INVITATIONS & REPLIES (4 MARKS)

MARKING SCHEME:
Format – 1, Content -2, Accuracy of spelling and grammar -1.
FORMAL INVITATION
There are two types of formal invitations:
➢ Printed invitation card inviting guests to be present on a particular occasion. Such invitations
do not include the name of the addressee.
➢ Handwritten letter addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social, cultural, and educational
function. In such invitations the name of the addressee (VIP) appears prominently.

Card Type Formal Invite

➢ Uses a single sentence presentation in third person/ skips end line punctuation.
➢ Uses the simple present tense.
➢ Answers the questions: who, whom, when, where, what time, for what.
➢ Includes name and address of the organizer/ host and name(s) of special invitees (if any).
➢ Avoid adding signatures.

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATION - PRINTED CARD

Each of the following is written in a separate line with the proper alignment.
➢ Name of the host issuing the invitation
➢ Formal phrase / standard expression for invitation (…. Cordially invite(s), request the pleasure of your
company, solicit your benign/gracious presence)
➢ Purpose of occasion (reason for invitation)
➢ Name of honoree (people for whom the event is organized like marriage/ birthday)
➢ Day, Date, and time of the function/event
➢ Venue of the event (complete address)
➢ In case of VIP, name of chief guest /VIP
➢ RSVP (Respondez S’il Vous Plait –i.e., respond if it pleases you)
➢ Address of the host
➢ Contact number.
➢ Special note if any. (e.g., Keep phone on silent mode / Please be seated by …)

EXAMPLES OF STANDARD EXPRESSIONS:

▪ cordially request the pleasure of your company… ▪ cordially invite you to…
▪ solicit your gracious presence… ▪ request the pleasure of your company…
▪ request your benign presence… ▪ seek the pleasure of your company/ presence…
▪ invite you to join… ▪ cordially request the honour of your presence…
Mrs. and Mr. Madan Sharma
SAMPLE: You are Mr. Madan.
solicit yourDraft an invitation
gracious presence for your
on the daughter’soccasion
auspicious marriage.
of the marriage of their grand-daughter
SONALI
(daughter of Mrs. Savita and Mr. Rahul Sharma)
with
SRIDHAR
(son of Mrs. Sushma and Mr. Kapil Sharma)
on
Q. M/s Shyam Lai & Sons are opening a new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali
Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th of October
20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation for the purpose.
M/s. SHYAM LAL & SONS
announce the opening of
GALAXY NOVELTIES
a general store’s
INAUGURATION
on
Sunday, 19 October 20XX
th

at
Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi
from
11.00 am to 1 pm.
Mr. VIRAT KOHLI (Cricketer)
will be the Chief-guest.

R.S.V.P
Galaxy Novelties
Dwarika, New Delhi
9876543210
Q. Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Thakur of 22A, Gali No - 8, Roshan Vihar Tilak
Nagar, New Delhi, which they may use to invite their friends and relatives on the birth anniversary
of their son Neelesh at their residence on 8th May 2024.
Mrs. and Mr. Thakur
request the pleasure of your being presence
on the auspicious occasion of the
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
of their
son
NEELESH THAKUR
at
08: 30 p.m.
Q. You are a student at Cresent Public School, Model Town, Delhi. The school is holding its Annual
Function at 5.30 p.m. on 24th December 2023. The education minister has consented to be the Chief
Guest. Design an invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invitees. (Word Limit 50).

The Principal, Staff and Students

of
Cresent Public School
request the pleasure of your company
on
ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION
on
Sunday, December 24, 2023
at
5.30 p.m.
in
the school auditorium.
SH. SHYAM TIWARI,
Hon. Education Minister
has consented to be the Chief Guest.

