American invitations are often short and casual: "Want to come over Saturday?" Learners sometimes miss that this is a real invitation. Other times they hear "We should get together sometime" and wait for a date that never comes, because that phrase is often just friendly. Saying no is hard too. In this episode: • Inviting • Suggesting • Accepting and declining • Not sure yet, and setting a real time • Scenes: the neighbor and a friend • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Want to come over Saturday? (WAH-nuh) — would you like to visit my home? (casual) What are you up to this weekend? — a casual check before inviting (casual) We're having a few people over. — we're hosting a small get-together (neutral) You should come! — please join us (casual) Would you like to join us for dinner? — (polite) Let's... — "Let's grab lunch." (neutral) We could... — "We could meet at the park." (soft) Maybe we could... — even softer (polite) I'd love to! — yes, happily (neutral) Count me in. — I'll join (casual) Sounds great! — yes (casual) Sure, what time? — yes, tell me details (casual) I wish I could, but... — I want to, but I can't (polite) Thanks so much, but I already have plans. — (polite) Can I take a rain check? — can we do it another time? (casual) Maybe next time! — not now, but later (casual) Let me check and get back to you. — I'll answer later (neutral) Can I let you know tomorrow? — I'll decide soon (neutral) I'll have to check with my family. — (neutral) Are you free next weekend? — ask a date Does Saturday work for you? — check a day (neutral) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.