Write an Invitation to a Friend A2 Writing Practice Tests Rules & Examples

How to Write an Invitation to a Friend in English

An invitation is a friendly message you send to ask someone to come to an event or activity. We write invitations every day — to birthday parties, dinner at our home, a day out, or a celebration. A good invitation gives your friend all the important details so they know when, where, and what to expect. In English, informal invitations to friends are warm, friendly, and clear.

In this lesson, you will learn how to write a short, friendly invitation email or message in English at A2 level. You will practise organising your ideas into paragraphs, using the correct verb tenses, and including useful linking words to connect your sentences naturally.

Essential Writing Rules & Sentence Structure

1. Organise Your Invitation into Clear Paragraphs

A good A2 invitation has three short paragraphs:

• Paragraph 1 — Greeting and opening reason: Say hello and explain why you are writing.
• Paragraph 2 — Key details: Give information about the event (when, where, what to bring, what will happen).
• Paragraph 3 — Call to action and friendly close: Ask your friend to reply, and say something warm before you sign off.

2. Use the Correct Verb Tenses

• Use present simple for general facts and feelings: "It is going to be a lot of fun."
• Use present continuous for fixed arrangements: "I am having a birthday party on Saturday."
• Use going to for plans: "We are going to have a barbecue in the garden."
• Use will for offers and predictions: "There will be plenty of food and music."
• Use polite modals for requests: "Would you like to come?" / "Could you let me know?"

3. Use Commas Correctly with Time Clauses

When a sentence begins with a time word or clause (such as when, before, or after), place a comma after the opening clause.

✅ When you arrive, please ring the doorbell.
✅ Before the party starts, we are going to decorate the house.

If the time clause comes after the main clause, you do not need a comma.

✅ Please ring the doorbell when you arrive.

4. Avoid Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence joins two ideas without the correct connector or punctuation. Always use a linking word or a full stop to separate ideas clearly.

❌ The party is on Saturday it starts at seven.
✅ The party is on Saturday and it starts at seven.

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

Use these A2 linking words to connect your ideas and make your invitation sound natural.

Important tip — 'because' vs 'so': Use because to give the reason. Use so to give the result.

✅ I am writing because I want to invite you to my party. (reason)
✅ The party starts at seven, so please don't be late. (result)

Model Writing Sample: A Birthday Party Invitation

Read this realistic model invitation carefully. Notice how it is organised and how linking words are used.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Hi Sophie,

How are you? I hope you're well. I'm writing because I'm having a birthday party on Saturday, 14th June, and I would love you to come!

The party is at my house and it starts at seven o'clock in the evening. We are going to have a barbecue in the garden and then play some games. Although my house is a little hard to find, I can send you a map. Could you bring a salad or some drinks?

Please let me know if you can come before Friday. I really hope to see you there!

Love,
Anna

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Model Text Breakdown & Annotation

Word count: 86 words ✅ (This is within the A2 target of 60–90 words.)

Key Phrases & Sentence Starters

Use these ready-made phrases in your own invitation. They will help you sound natural and confident in English.

Greetings

• Hi [Name],
• Dear [Name],
• Hello [Name],

Opening Lines & Reason for Writing

• How are you? I hope you're well.
• I'm writing because I want to invite you to …
• I'm having a [party / dinner / picnic] and I would love you to come!
• I am writing to invite you to my [birthday party / house / celebration].
• I have some exciting news — I'm organising a …

Giving Details & Explanations

• The [party / dinner / event] is on [day], [date] at [time].
• It is going to be at [place / address].
• We are going to [have a barbecue / watch a film / go to a restaurant].
• There will be [food / music / games / dancing].
• Although [it is quite far], I can [give you a lift / send you a map].
• Could you bring [a dessert / some drinks / a small gift]?
• You can also bring [your partner / a friend] if you like.
• Before the party, please [let me know / confirm your place].
• When you arrive, [ring the doorbell / come to the back garden].

Ending Your Message & Sign-offs

• Please let me know if you can come.
• Could you let me know by [day]?
• I really hope you can make it!
• Hope to see you there!
• It won't be the same without you!
• See you soon, / Love, / All the best, / Best wishes,
• [Your name]

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Study these common A2 mistakes. Make sure you do not repeat them in your own writing.

❌ I'm writing so I want to invite you to my party.
✅ I'm writing because I want to invite you to my party. — Use because to give a reason, not so. 'So' introduces a result, not a reason.

❌ The party is on Saturday it starts at seven o'clock.
✅ The party is on Saturday and it starts at seven o'clock. — This is a run-on sentence. You must use a connector such as and, but, or a full stop to join two ideas.

❌ When you arrive please ring the doorbell.
✅ When you arrive, please ring the doorbell. — When a sentence starts with a time clause (e.g. When you arrive), always put a comma after it.

❌ We are going to have dinner and than dance.
✅ We are going to have dinner and then dance. — The sequencing word is then (meaning "after that"), not than (which is used for comparisons: bigger than).

❌ Could you brings a salad?
✅ Could you bring a salad? — After modal verbs such as could, would, and can, the main verb is always in the base form (infinitive without to). Never add -s or -ing.

Writing Checklist & Practice Task

Writing Checklist

Before you finish your invitation, go through this checklist. Tick each box when you are happy with it.

• ✅ Did you start with a friendly, informal greeting (e.g. Hi Tom, / Dear Lucy,)?
• ✅ Did you open with a short friendly line and clearly state the reason for writing?
• ✅ Did you include all the key details — when, where, and what will happen?
• ✅ Did you use at least two linking words (e.g. because, so, and, although, when, then)?
• ✅ Did you use going to or will correctly to talk about future plans?
• ✅ Did you include a polite request or question (e.g. Could you bring…? / Would you like to come?)?
• ✅ Did you end with a call to action (e.g. Please let me know if you can come.)?
• ✅ Did you use an appropriate informal sign-off followed by your name?
• ✅ Did you check for run-on sentences and missing commas after time clauses?
• ✅ Is your invitation between 60 and 90 words?

Your Practice Task

Read the following writing prompt carefully. Write your invitation using everything you have learned in this lesson.

Writing Prompt:

Your English friend, James, lives near you. You are organising a dinner party at your home next weekend. Write an email to James to invite him. In your email:

• invite him and say why you are writing
• give the details (day, time, and place)
• say what will happen at the dinner
• ask him to bring something and to let you know if he can come

Write 60–90 words. Use at least two linking words from the connector table. Include a greeting, three short paragraphs, and a friendly sign-off.

Helpful tip: Plan your three paragraphs before you start writing. Note down your key details (day, time, address, food, activities) so you do not forget anything important.

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.