A formal invitation is generally written in the third person, and should contain no heading, no salutation,
and no complimentary close. The writer’s name should appear in the body of the letter. The address of the
writer and the date should be written to the left, below the communication.
The reply to such a note should also be in the third person, and should repeat the date and time mentioned
in the invitation.
[Formal note of invitation]
Mr and Mrs V.A. Paul request the pleasure of Mr K. Gopalan’s company at dinner on Friday, 14 July, at eight o’clock.
18 Peters Road
Chennai 600 014
[Formal note of acceptance]
Mr K. Gopalan has pleasure in accepting the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs V.A. Paul to dinner on Friday, 14 July, at eight o’clock.
12 Kamaraj Salai
Chennai 600 005
[Formal note of refusal]
Mr K. Gopalan regrets that a previous engagement prevents his accepting the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs V.A. Paul to dinner on Friday, July.
12 Kamaraj Salai
Chennai 600 005
Informal notes of invitation, acceptance and refusal are like ordinary friendly letters, though using more formal language. They are addressed to the recipient by name (My dear Shri Joshi), and the formal close is usually any of the following :
Sincerely yours, Yours sincerely, Yours very sincerely, Yours affectionately (to relations, or intimate friends).
[Informal note of invitation]
12 Alwarpet
22 November
Dear Pramila,
Will you give me the pleasure of your company at dinner on Sunday, the 27th at 8 o’clock?
Yours sincerely,
V. Saroja
[Informal note of acceptance]
Poes Garden
23 November
My dear Saroja,
I shall be pleased to be with you at dinner on Sunday, the 27th. Thanks a lot for your invitation.
Yours sincerely,
S. Pramila
[Informal note of refusal]
Poes Garden
23 November
My dear Saroja,
I am very sorry that a previous engagement will prevent me from joining you at dinner on Sunday.
Thank you very much for your kind invitation.
sincerely,
S. Pramila
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