Informal letter
Greeting: Dear Lucy, John, friend,
Hi Lucy, Hello John,
Opening remarks:
How are you? How’s it going?
How are you getting on with… (smth)?
Sorry, I’ve taken so long to put pen to paper, but…
I apologize for the fact that I haven’t written for…
I have something special to tell you.
Can you imagine…?
Sorry, I couldn’t reply sooner.
Sorry for a late response.
I haven’t written for a long time/ for so long/ for such
a long time.
Sorry for not being in touch for so long.
Sorry for losing touch with you.
I really should have written sooner.
Thanks a million/ a bunch for your letter.
I had my hand full all the time. (=was extremely busy)
I was taking my exams/ preparing for my exams.
I hope you’ve passed your exams with flying colours.
It’s been ages since we last spoke.
I hope you and your family are well.
Sorry for not writing you back the moment I got your
letter.
Main part
As for me,… In my opinion/view,…
To my mind, … I think….
From my point of view….
As I see it….
If I were you, I’d / I wouldn’t…
You should/ shouldn’t…
It would(n’t)/ might be a good idea for you to..
I think the best thing (for you) would be to…
Why don’t you..?
Have you thought of/about … V ing?
Another good idea is..
Last but not least
To be honest,…
In a nutshell,… (= very briefly, giving only the main
points)
Closing remarks
What are your plans for the future?
What are you going to do in the future?
I hope that my/this advice will help you.
Let me know if my advice will come in handy/will be
useful
Sorry , I have to go, my mum is calling me.
I need to go, my favoirute TV show starts in five
minutes.
Informal letter
Greeting: Dear Lucy, John, friend,
Hi Lucy, Hello John,
Opening remarks:
How are you? How’s it going?
How are you getting on with… (smth)?
Sorry, I’ve taken so long to put pen to paper, but…
I apologize for the fact that I haven’t written for…
I have something special to tell you.
Can you imagine…?
Sorry, I couldn’t reply sooner.
Sorry for a late response.
I haven’t written for a long time/ for so long/ for such
a long time.
Sorry for not being in touch for so long.
Sorry for losing touch with you.
I really should have written sooner.
Thanks a million/ a bunch for your letter.
I had my hand full all the time. (=was extremely busy)
I was taking my exams/ preparing for my exams.
I hope you’ve passed your exams with flying colours.
It’s been ages since we last spoke.
I hope you and your family are well.
Sorry for not writing you back the moment I got your
letter.
Main part
As for me,… In my opinion/view,…
To my mind, … I think….
From my point of view….
As I see it….
If I were you, I’d / I wouldn’t…
You should/ shouldn’t…
It would(n’t)/ might be a good idea for you to..
I think the best thing (for you) would be to…
Why don’t you..?
Have you thought of/about … V ing?
Another good idea is..
Last but not least
To be honest,…
In a nutshell,… (= very briefly, giving only the main
points)
Closing remarks
What are your plans for the future?
What are you going to do in the future?
I hope that my/this advice will help you.
Let me know if my advice will come in handy/will be
useful
Sorry , I have to go, my mum is calling me.
I need to go, my favoirute TV show starts in five
minutes.
Sorry, I must finish my letter because I’ve got loads of
homework to do tonight/I’m snowed under with sth
Sorry, I have to do my chores.
Write soon and tell me all your news.
Ending (2 sentences)
Hope to hear from you soon,
Give my best wishes to your parents.
I would be glad to hear from you soon.
Pass on my regards to your family.
I purple you! (=I love you - slang)
Best of luck!
Say hi to your family for me.
Go write back as soon as possible/ASAP.
Break your leg! (=Good luck!)
I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits.
Lots of love,
Best wishes,
Looking forward to hearing from you/to your letter,
Keep in touch,
Sorry, I must finish my letter because I’ve got loads of
homework to do tonight/I’m snowed under with sth
Sorry, I have to do my chores.
Write soon and tell me all your news.
Ending (2 sentences)
Hope to hear from you soon,
Give my best wishes to your parents.
I would be glad to hear from you soon.
Pass on my regards to your family.
I purple you! (=I love you - slang)
Best of luck!
Say hi to your family for me.
Go write back as soon as possible/ASAP.
Break your leg! (=Good luck!)
I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits.
Lots of love,
Best wishes,
Looking forward to hearing from you/to your letter,
Keep in touch,