INFORMAL LETTERS
Beginning:
– I hope you’re well.
– I hope this letter finds you well.
– I hope you enjoyed your trip to London.
– I’m just writing to let you know that we received your gift.
– I’m just writing to thank you for checking on the house while we were away.
– I just wanted to write a quick letter to tell you that we’ve moved house.
Ending:
– I hope to see you soon!
– Hope to see you then!
– Enjoy your stay / trip / holiday.
– Best of luck with your test.
– I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
– Keep in touch!
– Say hello to the family!
– I look forward to catching up with you soon.
Thanking someone:
– I’m just writing to thank you for all the help that you’ve given me over the last year.
– I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done.
– Thank you so much for letting us stay in the apartment. It was really kind of you.
Requesting (asking for something):
– I hope you don’t mind me asking, but could you possibly give me a hand this weekend?
– I’d be really grateful if you could pop in to check on the house while we’re away.
– I’m just writing to ask whether you could look after my cat for a few days.
– It would be great if you could help us with this.
Making a suggestion:
– I was wondering if you would like to come on holiday with us.
– Why don’t we meet for lunch next week?
– Why don’t you stay over at our house while you’re here?
– You’re more than welcome to sleep in the spare room.
– And don’t forget to check out that new restaurant that I told you about.
Problems / excuses:
– I’d love to accept your invitation, but unfortunately I’ll be away that weekend.
– I’m afraid I won’t be able to come to your birthday party.
– Sorry I didn’t write to you earlier, but I’ve been really busy at work recently.
– This is why I didn’t have time to call you.
Saying sorry:
– Sorry I didn’t write to your earlier.
– I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to be there on your special day.
– I really hope you’ll forgive me for forgetting that it was your birthday last Sunday.
– By way of an apology, I’d like to take you both out for lunch.
FORMAL LETTERS
Beginning:
– I am writing with regard to a product that I recently purchased from your store.
– I am writing to request that you refund my payment.
– I am writing to thank you for your support over the course of the last year.
– I am writing to inform you that I have decided to resign from my post.
– I am writing to inform you of my decision to accept an offer from a company in London.
– I am writing to complain about the condition of the local park.
– I am writing to bring to your attention the increasing number of accidents on ….. street.
Ending:
– On behalf of all of my colleagues, I would like to thank you for providing such a professional service.
– Thank you for your help and support.
– I look forward to receiving your response.
– I await your prompt response.
– I hope that you will address these concerns as soon as possible.
– Please let me know if you require any further information.
– I hope that my request does not cause you any inconvenience.
Thanking someone:
– I am writing to thank you for making our stay at your hotel such an enjoyable one.
– I am grateful for all the support that you have given me during my time working here.
– We would all like to thank you for organising such a wonderful event.
Requesting (asking for something):
– I have decided that I would like to cancel my subscription to your magazine.
– I would therefore ask that you send all post to my new address.
– I would also like to you contact me by phone when you receive this letter.
– I was wondering if it would be possible for me to rejoin the course next year.
– I would be extremely grateful if you could send the item before the end of the week.
– I would like to request that you contact me by email.
– I would appreciate it if you could replace the damaged item free of charge.
Making a suggestion:
– I would like to suggest that you look into this issue further.
– Another solution would be to improve the signage in your hotel.
– As the mistake was caused by your company, I hope that you will reimburse the taxi fare that I paid.
Complaining about a problem:
– I am writing to complain about the way that I was treated by a member of your staff.
– I would like to express my dissatisfaction with an item that I bought in your shop.
– I was extremely disappointed with the assistance that I received when I contacted you.
– Unfortunately, there were no other free rooms.
– As a result of this error, I was unable to attend an important meeting.
– The issue that most concerns me is the danger that this presents to children.
– I hope that you will address these concerns as soon as possible.
Apologising (saying sorry):
– I would like to apologise for my late arrival at Friday’s conference.
– Please accept my sincere apologies
Source: IELTS Simon
