Party Grammar!

Learn some collocations, prepositions, colloquial language and common expressions you can use for socialising.  Your English friends will be impressed and amazed!

Collocations

Verb + party

To have a party

To throw a party

To organise a party

‘I’m having a party!  Can you come?’

‘We’re throwing a party for my sister’

‘Can you help me organise the office party?’

Party invitation – if you are invited to a formal party, you will receive a formal invitation that you must reply to.  The invitations may have RSVP on it – this means ‘répondez s’il-vous-plait’ which is French for ‘please respond’.  There will be details – usually an email address or a website where you can confirm your attendance.

Party + noun

A ‘party girl’ is a girl who loves going to parties, clubs, pubs – she likes having fun.

Party clothes – clothes you wear to a party

Party pooper – somebody who doesn’t like parties.  A party pooper is somebody who often refuses an invitation to a party. ‘what a party pooper!’

Prepositions:

To

‘I’ve been invited to a party!’ 

 ‘I went to a wonderful party last night’

At

‘Were you at Jim’s party last week’

‘I was at this crazy party last week’

‘I’m at the party – why don’t you come?’

Use for when you’re organising a party

‘I’m having a party for my birthday’

Expressions:

‘The party’s in full swing’ – very busy and noisy

‘The party broke-up around midnight’ – the party ended around midnight

‘the party went on all night!’

When you leave – thank you hosts:

‘Thank you so much for inviting me – I’ve had a wonderful evening’

Colloquial Expressions:

‘Let’s party!’ – this means ‘let’s have some fun’

‘Party on!’ (phrasal verb) this is colloquial and can be a way of saying goodbye when you’re leaving a party encouraging your friends to stay and have fun. You would say ‘party on guys’ as you left.

‘Keep partying!’ 

Phrasal Verbs:

Dress-up – wear your most glamorous clothes!

Types of party

Drinks party – just drinks (Champagne, Prosecco or wine) and nibbles.  A drinks party is usually from 7pm till 9.30pm.

Cocktail party – the same as a drinks party, but you drink cocktails.

Tea party – tea, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits.  A tea party starts at about 4.30pm and finishes around 6pm.

Lunch party – lunchtime in the UK is around 1pm.  A formal lunch party is similar to a dinner party but at lunchtime.  Dress up!

Dinner party – dress up for a dinner party and arrive around 7.30pm till 11ish.

Supper party – no need to dress up.  A supper party can be a casual affair – maybe in your friend’s kitchen.  Usually for a few close friends, from 7pm till 10ish.