How to DECLINE invitations politely

There are many ways to decline an invitation politely. Here are some suggested patterns:

Sue   :   Would you like to join me for a movie this afternoon?
Ann  :   I'd love to but I've promised my mother to look after my sisters.

Nick   :  There's a football match at the stadium this evening. Are you coming?
Mark  :  Sorry, Nick. I have to accompany my brothers to the bookstore.

Halim  :  Come over my house this weekend. We are going to throw a barbeque party.
Hasni  :  Thank you for inviting me but I don't think I can make it.

Rajesh  :  There will be a tea party next Friday at my house. Hope you can make it.
Bindu   :  I'd really like to join but I have another plan with my family.

Mimi   :  There's a mega sale at Jusco. Let's go shopping, Suzy.
Suzy    :  Next time, perhaps. I'm not free today, Mimi.

When it is FRIDAY...........

              When Friday is approaching, there will be some plans in the head although some heads might be as blank as the Double A white sheets. There will be plans to visit parents, for outing with good friends and fair-weather friends perhaps and not forgotten spending times with the loved ones especially among family members. 

             When it is really FRIDAY, hearts are throbing for we will be having a whale of time on the next two days that follow. BUT however, some people like me are killing the whale for we don't have much time to be spent for our family, friends and even ourselves. There will be ORDERS from those who ignorantly signed the LETTERS in order to invite us to spend time in schools on SATURDAY!?!

             Frankly speaking, I don't hate FRIDAY. I just hate those who are ignorant and insensitive regarding 'quality time with family' issues. And as usual, I, along with the rest of my colleagues are condemning people in ties and blazers for inheriting the third-class mindset from nowhere.

            Today, I will enjoy my time with my family for it is FRIDAY.........

The 8 Wives and 1 Husband.......

             The 'WH' words are frequently used in our daily conversation especially when asking questions. However, they need to be used appropriately and correctly. There are 8 W's and 1 H altogether and they are:

• who
• whom
• whose
• where
• when
• what
• which
• why
• how

How and When to Use 'wh' words correctly?

‘wh’ word	When to Use?	Examples
who	To ask which person or people (subject)	Who will join the match next week?
		May I know who would like to join me?
whom	To ask about a person (object)	To whom should I give this letter?
		Is that the person whom he adores?
whose	To ask about possession	Whose bag is this?
		Whose book is on the desk?
where	To ask about places and locations	I wonder where do you live, Amir?
		Where can I find a coffee shop around this area?
when	To ask about at what time or date	When is your birthday?
		Do you know when is the event?
what	To seek information about people or things	What should I call you?
		What can this gadget do?
which	To ask what one or ones	Which handbag is suitable for the party?
		Which one of you live at Kampung Bor?
why	To ask for reason(s)	Why did you absent for three days, Sue?
		Why do you look funny today?
how	To ask about 'in what way' of something	How can we keep in touch?
		Any idea how to fix this?
	To ask about one’s being	How are  you?
	To ask about the cost	How much is the electrical fan?

Writing a PROCESS - Informal Letter

Enrichment 2

Write a process of cooking seafood fried rice by elaborating the notes given. Use suitable sequence connectors and imperatives. Write it in a form of informal letter to a friend who asks you a recipe to be cooked in a cooking contest.

Ingredients

·   oil – four spoonful

·   rice – cold leftover cooked

·   garlic

·   two medium-sized shallots

·   a cup – shrimps – unskin

·   4 squids – slice as desired

·   12 crab filament

·   salt and pepper

·   two carrots – shred

·   processed peas – strain

·   Chinese celery – garnishing

Sample Answer

No. 14, Jalan Megah 2,

Taman Megah,

33400, Lenggong,

Perak.

1 October 2012

Dear Maria,

            How are you? Don’t worry about me over here for I’m as fit as a fiddle day in, day out. You told me the other day that you are participating in a cooking contest and asked a recipe that would fit the competition. So, I wrote this letter to share a recipe called ‘Seafood Fried Rice’ which I inherited from my mother. This recipe is suitable for 4 persons.

            The ingredients you need for this mouth-watering cookery are a medium-sized bowl of cold leftover cooked rice, four spoonful of cooking oil, garlic, two medium-sized shallots, a cup of shrimps, four squids and twelve sticks of crab filament. You also need two carrots and a large tin of processed peas besides salt and pepper for flavouring and Chinese celery for garnishing.

            Once you have the listed ingredients, clean all the seafood items such as shrimps, squids and crab filament sticks. Firstly, skin the shrimps’ shells and wash them thoroughly. Then, wash the squids and cut them as desired. Don’t forget to cut the filament sticks into two inches long. Put aside all the processed seafood.

            Next, shed the shallots and garlic, wash them and slice them finely. Don’t forget to peel the carrots and shred them in a bowl. Then, sift the processed peas and wash them slightly followed by the shredded carrots and the spring onion.

After that, turn on the heat and place a wok on the stove. Then, pour the oil in the wok and let it heat for about thirty seconds. Later, put the sliced garlic and shallots in the wok, stir for a while and leave them until they turn golden brown. Then, put in the processed seafood, stir lightly and leave them for about three minutes or until the shrimps turn pink.

            In the meantime, sprinkle generous amount of salt and pepper onto the rice for seasoning. Then, mix them well. Pour the seasoned rice into the wok and keep on stirring the mixture for about three minutes. Leave the mixture for a while before stirring again afterwards. While leaving the mixture, chop the Chinese celery finely. Then, stir the mixture again for another two minutes.

            Turn off the heat, and serve the dish on a large-sized serving plate. Finally, sprinkle the chopped celery on top for garnishing. Now, the fried rice is ready to be enjoyed and it is best to be served hot. It is really simple to be prepared, isn't it? All the best for the competition though. Well Maria, I have to sum up my writing right here. Hope to hear from you very soon. Bye!

Yours sincerely,

Sue