invite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of asking someone to attend an event or participate in an activity. Example: "I would like to invite you to my birthday party next Saturday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What Carver has done is invite his abusers to sample some finest Darjeeling.

The Guardian - Sport

We design a new production for every venue that is kind enough to invite us.

The Guardian

At the weekend, to make up for not being able to watch television, we decided to invite some friends around for a dinner party.

The Guardian

Through the 1990s, Saudi Arabia paid a high price for the decision to invite foreign troops to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's occupation.

The Guardian

You could: Volunteer at your local community garden Plant some bee-friendly plants on your doorstep Club together to turn some disused land into a veg patch Invite your neighbours over for a clothes mending session Start a car-share scheme or make a pledge with your neighbours to cycle or walk to work or school Host a clothes swap in your village hall or community centre Think you can do it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a close relationship between Guinea and Morocco, but it was a strange gesture by the Moroccans to invite them – they withdrew as hosts for the Cup of Nations, at two months' notice, because of fears about Ebola.

The Guardian - Sport

So the question on the ballot paper will invite voters to affirm that they want to stay in the European Union rather than ask whether they want to leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook, Blogger and Twitter regularly invite us to study the analytics for our posts and pages.

The Guardian - Opinion

Would-be guests apply through a closed Facebook group in which they impose a "face control" policy favoured by the city's bouncers: if you don't have the right style or attitude you don't get an invite to dinner.

The Guardian

I invite you to join us as we move beyond the anger and pain, and promote peace and friendship The grievances of the South African population have to be balanced with the plight of many refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants from the continent and beyond.

The Guardian

In reference to the failed raid, Zinzan agreed that the police were not good enough at apologising, insisting that in the past they'd been too wary of saying anything that might invite liability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "invite" when you want to formally or informally request the presence or participation of someone.

Common error

Avoid using "invite" in extremely formal situations where more elevated language like "request your presence" might be more appropriate. It can sound slightly less refined in certain high-register scenarios.

Linguistic Context

Invite" primarily functions as a verb, used to request someone's presence or participation in an event or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts. Examples show it used to request presence at dinners, events, and even to encourage criticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "invite" is a versatile verb primarily used to request someone's presence or participation in an event. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usage across diverse contexts, from informal dinner invitations to formal political engagements. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both everyday conversations and professional communications. To enhance clarity, explicitly state event details (time, place, purpose) and avoid overly formal contexts where a more elevated term is better suited. As per Ludwig AI the word is perfectly correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask

A more general term for requesting something, including someone's presence.

request

A more formal way to ask for someone's presence or participation.

summon

Implies a more authoritative or urgent request to appear.

bid

A formal or ceremonial invitation.

entreat

Implies a heartfelt or earnest request.

solicit

To ask for something from someone.

welcome

To express pleasure at someone's arrival or presence.

encourage

To inspire or persuade someone to do something.

call for

To publicly request or demand something.

provoke

To deliberately elicit a reaction or response.

FAQs

How can I use the word "invite" in a sentence?

You can use "invite" to ask someone to attend an event (e.g., "I'd like to invite you to my wedding.") or to participate in an activity (e.g., "We invite everyone to join our community garden project.").

What are some synonyms for "invite"?

Alternatives to "invite" include "ask", "request", "summon" (for a formal command), or "encourage" (if the invitation is to participate). The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "invite" and "ask"?

"Invite" is generally used for social events or participation, while "ask" is more general and can cover a wider range of requests. For example, you "invite" someone to a party, but you might "ask" them for help.

Is it correct to say "I invite you to consider"?

Yes, it's correct. This usage of "invite" means you are encouraging or urging someone to consider something, as in, "I invite you to consider the evidence before making a decision."