Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

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70.2 Accepting or declining an offer or invitation


70.2.1 The expressions normally used when accepting an offer or invitation are the following:


(Muchas) gracias. (formal/informal)
Thank you (very much).

¡Vale, gracias! (very informal, esp. Spain)
OK, thank you.
¡Bueno, gracias! (informal)
All right, thank you.

Me gustaría mucho. (formal/informal)
I’d like to very much.

Con mucho gusto. (formal)
With great pleasure.
Encantado/a. (formal)
With great pleasure/delighted.

Muy amable. (formal)
That’s very kind.

70.2.2 To decline an offer or invitation, Spanish uses expressions like the following:


No hace falta, gracias. (formal/informal)
It’s not necessary, thank you.

No se moleste. (formal)
Don’t worry.
No, muchas gracias. (formal/informal)
No, thank you very much.

Lo siento, pero (no puedo). (formal/informal)
I’m sorry, but (I can’t).

Desgraciadamente/desafortunadamente no puedo. (formal/informal)
Unfortunately I can’t.
Me gustaría, pero (tengo otro compromiso). (formal/informal)
I’d like to, but (I have another engagement/date).

Lo siento mucho, pero me es imposible/no me es posible.
I’m very sorry, but it’s impossible/not possible.

70.3 Enquiring whether an invitation is accepted or declined


To enquire whether an invitation is accepted or declined, use either a construction with
ir a+ infinitive or the future tense, in sentences like the following:

¿Va usted a venir a la fiesta?
Are you coming to the party?

MAKING AN OFFER OR INVITATION AND ACCEPTING OR DECLINING 70.2

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