Letter of Apology 60-80 words

Informal letter - apologizing for not being able to attend or do something

(past and future events/actions)

Hi/Hello/Dear…. (name of the recipient),

I paragraph ----------- say that you are sorry

II paragraph ----------- reason why 1. You missed it

2. You will miss it

III paragraph ------------ compensation (wish good luck and think how you will
make up to your friend and most letters end with a reference to the next contact
with your friend ‘ looking forward to seeing you/hearing from you’)

Love/Lots of love/Love and kisses…..(your name)

Technical devices – how to sound informal

1. Remember you are writing to a friend

- be friendly and jokey ----- How’s your diet going?

- refer to common friends ----- How’s your sister? Have you heard from Edward?
Say hello to Ann from me. Give my love to the baby.

- refer to things you friend already knows ----- I’m sure you’ll remember…

As you know … Just like you said …

2. Write in ‘spoken’ English i.e. use personal constructions with ‘you’ and ‘I’

I know this sound silly, but…

I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but …

…. if you know what I mean.

3. Use informal vocabulary (phrasal verbs, hot verbs, informal linking words)

- expressing your opinion (To be quite honest, To tell you the truth, Frankly, I’d
say…)

- expressing surprise (Believe it or not, You’ll never believe this, Guess what!
Funnily enough, This may surprise you…)

- changing the subject (Anyway, Talking of which, By the way, Before I forget, That
reminds me…)

- listing reasons (To start with, First of all, What’s more, Plus, And another thing,
And besides…)

4. Use abbreviations, contractions and ellipsis

Mon a.m. – Tue p.m. I’ll She won’t Nice to hear from you (It was nice..)

Just a sec. Just read your note (I’ve just read…)

pls Glad you could come (I’m glad you…)

prob Remember her? (Do you remember)

Hi Jane,

I’m really sorry for missing out your exhibition last weekend. I’m sure it was
a great success! How did it go? I heard some rave comments and wasn’t surprise
knowing your talent. How’s your mum?

I actually wanted to come, but I had an unexpected visit from an old friend
of mine. Remember Logan, from Canada? Believe it or not he came that exact day
and I thought we would come together but he was exhausted - spent 6 hours
travelling by bus.

Isn’t a very good reason, prob. I know how important this event was to you,
but I just wanted to let you know how I feel, that I’m really sorry. I must make up
to you and I’m going to next weekend. I’ve arranged something just for the two of
us. It’s a surprise! Looking forward to seeing you!

Love Mary

*Write an informal letter of apology – apologize your friend for not being able to
attend his concert 2 days ago

* Your friend is throwing a house-warming party next Saturday but

unfortunately you won’t be able to attend. Write a letter of apology 60-90
words to say that you are sorry and give a solid reason.