PET WRITING NOTES – INFORMAL LETTERS

 Part 1: Writing Short Messages (Notes)

Here is a list of possible functional language that may appear:

1. Suggesting or recommending
2. Giving advice
3. Requesting
4. Apologising
5. Offering
6. Warning

Language to suggest, give advice and recommend:


 Why don’t you ……  Remember that…
 You really should ……  Don’t forget about/that…
 If I were you, I would ……  It’s important to remember sth./that…
 How about ……  It’s essential that you do/bring…
 Have you thought about …….
 Maybe, you could ……. Congratulations
 You had better ……  Congratulations on…!
 Congratulations! It’s great that you…
Language to request:  Well done!
 Would it be alright if ……  Well done with…!
 Could I ……  Way to go!
 Would you mind if …….
 Do you mind if …… Apologising
 I’m really sorry about…
Language to apologise:  I’m sorry that I…
 I’m really sorry but ……  Forgive me for…
 I hope you can forgive me but ……  Please, forgive me!
 I’d like to apologise for ……
 Language to offer: Suggesting
 Shall I …..  Why don’t we…?
 Would you like me to ……  How about…?
 Would you like another …….  What about…?
 Can I ……  Shall we…?
 Let’s…,
Inviting  Let’s…, shall we?
 Would you like to come over…?  It could be a good idea to…
 Do you want to…?
 I’d like to you come… Arranging meetings
 Why don’t you come…  Let’s meet at…
 I’ll see you … at …, okay?
Reminding  Is it okay if we meet at…?
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 Wish good things
Offering  Good luck (with…)!
 Shall I…?  All the best (with…)!
 Can I help you with…?  Hope you enjoy …!
 I can give you a hand with…, if you want.  Enjoy yourself!
 I’ll …. , if you want.  Have fun (at/in…)!
 Let me know if you need any help with…  Have a good time (at/in…)!
 You’ll have no problems with…!
Saying «yes» / accepting  You can do it! 
 Of course I’ll go  (to…).
 I’m more than happy to… Asking for advice
 I’m glad to…  What could/can I do (about/with…)?
 Great! I’d really like to…  Do you think I should…?
 Should I…?
Saying «no» / refusing  What would you do?
 I’m sorry, but I can’t…
 (Thanks, but ) I’m afraid I can’t… Saying what you liked/disliked
 Sorry, but it’s impossible for me to…  What I really enjoyed/liked/loved/hated was…
 I’d like to, but I can’t…  I really enjoyed/liked/loved/hated…
 What I liked/enjoyed/… most was…
Asking for information  My favourite (part of the…) was…
 Could you tell me…?  The best thing (about…) was…
 Can you tell me…?
 Is it true that…? Farewell expressions
 Do you know (if…) …?  Bye!
 Please, let me know (if…) …?  Bye for now!
 Best,
Expressing preference  All the best,
 I would prefer to…  (if that’s okay).  Best wishes,
 I’d rather…  Regards,
 I like …. better.  See you soon!
 What I’d like/love is to…

Writing A Note 1
Your family is visiting London next month. You have an English pen friend called Zara who also
lives in London. You would like to meet here when you go to London.

Write an email to Zara. In your email, you should:

 say when your family is coming to London
 ask if you can meet up, and suggest a day
 suggest what you can do together.
Write 35-45 words.
………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Email about visit to London
Dear Zara,
My family is visiting London next month from 13th – 20th December . I would love to meet you
while I am in London. My dad is taking me and my brother to London zoo on Saturday 15th

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 December. Why don’t you come too? It would be great to see you again.
Love

Writing A Note 2
You are on holiday with your family. Unfortunately, the weather has been very wet. Write an email
to your friend. In your email you should:
 describe where you are
 say what you have been doing
 say how you feel
Write 35-45 words.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Email about wet holiday
Dear Simon,
I’m on holiday with my family in Scotland. It hasn’t been a great holiday. It has rained nearly every
day. Yesterday it rained until half past five in the evening. We played cards and watched TV. It
was quite boring. Then I argued with my brother and my parents got angry. I hope the weather is
better tomorrow!
From Paul.

Writing A Note 3

Your friend, Chris, has invited you to a special party which he is organizing for your college
teacher. Write an email to Chris. In your email, you should
 Accept the invitation
 Suggest how you could help Chris prepare for the party
 Ask Chris for some ideas for a present for your teacher
Write 35-45 words on your answer sheet.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Hi Chris!
Thanks a lot for inviting me to the party, I’ll be there. Shall I give you a hand buying all the food
and drinks?
By the way, what could I get for the teacher as a present?
Write back soon,
Luis

Writing A Note 4
You’ve just bought something new for your kitchen
Write an email to your friend Sally. In your email, you should
 Describe what you have bought (10 words)
 Explain why you needed it(10 words)
 Say where you are going to put it (10 words)
Write 35-45 word on your answer sheet
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Hey Sally!
Guess what? I’ve just bought a new blender for my kitchen. I bought it because I want to make

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 fresh fruit juice. I’m going to put it next to the fridge. Come round to my house and I’ll make you a
juice.
Love and kisses (47 words)

Part 2: Writing Informal Letters

Starting your letter (Paragraph 1):  Anyway, the reason I’m writing …
 Thanks for your letter.  I thought I’d write to tell/ask you …
 Lovely to hear from you.  Anyway, I was wondering …
 How are you?
 How are things? Ending your letter (Paragraph 3):
 Hope you’re well.  Well, that’s all for now
 Write back soon
Commenting on something (Paragraph  Looking forward to hearing from you again
1):  All the best
 I’m sorry to hear/learn …  Best wishes
 I’m so pleased to hear …  See you soon
 It’s great to hear …  Take care
 What wonderful news about …  Yours
 Love
Moving the topic on (Paragraph 2):  Lots of love

Question 1- This is a part of the letter you received from a friend.
 Hi!
 I’m writing because, as you know, Jan is leaving our school and moving to Australia. I was thinking
of having a part to say goodbye. Do you think it’s a good idea?
 If so, can you think of a good place to have the party?
 Would it be best to have it on a weekday or at the weekend?
 Also, I’m thinking of hiring a band for the party. Do you know what sort of music Jan likes best?
 See you soon!
 Pat

 Answer 1 – Letter to a friend

 Hi Pat
It's a great idea to have a leaving party for Jan. I will really miss him!

 As for where to hold the party, why don't we hire the village hall? It's big enough for our whole
year group, and it isn't very expensive to hire.

 I think a weekday would be better, because lots of people go away at the weekends, so they
would not be available for the party. A Friday night is probably best, because then we won't have
school the following day.

 Jan's favourite kind of music is country. I know because we saw a country band at a festival last

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 summer and he loved it. But I don't know any local country bands. Do you?

 Keep in touch. I'm happy to help you organise the party!

Best wishes ,
Kit

 Question 2 - This is part of a letter you receive from your penfriend James.
 In your next letter, please tell me about the music you like.
What’s your favourite kind of music? Do you play an instrument?
 Now write a letter, answering your penfriend’s questions.

 Answer 2- Letter to a friend

 Dear James

 Thank you for your letter, which came yesterday. It’s always good to hear from you.
I play the guitar quite a lot. I am not very good but I enjoy it. I often go to my friend's house and
we play together. I don't go to many concerts as I live in a small town and not many bands come
here. At parties we often dance and I like that! I like rock and roll music best. I listen to a lot of
music on my mp3 player. I have usually got it with me.

 What about you? Do you play an instrument?

Write soon,

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