誘う and 断る: invitations and refusals
Use verb forms to identify who invited and who refused.
Inviting someone to join
誘う (さそう) means inviting someone to do something together. 「友達を映画に誘いました」 says that the speaker invited a friend to a movie. It does not establish whether the friend attended.
「散歩に誘ってくれてありがとう」 thanks someone for inviting the speaker on a walk. 誘う is not limited to formal events where guests are hosted.
Declining a proposal
断る (ことわる) means declining a proposal or request. 「今回は誘いを断りました」 says that the speaker declined the invitation this time. It does not establish the end of the entire relationship.
「断りにくいです」 means that it is hard to refuse. It does not say that refusal has occurred or acceptance is certain; difficulty and decision are different.
Checking who refused
「友達を誘いましたが、断られました」 means inviting a friend and being turned down. In 「友達の誘いを断りました」, the speaker instead declined the friend's invitation. Read the passive form and object together.
「今日は行けませんが、また誘ってください」 means that the speaker cannot go today but would like another invitation. Current nonattendance and a wish for future invitations can coexist.
Does 「誘われました」 alone show that the speaker went along?
Show the answer and why
No. It only states that the speaker was invited; acceptance and attendance are separate.