In Canada and the United States, people enjoy entertaining (请客) at home. They often invite friends over for a meal, a party, or just for a coffee and conversation.
Here are some kinds of things people say when they invite someone to their homes:
"Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday night? "
"Hey, we're having a party on Friday. Can you come? "
To reply to an invitation, either say thank you and accept, or say you're sorry, and give an excuse:
"Thanks, I'd love to. What time would you like me to come? " or "Oh, sorry, I've had tickets for a movie. "
Sometimes, however, people use expressions that sound like invitations but which are not real invitations. For example:
"Please come over for a drink sometime. "
"Why not get together for a party sometime? "
"Why don't you come over and see us sometime soon? "
They are really just polite ways of ending a conversation. They are not real invitations because they don't mention a specific (确定的) time or date. They just show that the person is trying to be friendly. To reply to expressions like these, people just say "Sure, that would be great! " or "OK, thanks. "
So next time when you hear what sounds like an invitation, listen carefully: Is it a real invitation or is the person just being friendly?
