Invite vs. Invitation – Which is Correct?

The choice between “invite” and “invitation” hinges on their grammatical function: “invite” primarily serves as a verb, meaning to ask someone to an event, while “invitation” is a noun, referring to the request itself or the card containing it. Both are correct but used in different contexts, with “invite” describing the action and “invitation” the object or formal request.

Invite or Invitation – Which is Correct?

Both “invite” and “invitation” are correct words in American English, but they serve different grammatical purposes. The core distinction lies in their parts of speech: “invite” is predominantly used as a verb, describing the action of asking someone to an event, while “invitation” is a noun, referring to the formal request or the physical card/message conveying it. You can test this by considering if you need an action word (verb) or a naming word (noun) in your sentence.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Invite	Verb (main) / Noun (informal)	To ask someone to come to an event or place; a casual term for an invitation.	“Did you invite them to the party?” / “I got an invite to the exclusive launch.”
Invitation	Noun	A written or spoken request to attend an event; the state of being invited.	“We sent out the wedding invitations last week.”

How to Use Invite

“Invite” is primarily used as a verb, signifying the act of requesting someone’s presence at an event, place, or activity. It can be used formally or informally. Less commonly, and often considered informal or slang, “invite” can also function as a noun, meaning an invitation itself, particularly in casual conversation (e.g., “I got an invite to the concert”). However, in formal writing, the noun form “invitation” is always preferred.

Example 1: The host decided to invite all their neighbors to the summer barbecue.

Example 2: Please don’t forget to invite me to your graduation ceremony.

Example 3: They will invite applications for the new position starting next month.

What are the different forms of Invite?

As a verb, “invite” conjugates through various tenses:

• Present Simple: invite (I invite), invites (he invites)
• Present Participle: inviting (She is inviting)
• Past Simple: invited (They invited)
• Past Participle: invited (We have invited)

As an informal noun, its plural form would be “invites” (e.g., “several invites”).

Etymology of the word Invite

The word “invite” comes from the Latin word invitare, meaning “to ask, summon, or entertain.” It entered English through Old French around the 15th century, retaining its core meaning of extending a request for someone’s presence or participation.

How to Use Invitation

“Invitation” is exclusively a noun and refers to the formal request itself, whether spoken, written, or implied. It can also refer to the physical item (like a card) that conveys the request, or the state of being invited. It is suitable for all registers, from casual to highly formal communication, and is the correct noun form when referring to the request or the object of the request.

Example 1: We received a beautiful invitation to their anniversary celebration.

Example 2: Her warm smile was an unspoken invitation to sit down and chat.

Example 3: The official invitation will be sent out next week with all the details.

What are the different forms of Invitation?

As a noun, “invitation” has a plural form:

• Singular: invitation
• Plural: invitations (e.g., “They sent out hundreds of invitations.”)

Etymology of the word Invitation

“Invitation” also derives from the Latin invitationem (nominative invitatio), which means “a summoning, an inviting.” This noun form entered English around the late 15th or early 16th century, slightly later than the verb “invite,” solidifying its role as the term for the act or document of inviting.

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “invite” and “invitation” is a fundamental lesson in distinguishing between verbs and nouns. A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence (e.g., to run, to think, to invite). It tells you what someone or something is doing. A noun, on the other hand, is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea (e.g., student, city, book, invitation). It tells you what something is. In this case, “invite” is the action of extending a request, while “invitation” is the request itself (the thing or idea). Recognizing whether you need an action word or a naming word is key to using these terms correctly.

Examples from Media and Literature

• From a news report: “The President extended an invitation to the foreign dignitary to visit the White House.”
• From a novel: “He hesitated, wondering if he dared to invite her to the dance.”
• From a movie script: “She pulled out a glittering card. ‘It’s an invite to the exclusive gala,’ she whispered.” (Note the informal use of ‘invite’ as a noun)
• From a formal letter: “We are pleased to formally invite you to our annual charity dinner.”
• From a social media post: “Thanks for the invitation to the beach party, I’ll be there!”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Did you remember to ______ your cousins to the family reunion?
2. The wedding ______ cards were beautifully designed.
3. It would be an honor to ______ you as our guest speaker.
4. She eagerly awaited the official ______ to the royal ball.
5. I’d like to ______ you for your kind ______ to dinner.

Answer Key

1. invite
2. invitation
3. invite
4. invitation
5. invite, invitation

Invite Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Ask	To request someone’s presence.
Bid	To request or command someone to come.
Request	To formally ask for something or someone’s attendance.
Summon	To authoritatively call on someone to be present.
Welcome	To greet someone warmly upon their arrival or to express pleasure at their coming.

Invitation Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Request	An act of asking for something.
Summons	An order to appear at a particular place.
Bid	A formal offer or request.
Call	An appeal or request.
Plea	An emotional appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “invite” ever be a noun?
Yes, “invite” can be used as an informal noun, particularly in casual speech or writing (e.g., “I got an invite to the concert”). However, in formal contexts, “invitation” is always the preferred and correct noun form.

Question 2: Which word should I use when referring to the physical card?
When referring to the physical card or message that conveys the request, “invitation” is the correct word (e.g., “The wedding invitations were beautiful”).

Question 3: Is it wrong to say “send an invite”?
While commonly heard in informal settings, “send an invite” is grammatically less formal than “send an invitation.” For professional or formal communication, stick with “send an invitation.”

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “invite” and “invitation” is a straightforward application of understanding parts of speech. “Invite” serves primarily as a verb, denoting the action of asking someone to participate or attend, while “invitation” is the noun, referring to the request itself or the item conveying it. While “invite” can informally act as a noun, maintaining the verb/noun distinction ensures clarity and professionalism in your communication.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, consider whether you are describing an action (use “invite”) or a thing/concept (use “invitation”). This simple test will help you choose the correct word and maintain a strong professional reputation in your writing.