CELPIP Writing Task 1 — INVITATION

 CELPIP Writing Task 1 — INVITATION

Complete Lesson: Phrases + Vocabulary + Natural Samples

The biggest thing in an invitation email is tone. The same invitation can sound completely different depending on who you are writing to.

A close friend → casual, warm, conversational

A colleague → semi-formal, friendly but polite

A manager/community official → formal, respectful

Do not make a friend's email sound like a wedding invitation. CELPIP is testing whether you can communicate naturally with the right person.

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1. INFORMAL INVITATION — FRIEND

Natural opening phrases

Guess what?!

Are you free this weekend?

What are you up to on Saturday?

I’ve got something planned and you have to come!

Wanna join us for...?

I’m having a little get-together and I’d love you to come.

You’re definitely invited!

Come hang out with us for...

Natural expressions

It wouldn’t be the same without you.

We haven’t caught up in ages!

Sounds like fun, right?!

You have to make it!

Don’t tell me you’ve already made plans!

Who else is going to...?

We’re going to have a blast.

I’m sure we’ll have a good laugh.

Bring whatever you need and just come!

Hope you can make it!

Vocabulary

get-together — a casual social event

hang out — spend relaxed time together

catch up — talk after not seeing someone for some time

make it — be able to attend

host — organise an event

grab some food — get something to eat

have a blast — have a great time

mess around — have fun without taking things seriously

drop by — visit for a short time

set up — prepare or organise something

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2. SEMI-FORMAL INVITATION

Use this when writing to a colleague, neighbour, acquaintance, club member or someone you know but are not close friends with.

Useful phrases

I’d like to invite you to...

I’d be delighted if you could join us for...

We’re planning to...

I hope you’ll be able to attend.

It would be great to have you with us.

We’re expecting quite a few people.

There will be several activities, including...

Please let me know if you’re available.

I hope you can make it.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Vocabulary

gathering

occasion

activities

refreshments

venue

attendees

arrangements

celebration

participate

available

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3. FORMAL INVITATION

Use this when writing to a manager, official, organisation representative or someone in a professional position.

Useful phrases

I am writing to invite you to...

I would like to extend an invitation to...

We would be honoured to have you join us.

The event will be held on...

The event is scheduled to take place...

The purpose of the event is to...

We would greatly appreciate your presence.

Please let me know if you are available to attend.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to join us.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Formal vocabulary

extend an invitation

cordially invite

annual gathering

community event

official opening

special occasion

distinguished guest

attendance

participation

refreshments will be provided

1. INFORMAL TEMPLATE — CLOSE FRIEND

Opening

Hey ________,

“Guess what?! ________.”

“I’m planning ________, and you have to come!”

“Are you free on ________? Wanna join us?”

Tell them about it

“It’s happening on ________ at ________.”

“It’s going to be pretty ________.”

“We’re going to ________, ________ and ________.”

“The best part is ________!”

Why you want them there

“Honestly, I really want you there because ________.”

“It just wouldn’t be the same without you!”

“Plus, we haven’t ________ in ages!”

“Who else is going to ________?!”

Closing

“So, what do you say?”

“Can you make it?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve already made plans!”

“Let me know when you get a chance.”

Can’t wait,

________

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Question — Informal

You are organising a pool party for your friends.

Write an email to your best friend inviting them to the party.

In your email:

tell your friend about the party

explain what activities are planned

say why you would like your friend to come

Sample Answer

Hey Sam,

Guess what?! I’m finally having that pool party this Saturday, and you have to come! Are you free around 4 p.m.?

It’s going to be pretty relaxed. We’ll jump in the pool, play some silly water games and have a cannonball competition. After that, we’ll order pizza, put some music on and just hang out. Sounds good, right?! I’m also thinking of setting up a few games outside.

Honestly, I really want you there because it just wouldn’t be the same without you! We haven’t properly caught up in ages, and I know we’ll end up laughing about something stupid like we always do. Plus, who else is going to take the competition way too seriously?!

So, what do you say? Please don’t tell me you’ve already made plans! Just bring your swimsuit and a towel.

Can’t wait,

John

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2. SEMI-FORMAL TEMPLATE — ACQUAINTANCE / COLLEAGUE / NEIGHBOUR

Opening

Hi ________,

“I wanted to invite you to ________.”

“We’re organising ________, and I hope you’ll be able to join us.”

“I thought you might be interested in coming to ________.”

Tell them about it

“The event will take place on ________ at ________.”

“We’re planning ________, ________ and ________.”

“There will also be ________.”

“It should be a nice opportunity to ________.”

Why you want them there

“I’d especially like you to come because ________.”

“I think it would be a great chance to ________.”

“It would be great to have you with us.”

Closing

“What do you think?”

“Please let me know if you’re available.”

“I hope you can make it.”

“Looking forward to seeing you there.”

Best,

________

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Question — Semi-Formal

You are organising a neighbourhood barbecue.

Write an email to a new neighbour inviting them to the event.

In your email:

tell them about the barbecue

explain what activities are planned

say why you would like them to attend

Sample Answer

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to invite you to a neighbourhood barbecue we’re organising this Saturday at Riverside Park. It starts at 2 p.m., and I hope you’ll be able to join us!

We’re expecting quite a few people from the neighbourhood, so it should be a nice chance to get together and meet everyone. We’ve planned some outdoor games, a small cooking competition and a music session. There’ll also be plenty of food and refreshments, so nobody will go hungry!

I’d especially like you to come because you’ve recently moved into the neighbourhood, and I think this would be a great way for you to get to know everyone. It should be a relaxed afternoon, and I’m sure we’ll have a good time.

What do you think? Are you free this Saturday? Please let me know when you get a chance.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Alex

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3. FORMAL TEMPLATE — MANAGER / OFFICIAL / ORGANISATION

Opening

Dear ________,

“I am writing to invite you to ________.”

“I would like to extend an invitation to ________.”

“We would be honoured if you could join us for ________.”

Tell them about it

“The event will be held on ________ at ________.”

“The purpose of the event is to ________.”

“The programme will include ________, ________ and ________.”

“Refreshments will be provided throughout the event.”

Why you want them there

“We would particularly appreciate your presence because ________.”

“Your participation would ________.”

“We believe your presence would make the occasion even more meaningful.”

Closing

“Please let me know if you are available to attend.”

“We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us.”

“We would greatly appreciate your presence.”

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

Yours sincerely,

________

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Question — Formal

You are organising a fundraising event for a local community centre.

Write an email to a local business owner inviting them to attend the event.

In your email:

tell them about the fundraising event

explain what activities are planned

say why you would like them to attend

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I am writing to invite you to our community fundraising event, which will be held on Saturday, September 12, at the Grandview Community Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event has been organised to raise funds for improvements to our local community centre. The evening will include a dinner, a short musical performance and a charity auction. There will also be refreshments available throughout the event.

We would particularly appreciate your presence because of your continued support for local community initiatives. Your attendance would encourage our volunteers and help us raise greater awareness of the project. It would also be a valuable opportunity to bring local businesses and residents together.

Please let me know if you are available to attend. We would be honoured to have you with us and sincerely hope that you can join us for this special evening.

Yours sincerely,

Alex