You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Your friend is celebrating her birthday soon and has invited you to a party. But you are unable to come because you are going to attend an important meeting that day. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter:
- thank him/her for the invitation
- explain why you cannot come
- propose to meet another day
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ……………,
Sample Answer 1:
Dear Samantha,
How lovely it is to receive your letter exactly when I was thinking of you. I am so happy that things are wonderful at your end. I am overwhelmed to be invited to your birthday party on the coming 24th November 2022. I wish you an advance happy birthday and thank you for inviting me. It means a lot to me.
I sincerely wish to meet you at your birthday party to say happy birthday in person, but unfortunately, the date contradicts our board meeting schedule. It saddens me to say that I will not be able to make it as I will be at the meeting the whole day. This meeting is utterly important for all the staff and there is no way to skip it. I wish I truly could!
I would, however, like to meet you sometime in December as I will visit your city during this time. I will bring you a birthday present and I am sure we will enjoy our time together.
With lots of love and best wishes for our lovely birthday girl.
Sonia
Sample Answer 2:
Dear Martha,
Hope you and your family are doing great. It’s been a long since we last saw each other. It was great to get your postcard from Dallas yesterday and I’m thrilled to learn that you’re going to celebrate your birthday on 20th June. Happy birthday, Martha.
I am so happy for you and wish you a prosperous life and a joyful birthday celebration. I would like to profoundly thank you for your invitation.
Martha, I’m so sorry that I can’t attend your birthday party as I will be in Manhattan the whole week for my professional responsibility. My company asked me to be there on 18th June to resolve some problems with an accounting system we have in Manhattan. You will be in my thoughts and I owe you a birthday present!
I’ll meet you after I return from my official trip – perhaps during the first week of July.
Many thanks for your invitation and happy birthday to you.
Warm wishes,
Fadi
[Written by – Fadi Al-Damiri]