Phrases for Informal Letters and Emails
Starting an Informal Letter or Email
- I’m sorry I haven’t written / haven’t been in touch for such a long time.
- It’s ages since I’ve heard from you. I hope you’re well / you and your family are well.
- How are things? / How are you? / How’s it going?
Other Useful Phrases
Referring to News
- Great news about… Glad to hear that… Sorry to hear about…
Giving News
- Listen, did I tell you about…? You’ll 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
- I’m writing to apologize for missing your party, but I’m afraid I was down with the flu.
- I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card, but I was busy with my new job.
Invitations
- I’m / We’re having a party on Friday the 19th, and I / we hope you’ll 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 you’d like to go to the theater / come on holiday with us.
- Could you let me / us know if you can come / you’d like to join us?
- Thank you very much for your invitation. I’d love to come.
- Thank you for asking / inviting me to…, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to…
Requests
- I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favor.
- I wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me / do me a favor.
- I hope you don’t mind me asking, but could you (possibly)…?
- I’d be very / really / terribly grateful if you could…
Thank You / Congratulations / Good Luck
- I’m 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.
- Don’t worry; I’m sure you’ll do well / pass.
- Do be on time, won’t you, and don’t forget to…
Making Suggestions and Recommendations
- Why don’t you…? / Maybe you could…? / How about…?
- You can’t leave New York without (…doing something)
- I’m sure you will enjoy (…doing something). If you like, we can…
- Do visit… / Don’t forget to…
Closing an Informal Letter or Email
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 weekend to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon. / I can’t wait to hear from you / Look forward to seeing you again / Hope to hear from you soon / See you soon / Write 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