When we give somebody an invitation, we ask if they would like to go somewhere or do something or have something. We can use the formal phrasewould you like (to) and the more informal phrasedo you want (to):
Would you like tocome to dinner on Friday night?
Karen,would you likesome cake?
Do you want togo for a coffee?
We can accept or reject an invitation.Thankson its own means ‘yes’:
Accept
A:Frank,would you likea chocolate?
B:Yes, please.
A:Would you liketo come to the cinema with us tonight?
B:Thanks.That would be great.
Reject
A:Do you wantsome more coffee?
B:No thanks.I’m fine.
A more forceful but polite way of inviting someone to do something is to use an imperative, including emphatic imperatives withdo:
Comeand join us.
Dosit down anywhere you like.
Don’t beafraid to ask if you want anything.
We often useyou’ll have toandyou mustwhen we are not specific about the time, for examplesoon, in the New Year, some time:
You’ll have tocome over soon.(come overmeans ‘visit us’)
You mustcome for a walk with us some time.
We can also make invitations withWhy don’t you …?:
A:Why don’t youjoin us for lunch on Sunday?
B:Thanks, that’s very kind of you.
See also:
Imperatives with subject pronouns
Imperatives as offers and invitations