Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Writing
Writing
FCE
Candidates are expected to be able to write non-specialised text types such as an article, an essay,
a letter, an email, a report or a review. Here you can find some useful words and phrases for each of
these text types.
Informal letter
Dear (first name),
Dear (first name), or Hi (first name) (for informal e-mails)
Beginnings
Asking
Hi! / How are the things? / How are you? / How’s it going?
Giving news
Apologies
I’m writing to apologise for missing your party but I’m afraid I was with flu.
I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new job.
If you let me know where you bought it/how much it cost I’ll gladly pay for it/replace it.
Please let me know how much the bill is and I’ll gladly pay it.
Invitations
I’m/We’re having a party on Friday 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 theatre/come on holiday with us?
Could you let me/us know if you can come/you’d like to join us?
Thank you vary 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 favour.
I wonder if/I was wondering if you could help me/do me a favour.
I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly) …?
I’d be very/really/terribly grateful if you could …
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.
Endings
Signing off
Love,
Lots of love,
All the best,
Best wishes,
+First name
Contractions
Beginning
Great/Lovely to hear from you (after so long)
Thanks (a lot) for the letter / It was great to get your letter
Sorry to hear about your
Sorry for not writing for so long/I haven’t written/I haven’t been in touch for so long
Persuading
You’d get so much out of it
It’d be a wonderful/marvellous opportunity for you to..
Just think of (all the people you’d meet)
Just imagine how it would (improve your cv), not to mention (the money you could earn)
Advising
Whatever you do, make sure you..
It’s (not) worth/There’s no/little point + gerund
I’d/I wouldn’t…if I were you.
You’d be much better off + gerund
Ending
I must go now
Phone me as soon as possible.
Write back soon and let me know how it goes
(I’m) Looking forward to hearing from you
Please reply quickly
I’ll finish now as I’m running out of space
Bye for now
I’d better get going
Can’t wait to see you again
(Give my) love/regards to
Signing off
Friends: All the best/Best wishes/Bye for now
Relatives: Lots of love/All my love/Love
I am writing to …
I am writing with regard to …
I am writing on behalf of …
Asking questions
I would be grateful if …
I wonder if you could …
Could you …? Could you tell me something about …?
I would particularly like to know …
I would be interested in having more details about …
Complaining
Closing
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Signing off
Yours sincerely, (If you started with 'Dear + surname') or Yours faithfully, (If you started with 'Dear
Sir/Madam')
Knowing what a good reputation the restaurant has, I was disappointed with the service.
The library offers no facilities for borrowing videos; this is because of the high cost involved.
Reason for - I am writing with regard / reference to the - Great / Lovely to hear from you
writing article which appeared (when / where) (after so long).
- I am writing to express my concern about / - It was great to get your letter / Thanks (a lot)
dissatisfaction with / disappointment with / for your letter asking about.../ Thanks for the
disapproval of / apologies for... (motivation) lovely letter that I received yesterday.
- I am writing on behalf of (who) who have had - Sorry for not writing for so long / Sorry I
concerns about... haven't written / haven't been in touch for so
- I am writing in response to your (advertisement long.
in the Times). - Sorry to hear about your...
- I should like to apply for the position of (tourist
guide).
Body Linking Words
2-3 To begin with / Firstly / In the first place / One thing / Another thing (was that...)
paragraphs Secondly / Next / In addition / Moreover / Besides / Also / Apart from this / that / And /
Further more / What is more / In the same way as And then / Besides / Just as
/ Similarly / Lastly / Finally In the end / On top of that
Ending - I trust/very much hope you will (consider our - I must go now / I’d better get going / I’ll
ideas and suggestions) finish now as I’m running out of space
- I would appreciate it / be grateful if you would - Phone me as soon as possible / Write back
- It seems only fair that you should... soon and let me know how it goes
- I look forward to receiving a response from you - Can’t wait to see you again
/ I would be grateful for a reply at your earliest - Bye for now
convenience. - (Give my) love / regards to.../ Remember me
- In light of the above I feel I am entitled to (a to...
full refund and a formal apology )
Signing off Yours faithfully Yours sincerely Yours Best wishes Love
All the best Regards With love
Kind regards Lots of love
All my love
Letter of application
Dear Mr/Ms (surname), Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam,
Experience / Qualifications / CV
Endings
Signing off
Report
Introduction
Reporting results
Most people seem to feel that...
Several people said/told me/suggested/thought that…
Making recommendations
I would therefore recommend that we expand the library/installing a new coffee machine...
It would seem that banning mobile phones is the best idea.
Having considered the options, …
I would like to suggest/recommend …
I therefore suggest/recommend …
You may wish to consider …
Article
Heading / Title
Freezing! (dramatic)
My Lone Walk to the North Pole (a summary)
What’s the big idea? (a question)
You’re already well equipped to prevent crime (surprising)
Opening
General Structure
Give your article a heading or headline which makes the subject clear and also catches the
reader’s attention.
Divide the article into paragraphs to help the reader follow the argument.
Begin with an interesting introduction – an example, perhaps, or a question.
End with an overall comment or concluding.
Essay
Making points
Contrasting points
On the other hand ...
Other people think ...
An opposing argument is ...
Giving opinions
I personally feel that ...
I find it hard to see why ...
I certainly don't believe that ...
It is difficult to believe that ...
I object to the cloning of animals.