Informal Letters

Informal letters should include

·   Clear Paragraphs

·   Contractions:  I’d, it’s, I’m…

·   Phrasal verbs.

·   Interesting adjectives: enormous, wonderful, fantastic, terrific, incredibly cheap

·   Informal linking words: also, but, actually, anyway, so, then, fortunately...

Greeting

Dear Ana

Hello Ana

Hi Ana

        Getting started     

Many thanks for your last letter.

Thanks a lot for the letter.

It’s so good to hear from you, It’s been ages since we have seen each other.

Sorry I haven’t written for ages

Sorry it’s taken me so long to write

How are you?

How are things with you?

How are things?

How's it going?

Sorry I haven’t written back for so long.

Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply.

I’ve been really busy recently.

I’ve been working really hard.

I’ve been studying like mad for my final exams.

I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner, I have been really busy.       

I’m sorry it has taken me so long to write to you, I have been really busy.

This is just a note to say that... / to tell you about...

          Referring to their news  

Great news about ...

Glad to hear that ...

I’m really glad to hear about

I’m very happy to hear about

I was very happy to read about

Great news about your…

That’s great news about the (house / job / trip),   I’m so happy for you.

I’m glad to hear about the  (house / job / promotion), I always knew you would do it one day.

The (new house / job…) sounds brilliant, how are you settling in?

Your... sounds an excellent idea and...

I’m really pleased you’re (coming to Madrid).

It’s great that you’re (coming here soon).

When exactly will you be (coming)?

Do you know (when you’re coming)?

Sorry to hear about ...

Sorry to read about

I’m extremely sorry to hear about

I’m very sorry to hear about

Its very sad to hear about your

I can’t tell you how sad I am that

Anyway, I don’t think it will be long before…

             Giving news

Listen, did I tell you about ...

You'll never believe what ...

By the way,

Did you hear about

Did you see

Have you seen

That reminds me, 

You’ll never guess what happened to me last week

Oh, another thing

About (the / your)...,

Speaking of..,

As for...

Is all right if / for me to...?

          Asking for Information / Help

Could you tell me … ?

Please tell me whether…

Let me know if…

Oh, I almost forgot! Could I/you…?

        Making suggestions         

Why don't you ...?

Maybe you could ...

How about ...?

Giving Advice

You asked about . . . . . . . .. . .  Well, the best thing to do is + infinitive

You wanted to know if . . . . . . . My advice would be + infinitive

About the . . . . . . . . . . .  , I would recommend + gerund / noun

Making an invitation

I’m having a party and was wondering if you’d like to come.

You’d be more than welcome to come and stay some time. How about the 15th of June?

Accepting / rejecting  invitation

I’d love to come and stay with you, thanks for the invitation.

I’d love to accept your invitation but I have an exam that week. What a shame! Perhaps another time.

        Closing expressions         

Well, got to go now.

Give my love to ...

Say hello to ...

See you soon!

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

I must go, as it’s getting late and I have an early start tomorrow.

I’d better close now as I have homework to do.

Well, that’s all from me.

Friendly final comment

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

I can’t wait to hear from you. Let me know how you are getting on.

I can’t wait to see you, I’m looking forward to your visit.

Keep in touch, I always look forward to your letters.

        Signing off 

Love,

Lots of love,

Yours,

All my love

Will write again soon

Look after yourself

Take care

All the best

Write back soon and tell me your plans.

Write and tell me exactly when you are planning to (come).

Best wishes

          Name           

your first name

Remember that planning is essential! There are usually 2 or more points to discuss in a typical task at B2 level. These ideas should be divided into 2 paragraphs and sometimes you can include one of the points in the opening itself. One of the points could be discussed in more detail. This is called expansion. Read the task / instructions carefully and decide if you would like to add another point. Don’t forget to try to introduce each idea with a connector, expression and/or direct question to sound more natural).