Ep 14: How to Politely Decline an Invitation in Business English | The Business English Podcast

The Business English Podcast

🔗 Blog: https://www.thebusinessenglishpodcast.com/blog-ep14

In this episode we discuss exactly how to politely decline an invitation in Business English. In addition, due to the high variation of scenarios in which a professional can receive an invitation, we have taken the liberty of separating the responses into formal and informal, so know what to say, regardless of the circumstances.
There are also 6 tips on how to deliver these phrases in the most professional way possible.

A list of the phrases in the episode are as follows…
Formal:

1. "Thank you so much for the invitation, unfortunately, I won't be able to attend due to prior commitments."
   
2. "I appreciate the opportunity, but I must respectfully decline as my workload is currently at full capacity."
   
3. "I'm grateful for the invitation, but I'm afraid I won't be able to attend as it conflicts with another important commitment."
   
4. "I regret to inform you that I won't be able to attend the event, but I hope it's a great success."
   
5. "I'm flattered that you thought of me, but I'm afraid I can't make it due to personal reasons."
   
6. "I appreciate the invitation, but I won't be able to attend as it's not within my area of expertise."
   
7. "I'm honoured to be invited, but I won't be able to attend due to alternative arrangements.”
   
8. "Thank you for thinking of me, but I'm afraid I can't attend as I'll be out of town on that day."
   
9. "I'm grateful for the invitation, but I won't be able to attend as I've already committed to another event."
   
10. "I appreciate the invitation, but I must decline as it's not in line with my current priorities.
    

Informal:

1. "Thanks for inviting me, but I'm gonna have to pass this time."
   
2. "I really appreciate the invitation, but I'm gonna have to sit this one out.”
   
3. "Thanks for thinking of me, but I won't be able to make it this time."
   
4. "I'd love to come, but unfortunately, I can't make it."
   
5. "Thanks for the invite, but I'm gonna have to take a rain check on this one."

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