invitation
invitation — noun
1. the act of politely asking someone whether they would like to come with you to a
the act of politely asking someone whether they would like to come with you to an event or join you in doing something
Tunde accepted Elena's invitation to attend his art exhibition next month.
accept + invitation + to-infinitive
Christopher received an invitation to speak about renewable energy at the conference.
Admission to the ceremony is by invitation only, so Faisal confirmed his name in advance.
The invitation to join the research team came after Elena published her first paper.
文法句型
an invitation + to-infinitive
an invitation + to + noun
by invitation (uncountable)
用法筆記
The countable form (an invitation) refers to a specific instance of asking someone. The uncountable form appears mainly in the fixed phrase 'by invitation', meaning that entry is restricted to people who have been asked.
常見錯誤
2. a printed card, sheet of paper, or electronic message that asks someone to atten
a printed card, sheet of paper, or electronic message that asks someone to attend a social event such as a party, wedding, or meeting
Trang spent the whole evening addressing invitations for her grandmother's birthday party.
collocation: addressing invitations
Mert found the wedding invitation tucked inside a pile of old letters on his desk.
Nellie designed the invitations herself using watercolour paint and gold ink.
Isabela forgot to put a stamp on the invitation, so her friend never received it.
文法句型
an invitation + to + event noun
send / send out + invitation
用法筆記
Always countable. You 'send out' or 'mail' invitations. When you receive one, you are expected to RSVP (reply whether you will attend).
常見錯誤
3. a behaviour or situation that makes it more likely that something unpleasant or
a behaviour or situation that makes it more likely that something unpleasant or harmful will occur, such as crime, criticism, or unwanted attention
Leaving the garage door open is an open invitation to thieves in this neighbourhood.
fixed phrase: an open invitation to [negative thing]
Élise realised that posting her daily schedule online was an invitation for strangers to track her movements.
The customer saw the manager's weak response as an invitation to legal action.
Hiro knew that parking in the disabled space without a permit was an invitation to a fine.
- provocation
stronger, implies deliberate action aimed at triggering a reaction
- temptation
focuses on the attractiveness of the bad outcome rather than the likelihood
- deterrent
something that discourages an unwanted action
- prevention
active measures that stop something from happening
文法句型
an invitation + to + noun (especially something negative)
an open invitation + to + noun
用法筆記
Almost always singular. Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'an open invitation to', meaning something strongly encourages a specific bad outcome. The preposition is usually 'to' (occasionally 'for').