R.S.V.P Special Instructions:

Administrative Officer Kindly be seated by 4.30pm
Cresent Public School, Model Town, Delhi This card permits entry for two.
09876543210

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATION ‐ LETTER

An invitation written formally in the letter format has the following characteristics:
➢ Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)
➢ Include the name of the invitee.
 ➢ These are to be written on run‐on lines. The sentence is not broken into differentwords/phrases.
➢ Other details are like the mass‐scale invitations.
SAMPLE: You are inviting the District Commissioner of Police as a chief guest for your school annual
day function. Draft an invitation.
Kamala Nehru SchoolCantonment
Bangalore

17th December 2023

Mr. K. J. Singh
District Commissioner of Police
Police LinesBangalore

Subject: Invitation for ‘Annual Day Function’

Sir

It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that we are celebrating our school’s Annual Day function on
4th January 2024 at 5.30 p.m. in the Activity Hall of the school. We shall consider it a great honour if you
could grace the occasion and preside over the function as the Chief Guest and give away the prizes.

Kindly confirm your presence by 20 th December, so that necessary arrangements can be made.

Yours sincerely
singhaniak
K SINGHANIA
(Principal)

Q. You are the Secretary of the Ritz Students’ Association, St. Peters School, Nainital. The 20 th Alumni
Meet will be held on Sunday, the 28th of January 2023 at 8.00 p.m. at Plaza Hotel. Write an invitation
letter to all the old students at the school to attend the meeting.
Ritz Students’ Association
St. Peters School
Nainital

17th December 2023

The Alumnus
Ex-St. Peters Student
Nainital

Subject: Invitation to Attend an Alumni Meet

Dear Alumnus
 The 20th Alumni Meet of St. Peters School, Nainital will be held on Sunday, 28 th January 2023 at 8pm at
‘The Plaza Hotel’. Old Students, along with their spouses will be our guests of honour. Kindly assemble at
8pm in the banquet hall for a get-together, dance, and dinner party.

Please confirm your seats by sending ₹700/- to the undersigned.

Yours sincerely
Meenakshi
Meenakshi
(Secretary)

Q. Modern Public School, Delhi is organizing an Inter School Music Competition. You have
decided to invite noted classical musician, Mohan Gandhi as the judge and guest of honour. Draft
a formal invitation card for him in 50 words. You are Neeraj / Neetu, Cultural Secretary.

The Principal, Staff and Students

of
Modern Public School
cordially invite
Mohan Gandhi
as
the guest of honour and judge for
Inter School Music Competition
on
April 30, 2024
from
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at
school campus.
We hope you shall accept
our humble request and grace the occasion.

R.S.V.P
Neetu Jha
(Cultural Secretary)
Modern Public School, Gandhi Road, New Delhi
09876543210
INFORMAL INVITATIONS
Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These letters are written to relatives,
friends, and acquaintances.
FORMAT INFORMAL INVITATIONS:
➢ Written in letter form, in informal format. Such letters are very persuasive in nature.
➢ Written in the first person.
➢ Writer’s address given in the usual place.
➢ The date of writing the invitation is given.
➢ Salutation is ‘Dear + Name.’
➢ Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
➢ Complimentary close ‘Your friend’
➢ The sender’s address appears on the left-hand side.

SAMPLE: You are Ankit Verma. Your friend from Malaysia is staying in the hostel. Invite him to join
Diwali celebrations with you at your residence.
315/2
Raja Gardens
New Delhi

25th October 2023

Dear Kanishk

You know that Diwali, the festival of lights, is approaching. I’m very excited to invite you for Diwali
celebrations on 12th Nov from 6pm to 10pm at my residence. We shall have great fun. Do join us for ‘Lakshmi
Puja’ and Diwali celebrations.

Hoping to have a blast.

