A big holiday is coming up here in the US tomorrow! That holiday is the fourth of July! Yay!
I don't know about you, but I am excited. To me, the fourth of July means friends, family, food, and fun!
Have you made plans yet for Thursday? You might receive some invitations to participate in Fourth of July activities with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. Not sure how to respond to those invitations with natural English? This article will show you how to respond correctly and graciously. Read on to learn more!
Invitation # 1: "Happy 4th! What are your plans for the day?"
How to answer this: This may or may not be an invitation to participate in an activity with the person. He or she might just be acting social and may have no intention of inviting you to his or her party. On the other hand, some people begin an invitation by asking what your plans are for the specific day or evening.
Here are some things you can say:
- If you don't want to be invited: "I'm going to spend the day with friends. I hope you enjoy the day!"
- If you would like to be invited: "Not much. What are you doing?" or "I'm not sure yet, I am still figuring it out. How about you?"
Invitation # 2: "I am going to catch the parade tomorrow. Do you want to come along?"
How to accept: "Sure, that sounds like a lot of fun. Where and when should we meet?" or "Yeah sounds great. I'll be there." or "Yeah, I'd love to. Can I bring some friends?"
- How to decline: "Oh thanks so much for thinking of me, but I already have plans." or "Thanks anyways, but I'm doing something already." or "That's ok, maybe next time."
Invitation # 3: "We're going to grill out at my summer home. Wanna come?"
What does "grill out" mean?
When we say "grill out" we mean that we are going to grill food on the barbecue. A typical Fourth of July cookout would include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and perhaps vegetable skewers, and maybe fish.
- How to accept: "That sounds like a lot of fun. What time are you grilling out?" or "Sounds awesome, I'll be there."
- How to decline: "I can't make it, but thanks anyways." or "I'd love to, but I have another commitment for the day."
Invitation # 4: "Do you want to join our Fourth of July picnic?"
How to accept: "Sure, what should I bring?" or "Yeah definitely that sounds like a great time!"
- How to decline: "Thanks so much, but I'm busy on the Fourth." or "Thanks anyways, but I can't. Have fun!"
What should you bring to a picnic or a barbecue?
If you are invited to a picnic or barbecue it's a good idea to bring something to share. Here are some ideas:
Barbecues or cook-outs (grilling out):
-
Meat, fish or chicken to cook on the grill (check with the host)
- Any kind of drink (wine, beer, soda)
- Food that goes on the side with meat- potatoe salad, coleslaw, green salad
- Dessert such as marshmallows for roasting
Picnics (picnics usually do not include grilling, but sometimes they do- find out before you go)
- Sandwiches and lunch meats
- Hummus and bread
- potatoe chips and other finger foods
- Beer, wine, soda, water
Check out this article for more information on how to grill meat in English
So now that you have all of the vocabulary that you need to accept and decline your Fourth of July party and event invitations, get out there and speak with your friends and colleagues!
Find out what people are doing tomorrow and find a fun way to spend the day where you can meet new people, feel the spirit of the Fourth of July, and practice your English! Have a great day tomorrow!
Photo credits: ginnerobot, Jim, the Photographer, ZapTheDingbat, zoetnet, Rev Stan
