我们在日常生活中,经常会邀请他人或被邀请一起去做一些事,如参加一些朋友的聚会、拜访长辈或名人。英美人说话很委婉,要注意情态动词与固定句型的应用。邀请有书面的,也有口头的。英语中常用的邀请语有
Would you like to come over our small party?(你愿意参加我们的小聚会吗?)
If you ever in Beijing, please do look me up.(如果你来北京,请一定来看我)
Would you like to join us?(喜欢和我们一起吗?)
Shall we dance?(我们可以跳个舞吗?)
Shall we go for a walk?(去散步,好吗?)
What about another coffee? (再来一杯咖啡?)
Shall we go to see a film?(去看电影,好吗?)
May I have a dance with you?(可以请你跳个舞吗?)
We'd be very honored if you come to our wedding ceremony.(如果你能参加婚礼,我们将感到非常的荣幸。)
Would you honor us with a visit?(可否赏光来我们这儿?)
I'd like to invite you to attend our graduation ceremony.(我希望你能参加我们的毕业典礼。)
I'm very sorry, but can we make it another time?(很对不起,下次可以吗?)
Welcome to our city!(欢迎光临我们的城市!)
Are you free this evening? I want to pay you a visit.(晚上有时间吗? 我想去看你。)
I really can't thank you enough for the invitation.(得到你的邀请, 我感激涕零。)
It's my great honor to attend this grand graduation ceremony.(能参加这次盛大的毕业典礼,我感到非常的荣幸。)
对于别人邀请的回答要注意分寸,也要礼貌对待。总之,“客套”是此类对话的本质。在听力题目的情景对话中,邀请的日常用语也经常出现。下面是一些模拟听力对话:
Dialogue 1
M: Will you do me the honor of dancing with me, Mrs. Jones?
W: Oh, I'm really sorry. I've done too much of it.
M: Ok, I see...
Dialogue 2
M: Would you like to see a film with me tonight?
W: Oh, it is great.
Dialogue 3
M: How about have a drink in that bar?
W: I'm afraid I can't...