Postponing a visit

Dear John,

Following our telephone conversation I confirm that my proposed visit to London will have to be postponed.

As I have suggested, I can come to England around March 17 if that fits in your time schedule.

I hope these changed arrangements will not cause any serious problems for you.

Regards,

Andrey

Thanking for hospitality

Dear Mr Petrov

Now that I am back in London, I feel that I must write to thank you most warmly for all the kindness and hospitality shown to me in Moscow. It was great pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting the directors of Russian Standards and of talking things over personally.

Could you, please, convey my thanks to Mr Ivanov for the trouble he took in his technical explanations?

I hope I will be able to reciprocate your hospitality in the near future.

Let me thank you again.

Yours sincerely

Rodger Hunt

Useful phrases

Inviting people

1. We are happy to invite you to attend [name of the event].
2. We have pleasure in inviting you to the meeting [place].
3. My purpose in writing to you is to ask whether you would be interested in coming for a short visit to [visit].

Requesting to confirm the invitation

1. I would be glad if you could confirm your attendance.
2. I hope that you will be able to accept my invitation.
3. The final date of the visit will be fixed after receiving your confirmation.

Accepting an invitation

1. Thank you for your invitation which I accept with great pleasure.
2. I was pleased to get your e-mail inviting me to [place]. I accept your invitation with thanks/I will certainly be glad to come.
3. Many thanks for inviting me to [place]. I am enclosing a formal confirmation as you requested.

Refusing an invitation

1. Thank you for your e-mail inviting me to visit your firm. Unfortunately I am not able to accept your invitation due to previous arrangements which I cannot change.
2. I regret/am sorry to inform you that I have to cancel our meeting [will not be able to come to…as planned] in [place] scheduled for [date].

Postponing a visit

1. I am sorry to inform you that due to the reorganization in our company I have to postpone my visit for a week. Sorry for the inconvenience.
2. I regret very much but I will not be able to come to [place] on [date], as it was planned/agreed. I will let you know the time of my arrival later.
3. Following the telephone conversation I confirm that my proposed visit to [place] will have to be postponed. Please accept my apologies.