INFORMAL LETTERS/ EMAILS
1. Salutation
Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In
emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person’s name). Dear Ben, or Hi Ben, (Don’t
forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear Mr
John, which is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)
2. The first paragraph (opening)
When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would
normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are
replying. It is often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the
original letter too.
Example opening phrases
▪ How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
▪ Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.
▪ It was good /nice/great to hear from you again.
Other useful phrases
▪ I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was
busy with my new job
▪ Thank you for asking/inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able
to…
▪ I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
▪ I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly)…
3. The next paragraphs (main content)
Say why you are writing. If you need to change agreements or turn someone down,
give reasons. Give the information that you have been told to give. Add some more
details of your own if you like.
4. Closing and signing off
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are
some standard ways of finishing an informal letter or email.
▪ Give a reason why you’re ending the letter:
Anyway, I must go and get on with my work. / I guess it’s time I got on with that
studying I’ve been avoiding.
▪ Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact:
Give my love /regards to… / Say hello to… / Anyway, don’t forget to let me
know the dates of the party. / I’ll try and phone you at the wee”end to check the
times. / We must try and meet up soon.
▪ Closing statement
such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be
written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a
comma here too.
▪ Signing off
Your first name then follows on another new line
▪ TIP: Remember about “linking” in the letter!
▪ Between paragraphs:
▪ Let me start by telling you a […]
By the way, do you have a […]
Anyway, I must go and get on, […]
▪ Within a paragraph:
▪ It was nominated to become […] Also, don’t forget to […]
B2 First (FCE) Informal Letter & Email: Tips
• Begin your letter by saying why you
are writing.
• Remember, the letter uses informal language.
• Try to avoid using exactly the same words that appear in the
notes.
• Make sure you have included all the points from the notes.
• Use an appropriate closing formula.
• Decide what each paragraph will say before you start
writing; each paragraph should have a specific purpose.
• Imagine you are really writing the letter and put yourself
into the writer’s position.
• Check your work for accuracy, punctuation and spelling.
Greetings
Dear Jim
Hello Jim
Hi Jim
Introductory paragraph
Sorry I haven’t written for ages.
Sorry it’s taken me so long to write.
How’s it going?
How are you?
How are things with you?
How are things?
Referring to good news:
Glad to hear about.
I’m really glad to hear about
I’m very happy to hear about
I was very happy to read about
Referring to bad news:
I’m extremely sorry to hear about.
I’m very sorry to hear about.
Sorry to read about.
Its very sad to hear about you.
I can’t tell you how sad I am that.
Introducing points:
By the way
Did you hear about
Did you see
Have you seen
Tell me about
Oh, another thing
Ending:
Well, time to go.
Well, it’s time to go.
Well, got to go.
Well, time to close.
I’ve got to leave off now.
Write soon.
Make sure you write soon.
Love
REMEMBER TO:
• USE A CHATTY STYLE
• USE INFORMAL WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
• USE A VARIETY OF STRUCTURES ( for example for giving advice)
In https://engxam.com/handbook/how-to-write-an-informal-letter-email (adapted)
