How to write a personal email expressing thanks and apology

Let’s analyse the writing:

• Who is the email addressed to: a professor, a manager, a friend, or a travel
agent?
• How many paragraphs are there?
• Is the language formal or informal (friendly)? Why?
• What does the writer want to say?

Model:

Dear Marija,

Hi! How are you? Congratulations to you and Slobodan on your marriage.
I’m sure you looked very beautiful in your wedding dress. I want to thank you
for the invitation to your wedding and tell you that I’m really sorry that I
couldn’t attend.

I feel so bad that I could not be there for you on one of the most important
and special days of your life. All the ights were booked because of the
holiday season. I completely forgot that it will be a busy time for the airlines. I
really regret not booking the tickets earlier. I tried my best to nd a ticket, but
unfortunately it was too late. It’s my fault, and I want to apologise for this.

Anyway, I wish that you and Slobodan have a wonderful life together. I hope
that you can nd it in your heart to forgive a forgetful friend.

Love,
Jelena
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 How to write an email to a friend expressing thanks and apology

• Be warm and easy-going. Use rst names:

e.g. Marija, Darko, Aleksa, etc.
• You can use short forms (it’s more informal):
e.g. I’ve, don’t, can’t, etc.
• Use informal expressions:
e.g. Thanks

Organising your email:

• Greet your friend:
e.g. Dear Marija; Hi, Darko
• Say why you are writing:
e.g. to thank her / him for the invitation OR to apologise for not attending
State in details why you are apologizing.
• Use the closing salutation:
e.g. Warm wishes, Sincerely, Best, Yours, etc.
• Sign o only with your rst name:
e.g. Maksim, Olivera, Tatjana

Useful phrases:
Thanking: Thanks, Thank you, Thank you so much for (your invitation,
inviting me), I can’t thank you enough for (your invitation, inviting me), I’m
extremely grateful for you invitation, I appreciate your invitation

Apologizing: I want to apologise for not (attending), I’m very sorry that (I
couldn’t come), I regret not attending, Please forgive me for not attending,
etc.
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Writing task: Now write a personal email. It was your friend’s birthday last
Saturday, but you couldn’t attend. You need to thank your friend for the
invitation. Also, you need to apologise for not being there and state in details
why you couldn’t be there for this special day.
Write at least 100 words.
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