthday party on the 25th March. I regret
to inform you that I will not be able to join you in the celebrations due to some very urgent and
unavoidable prior engagements that may keep me tied down here on that day.
Please accept my heartiest felicitations and love.
Kindly accept a small gift that I am sending through courier.
Wishing you a very happy birthday.

Yours Sincerely
Manoj /Mini