INFORMAL LETTER

INFORMAL LETTER / IMPORTANT NOTES

Dear (first name),

Beginnings

Thank you/Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard. It was good/nice to hear from you recently. Im sorry I havent written/been in touch for such a long time. Its ages since Ive heard from you. I hope youre/you and your family are well.

 Asking

Hi! How are the things? How are you? Hows it going?
Referring to their news

Great news about Glad to hear that Sorry to hear about Giving news Listen, did I tell you about Youll never believe what Oh, and another thing This is just to let you know that I thought you might be interested to hear about/know that By the way, have you heard about/did you know that

 Apologies

Im writing to apologise for missing your party but Im afraid I was with flu. Im really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new job. If you let me know where you bought it/how much it cost Ill gladly pay for it/replace it. Please let me know how much the bill is and Ill gladly pay it.

 Invitations

Im/Were having a party on Friday 19th and I/we hope youll be able to come. Would you like to come/go to see Room With a View with me at the weekend. I was wondering if youd like to go to the theatre/come on holiday with us? Could you let me/us know if you can come/youd like to join us? Thank you vary much for your invitation. Id love to come. Thank you for asking/inviting me to but Im afraid I wont be able to

 Requests

Im writing to ask for your help/you (if you could do me) a favour. I wonder if/I was wondering if you could help me/do me a favour. I hope you dont mind me asking but could you (possibly) ? Id be very/really/terribly grateful if you could
Thank you

Congratulations Good Luck

 Im writing to thank you for your hospitality/the

wonderful present. It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you. I really appreciated all your help/advice.

Congratulations on passing your exams/your excellent exam results!

I wish you good luck/Good luck in/with your exams/your driving test/your interview. Dont worry, Im sure youll do well/pass. Do be on time, wont you, and dont forget to

 Making suggestions and recommend.

Why dont you ? Maybe you could ? How about ? You cant leave New York without doing sth Im sure you will enjoy doing sth If you like, we can Do visit somewhere Dont forget to do sth (Imperative -> Strong Recommendation) Im told that People say that (If you heard sth is good)

 Endings

Give my love/regards to Say hello to Hope to hear from you soon. See you soon! Write soon. Once again, thank you for all your help.

Signing off

Love, Lots of love, Yours, Best wishes,

First name

 Remember that in informal letters we use:

Informal vocabulary, including phrasal verbs

go on instead of cont

Simpler sentence structure

Ill be late for the party. Its because of my French exam.

Punctuation using exclamation marks

If youd been at the wedding, youd have loved the food!

 Question

You have received the following email from your English penfriend. >It's a really brave step to take a year out of >college to come and spend 6 months in the >UK! What are you planning to do with your >time? Find a job? Learn some new skills? >Write back and give me more details of your >plans so I can do my best to help you have a >good time... Write your letter of reply to your penfriend (around 120-180 words).

 Violeta Gutkowski

School: Colegio Nacional de Bs As Dear Susan, I'm writing in reply to the e-mail you sent to me. Thank you for offering your help. My plans for my six-month trip consist in the following. First, I think is a good idea to travel one month around England. The following month I thought of working at a restaurant in the place I liked best. The next three months I was planning to have a paid work. And the last month, I'm not sure yet where I would like to work. It depends on the choices I get. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind to send me some brochures form some cheap hotels where I could stay and of the best places to visit in England. I know it's a lot to ask, but could you look in the local paper for companies which are looking for part-time staff please? I really appreciate your help and I'm looking forward to your reply. Best wishes, Violeta Gutkowski

Bunty Hong School: Regent College Hi Friend, I've received your letter, I feel extremely excited that I will be able to spend 6 month experiencing myself in The United King with you. I've recently planned of what I am going to do when I get there, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me something. When I get there, I want to do a volunteer work for about two months before doing part-time work, and then I will spend a whole month traveling at the end of my stay. In the mean time, I would like to if you know if you could send me a list of charities that are looking for volunteers, especially working with children. I know it's a lot to ask you, but could you look in the local newspaper to see which company wants part-time staff as well? And could you advise me how to write a CV in English? If I could trouble you for one more favor I would like you to send me tourist information brochures or a list of useful websites on the best tourists' attractions. I know that's a lot for you to do, however, I know you will help me with the above problems. I'm looking forward to hearing from you, thanks in advance my good friend. Yours sincerely bunty hong

INFORMAL LETTER

 Question

You have received the following letter from your English-speaking friend. .............Thanks for inviting me to stay with you when I visit your country next month. I'm not sure how to get to your apartment from the airport. Could you write back giving me some basic instructions? What would be the best method of transport for me? I'd prefer one that isn't too expensive! Just one other thing - what will the weather be like when I get there? (Just so I'll know what clothes to pack!) ......... Write your letter of reply to your friend (around 120180 words).

Dbora, Curso America Essay: My dear friend, It's good to know you are finally coming to visit me. You asked about the way to my home. You can just let me pick you up at the airport, which would be great. But there are two other ways if you prefer: taking a bus or a taxi. The buses are fine, with reasonable prices, but you'll have to wait longer than if you take a taxi, once there aren't many options of buses from the airport to my place. Besides, you'll probably be tired of the long flight and full of luggage to carry. You'd better take a taxi, because despite of being more expensive, it will be more comfortable to you. About the weather, it's always hot here. The days are generally sunny, so forget about coats and jackets! It's all right if you bring mainly summer clothes such as shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Be sure to bring also some sun block, sunglasses and a swimming suit. Let me know if you need something else. Love, Dbora

Magda, lo Essay: Dear John Thanks for your last letter. I'm sorry I've not written to you earlier but I've been really busy studying for my Math's exam. In your letter, you asked me for suggestions concerning the method of transport to my apartment. Well, you can go by taxi, but I think you wouldn't be happy at the sight of the bill. There are also buses and trains going directly to my town. Trains are popular among youngsters but if I were you I wouldn't choose it. There is only one train from the airport to my town, so you might not be able to catch it. Furthermore the journey lasts three hours and carriages are very crowded. As far as I am concerned the best means of transport is the bus because it is both inexpensive and fast. Moreover the bus station is next to my house so you certainly won't get lost. As for weather, I think you should bring along some T-shirts and shorts because it's sometimes very hot in here. All sweaters and thick trainers will prove useless. However you mustn't forget about waterproof anorak because it sometimes pours with rain here. If you have any other questions, just drop me a line. I am looking forward to seeing you. Best regards Magda