Your loving friend

Ankit
Ankit Verma
WRITING REPLIES (FORMAL AND INFORMAL)
FORMAT REPLIES FORMAL (Layout usually pertains to the format of a formal letter)

➢ Follow a set formula:

✓ acknowledge the invitation, express gratefulness/ thanks.
✓ mention date, time, and venue.
✓ accept/decline invitation with reason.
✓ blessings/ best wishes.
➢ formal words — kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’ etc.
➢ Express in first person (‘I’, we’) if the person invited is replying themselves.
➢ Use the third person (‘they’) instead of first person (‘I’, we’) if someone else is replying for the
invited.
➢ The address of the writer and the date to be written.
➢ Use formal and polite language.
SAMPLE: You are the principal of a reputable school, and you are invited to the inauguration of a
painting exhibition near your school. Send a reply in not more than 50 words, expressing your inability
to attend the exhibition. You are Ashwini/ Ashwin.
JK Colony
 St. John’s School
Mumbai

16th March 2024

The President
Painting Exhibition Organizer
St. Peters School
Mumbai

Subject: Inability to attend the painting exhibition

Dear Sir/Madam

I would like to thank you for inviting me to the inauguration of the painting exhibition on 21st December at
6.30pm on your school campus. But I regret my inability to attend the inauguration due to a prior
commitment. I must attend a meeting of principals conducted by the Delhi Public School on the same day
the inauguration is scheduled.

Please accept my best wishes for the conduct of a successful event and excuse me for not being a part of
it.

Yours sincerely
Ashwin
ASWIN SINGH
Principal

THIRD PERSON FORMAL REPLY

Q. Mr. Harsh Malhotra of 25, Rama Vihar, Gurugram had received an invitation from Mrs. & Mr. Chawla
to attend the birthday party of their son. You are the secretary of Mr. Harsh Malhotra. Draft a reply on
behalf of him accepting the invitation. Invent other details yourself.
 Mrs. and Mr. Malhotra thank Mrs. and Mr. Chawla for inviting them on the
15th Birthday of their son, Master Santosh Chawla on Monday, 30th March
2024 at Om Sweets, Sec. 23, Gurugram at 8p.m., which they are delighted
to accept. It's their great pleasure to attend the ceremony. They wish the
young boy many happy returns of the day.

Mr. Harsh Malhotra

2nd March 2024

(OR)

25, Rama Vihar

Gurugram

25th March 2024

Mr. Chawla
Chawla Residence
New Delhi

Subject: Accepting Birthday Party Invitation

Dear Mr. Chawla

Mrs. and Mr. Malhotra thank Mrs. and Mr. Chawla for inviting them on the 15th Birthday of their son, Master
Santosh Chawla on Monday, 30th March 2024 at Om Sweets, Sec. 23, Gurugram at 8p.m., which they are
delighted to accept. It's their great pleasure to attend the ceremony. They wish the young boy many happy
returns of the day.

Yours sincerely
Kevin
Kevin Samuel
(Secretary)
FORMAT REPLIES INFORMAL (Layout usually pertains to the format of a informal letter)
➢ Follow a set formula:
✓ acknowledge the invitation, express gratefulness/ thanks.
✓ mention date, time, and venue.
✓ accept/decline invitation with reason.
✓ blessings/ best wishes.
➢ Do not use formal expressions but use informal words and expressions.
➢ Use the first person (‘I’, ‘We’).

SAMPLE: You are Manoj /Mini, living at 217, MIG Flats, Surya Vihar, New Delhi. You have been
invited to attend the birthday party of your closest friend. Respond to this invitation.

217, MIG Flats

Surya Vihar
New Delhi

15th December 2023

Dear Shuchi

I have received the invitation to your birthday party on 25 December 2023 at 5 p.m. at Hotel Janpath. I am
extremely happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there. I would like to confirm my
participation.

Looking forward to the momentous occasion.

