How To Write An Informal Email PDF

AN INFORMAL EMAIL
Common topics: Many informal emails to friends and relatives deal with
giving advice on a certain subject, such as visiting your hometown,
keeping fit, advice on which cities to visit in your country, organising a
party for a mutual friend, etc. Sometimes, these topics may appear in
combination.
STRUCTURE
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.
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, Bestwishes,
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 […]
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Greetings:
• Dear Sarah,
• Hello Sara,
• Hi Sara,
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.
 How’s it going?
 How are you doing?
 How are things?
 How are things going?
 It’s great to hear from you!
 Long time, no see!
 Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but
 I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.
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)…
Reacting to good news:
• I’m glad to hear that

• I’m so happy that
• Great news about your
• I’m very happy to hear about
• It’s so great that
Reacting to bad news:
• I’m so sorry to hear about

• Sorry to read about
• I can’t tell you how sad I am that
• I’m extremely sorry to hear about
• It’s just awful to hear that
Introducing paragraphs:
• Oh, by the way,

• Hey, did you hear about…?
• One more thing,
• As for
• By the way, tell me about
Ending the email or letter:
• Well, I gotta go now.

• Anyway, I should get going.
• I’ve got to leave you now.
• I’d better get going.
• Well, it’s time to go
• Make sure you write soon
• Don’t forget to drop me a line soon.
• Look after yourself.
• Take care of yourself.
Closing the email or letter:
• All my love,
• Love,
• Lots of love,
• All the best,
• Take care,
• Best wishes,
• Best,
• Regards,
• Kind regards,

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AN INFORMAL EMAIL

2. The first paragraph (opening)

3. The next paragraphs (main content)

4. Closing and signing off

 Give a reason why you’re ending the letter:

TIP: Remember about “linking” in the letter!

Let me start by telling you a […]

It was nominated to become […] Also, don’t forget to […]

Example opening phrases

Other useful phrases

Reacting to good news:

• I’m glad to hear that

Reacting to bad news:

• I’m so sorry to hear about

• Oh, by the way,

Ending the email or letter:

• Well, I gotta go now.

Closing the email or letter:

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