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SCHEDULING socializing
INVITING:
I'd appreciate it if you could come.
I was hoping you could attend.
Can you make it to the picnic?
I was wondering if you’d like to come   
How about a movie Friday night?   
Do you want to go?  
What about bowling next weekend?  
Do you feel like sushi?        
Why don’t you come along?

Why don’t you come over to our place for dinner? うちに食事に来ませんか。 
Let us know if you can make it. ご都合をお知らせください。
We’re having party at our place over the weekend. Will you be able to come?  
週末うちでパーティーをするので、いらっしゃいませんか。
Please come to our New Year’s party 新年会にご出席ください。      
Please bring the whole family. ご家族そろってお越しください。  
Please don’t hesitate to come. どうぞお気軽にいらしてください。
Please attend the new product launch. 新製品発表会においでください。       
We’re sincerely looking forward to your attendance.  ご出席を心よりお待ち申し上げております。
Please drop by if you find yourself in the neighborhood.  お近くにお越しの際は、ぜひお立ち寄りください。 
I’ll send you an invitation later. 追って招待状を送らせていただきます。

ACCEPTING: 
  • Sounds great!  いいね!
  • Why not!   もちろん!
  • I'd love to!   よろこんで!
  • It would be my pleasure.
  • That would be fantastic!
  • Sure, I can make it.
  • Yea, I am free.
  • That works for me.
DECLINING: 
  • It’s kind of you to ask, but I’m busy next weekend 
  • Sorry, things are really crazy at the moment 
  • I’d love to, but I’ve already made plans for Saturday 
  • I can't make it.  I’m swamped with work
  • Sorry, I've got to work.
  • Saturday isn't looking good for me.

  •  I wish I could, but I have other plans.
  •  たいんだけど、他の予定が入っています。
  • I think I'll pass this time. 
  • 今回はやめておきます。
  • I'm sorry, but I'll be busy on that day. 
  • ごめんなさい。その日は忙しいです。 
Showing uncertainty 
  • I think I might still be at work.
  • There's a chance I will still be at the salon.
Tentative commitments
  • I'll try to make it, but there's a chance I will have to work overtime.
  • There shouldn't be a problem, but my appointment could run long.
Accepting as a back-up plan
  • I have to attend a presentation, but if it is cancelled I can go.
  • I am supposed to go to a farewell party, but if I don't fell well, we can.
  • I was thinking about going on a picnic, but if it rains, I would love to.
wedding ceremony
barbecue
dinner party
drinks at the bar
farewell party
lunch
conference speech
product launch
welcome new recruits
volunteer event

Responding

I should probably get home.                     
I promised I’d take them to lunch.  
Unfortunately, I have to fly to Beijing.       
I’m supposed to go to a late meeting.

I’ve really got to…                     
I think I’d better…      
Maybe I ought to…..
I’d love to, but actually…       
I’m afraid…                   
Sorry, but…

Using have to, supposed to, and ought to

Have to is the same as must. 
It implies that you don't have a choice.

John has to go to work everyday.
The students have to study tonight.


To be supposed to means an obligation. 
It is something that you should do, or something that another person expects you to do. 
Don't forget to use the verb be in front of supposed to.

Sally is supposed to meet her friend tonight.
All of the employees are supposed to attend today's meeting.


Ought to means a suggestion. You should do something but you don't have to do it.

We ought to clean the house tonight.
Phillip ought to help you with your homework.


(Notice that all of these words are modals. They are followed by a verb.)

You may feel confused about the slight differences between these words. Just think about what the speaker is implying.
I have to do my homework. (If I don't, will be in trouble.)
I am supposed to do my homework. (If I don't, my teacher will notice that I didn't do it.)
I ought to do my homework. (I don't have to if I don't want to, but I feel I should do it because I want to do well in the class.)