[Grammar] On the occasion or on occasion

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Tatiana L

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Dear forum members,
Does the following invitation sound ok?
"Pleasehelp yourselves to some cakes in the kitchen on the occasion of my birthday"
And should I use "the" before "occasion" in this case?

Many thanks in advance:)
 
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Tarheel

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Say:

Please help yourselves to some cake in the kitchen on my birthday.

You might want to add the date.

(You can use the "Thank" button if you found my advice useful.)
 

Rover_KE

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And should I use "the" before "occasion" in this case?
Yes, you must, if you insist on using that formal phrase.

Tarheel's version is more natural.
 

teechar

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I wonder if the OP meant to say:
Please help yourselves to cake in the kitchen; it's my birthday!
 

Tarheel

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P.$. If you actually have cakes (cupcakes), you might want to say:

Everybody help yourself to a cake.
 

emsr2d2

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[STRIKE]Dear forum members, [/STRIKE] Unnecessary

Does the following invitation sound [STRIKE]ok[/STRIKE] OK?

"Please (space here) help yourselves to some cakes in the kitchen on the occasion of my birthday."
And should I use "the" before "occasion" in this case?

Many thanks in advance. (It's not necessary to thank us in advance but, if you must, end the sentence with a full stop. [STRIKE]:)[/STRIKE]
Don't try to make your own emoticons. Click on :) and choose the appropriate one.

As the others said, it's a little wordy and formal. I'd say something like "It's my birthday and there are cakes in the kitchen. Help yourselves!"
 
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