Meaning & use
accept the invitation
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
to say yes to an invitation to an event or meeting.
Grammar: The phrase already contains the object, so do not add another object after it.
Patterns
- accept the invitation to something
- accept the invitation from someone
She accepted the invitation to the wedding without hesitating.
I was surprised that he accepted the invitation, since he rarely goes out.
Please accept the invitation by Friday so the organizers can plan the seating.
phrasefixed phrase
to agree to do something that someone has asked you to do.
Grammar: Often followed by 'to do something' when the invitation involves an action.
Patterns
- accept the invitation to do something
The professor accepted the invitation to speak at the conference.
They accepted the invitation to join the committee.
Common combinations
- gladly accept the invitation
- We gladly accepted the invitation to their anniversary dinner.
- accept the invitation to a party
- He accepted the invitation to a party at his neighbor's house.
- accept the invitation on behalf of someone
- She accepted the invitation on behalf of her whole team.
- politely accept the invitation
- He politely accepted the invitation, even though he was busy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- say yes
- More informal and general; use it for any offer, not just a written or spoken invitation.
- take someone up on something
- Informal and means to accept an offer, often an invitation to do something together.
Opposites
Word family
- invitation noun
- A written or spoken request asking someone to come to an event.
- invite verb
- To ask someone to come to an event or to do something.
Commonly confused: accept the invitation or except?
accept the invitation vs except
Sounds similar to 'accept' but means 'not including'. 'Accept' means to agree to take something.
Practice
She was delighted when they ______ the invitation to her graduation party.
Choose one answer.
'Accepted' fits because it means agreed to come. 'Excepted' is a different word meaning 'not included', and 'refused' and 'rejected' are opposites of accepting.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “accept the invitation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.