Ruby Chen
"I wonder if you would also happen to like to have a dinner?" is it meaningful and acceptable? sorry.. my mainly question is "would also happen to like to"... does it make sense?my mainly question is "would also happen to like to"...does it make sense?
Jul 26, 2014 5:43 AM
Answers · 7
1
In additional details, Ruby Chen wrote " my mainly question is "would also happen to like to"... does it make sense?" First of all, it should be "my primary question is...." "would also happen to like to" could make sense but only in a very contrived manner "happen to" implies "by chance" so it's a little strange with "like to have dinner with me" That's why I wrote "would you happen to be available for dinner"? This implies that I recognize that you are probably busy for dinner but, if by any chance, you're free for dinner, maybe you'd like to have it with me. It's hard to figure out what "also" means in the sentence without more context. Using the word "also" suggests that there is something else for which the sentence is already true and you are trying to ask if it's true for the listener as well. Example 1: "Joe is free for dinner. Would you also happen to be free for dinner? If so, let's all go to dinner together." (i.e. in addition to Joe, can you also have dinner with me?) Example 2: "We're scheduled to get together for drinks after the business sessions are over. Would you also happen to be free for dinner?" (i.e. in addition to drinks, let's have dinner also) So... "would you happen to..." is OK and "also" can also be used but putting them together in the same sentence sounds awkward and I'd have to know the situation in which you want to say the sentence before I could say that it makes sense.
July 27, 2014
I agree with Ben. However, one could also say... "I wonder if you would happen to be available for dinner?" or (in the UK) "I wonder if you would fancy having dinner with me?"
July 26, 2014
This is not English! Just say, "Would you like to have dinner with me."
July 26, 2014
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!