With love
Manoj
Manoj Nair

PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR INVITATION & REPLY:

1. As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s School, Ahmedabad, draft a formal invitation in not
more than 50 words for the inauguration of the club in your school.
2. You are Riya/Ryan living at 40, Krishna Colony, Manali. You decided to hold a lunch party to
congratulate your grandparents on their golden wedding anniversary. Draft a formal invitation in not
more than words to all family members to attend a grand lunch at home.
3. M/s Spic and Span are opening a new showroom of space saving furniture at Nehru Place, New Delhi.
The inauguration is to be held on Sunday, the 23rd of November, 20XX at 9.00 a.m. Write a formal
letter on their behalf inviting their friends and relatives to the function.
4. You are Amit Dubey. You have received an invitation from the Director, Health Services, Punjab who
has invited leading medical practitioners of the state to attend a workshop on ‘Childcare’ on 25 July,
20xx at 9 a.m. in New Hope Hospital, Ambala. Draft a reply to the invitation in 50 words.
5. Prof. N. Dutta, a. famous historian from Kurukshetra University, have the honour of being invited as
the chief guest at a public function. However, due to sudden illness he is unable to attend the same.
On behalf of him draft a suitable reply in about 50 words.
6. Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush
S/o Mr. & Mrs. Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur of Raja Ki Mandi,
Agra.
SOME PREVIOUS YEAR CBSE QUESTIONS
1. You are the Secretary, Student Council, Holy Mother Convent School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi.
Your school is organizing a Diwali Mela. Draft a formal invitation letter in about 50 words to be sent
to the Chairman of your school, inviting him to inaugurate the Mela. You are Amita/Amit. Mention day,
date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-1-1)
2. You are Vineeta/Vinay Sharma. Draft a formal letter of replying about 50 words, declining the invitation
to a dinner on 28th February at Army Parade Grounds being hosted by Major J.P. Gautam. Mention
day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-1-1)
3. You are Kavita/Karan Sharma. Draft a formal letter of reply in 50 words, accepting the invitation to be
the Guest of Honour on 28th February at the Inter-School Debate Competition being organized by Priti
Public School. Mention day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-1-2)
4. As the Naina/Niraj Gupta, Principal of Harmony Public School, draft a formal invitation to parents in
50 words, inviting them to attend an orientation workshop on Effective Parenting by Dr. S.K. Hridhay.
Mention day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-1-2)
5. As Dr. Sinha, Secretary of Army Wives Welfare Association, draft a formal letter of invitation in 50
words for the members to attend a lecture on ‘Yoga and its Benefits’ to be delivered by an eminent Yoga
guru. Mention day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-1-3)
6. You are Shanti/Shivam Deshpande. You have been invited to be the Master of Ceremonies at an award
function ‘Puraskar’ for budding journalists. Write a reply in 50 words declining the invitation,
expressing your inability to attend due to a personal commitment. Mention day, date, time, and venue.
(2023 SET 1-1-3)
7. Your school has invited a group of foreign students to attend your Annual Day function. Draft an
invitation in 50 words to the guests and parents of the students. Also state the day, date, and time of the
function. You are Dr. Ahluwalia, Principal, Rohtak Public School. (2023 SET 1-2-1)
8. You are Dr. Mehra, an eminent educationist who has been invited to address the students of Sunshine
Public School on ‘The Benefits of Reading’ and release a book written by one of the students. Draft a
formal letter in 50 words expressing your inability to attend the function. Mention day, date, time, and
venue. (2023 SET 1-2-1)
9. You are Sarla Dutta, proprietor of Child’s Planet, a showroom of children’s educational toys. Draft a
formal printed invitation in 50 words to be sent to your patrons, friends and relatives inviting them to
the opening of the new showroom. Give details such as day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-2-2)
10. You have received an invitation to attend the prize giving ceremony for the Inter-School Science
Exhibit Competition. Write a formal letter in 50 words to the Principal of Rose Public School, Shimla
informing him/her about your inability to attend the ceremony. You are Dr. Suri. Mention day, date,
time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-2-2)
11. Send a formal letter of invitation in 50 words to Dr. Mehra, noted novelist and educationist, to speak
on ‘The Importance of Books’. You are Lena/Sanjay, Secretary Literary Club, S.S. Public School.
Mention day, date, time, and venue. (2023 SET 1-2-3)
12. You are invited by a friend of yours to spend some days at his/her village near Manali during the
summer vacation. Respond to his/her invitation. (50 words). Mention day, date, time, and venue. (2023
SET 1-2-3)