for the B1 Cambridge test (PET) or the General Training IELTS test
Informal emails are the ones that people write to their friends, family members or people they know well. The language used in this type of emails is more casual and similar to the way that we speak.
| informal email | formal email |
| friends family members people we know well | people we don’t know bosses or managers doctors, teachers and professors |
Informal emails have a standard format, so they must include the following parts:
1. Greetings: We say hi! to the other person.
2. Opening paragraph: we react to the news that the other person has shared or we apologize and explain why we didn’t reply earlier.
3. Main paragraph 1: Here you answer the main question or request
4. Main paragraph 2: If there is more information or a different idea to deal with, you can write it in this paragraph (you can add more paragraphs if needed)
5. Closing paragraph: In this paragraph you start the farewell by sending good wishes to the other person and asking them to reply soon
6. Goodbye: We say goodbye! to the other person
7. Signature: write down your name/ nickname
Now that you know which parts should be included in an informal email reply, let’s see an example:
This is a part of an email you received from your Canadian friend Sandy.
When are you arriving in Toronto? If you send me your flight number and arrival time, I can meet you in the arrivals area.
Is there anything special you would like to do or see in Canada?
Now write an email to her.
Below you can find a list of formulaic expressions and connectors that you can include to replace the phrases in red in the example.
Useful language:
formulaic expressions for informal emails
Greetings
- Hi [name],
- Dear [name],
- Hey [name]
- Hey!
Opening expressions
- I hope things in (city) are going well.
- How is it going?
- Thanks for your email.
- Thanks a lot for writing.
- It was great to hear from you.
- It was good to receive your email.
- Sorry for not writing earlier.
- Sorry that I haven’t been in touch for a while.
- I hope you are well.
Responding to news
- Sorry to hear about … (sad news)
- I’m really sorry to hear you news. (sad news)
- Glad to hear that … (happy news)
- It’s great to hear that … (happy news)
- Good luck with … (a new project/ a trip/ a new class/ a new job…)
- Hope you get better soon.
Stating the purpose of your email
- I’m writing to let you know…
- I’m writing to tell you about…
- I’m writing to invite you to ….
- I was wondering if you would like to …
- I’d be really nice if you could …
- Regarding your question …
Closing expressions
- Anyway. Gotta go.
- Well, that’s all for now.
- Well, it’s time to go.
- Anyway/Well. It’s time to say goodbye.
- Hope to hear from you soon.
- Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
- I really hope to hear from you soon.
- Make sure you write back soon.
- Give my regards/ love to … (person).
- Drop me a line.
Goodbye
- Take care,
- Best wishes,
- Have a good day/ weekend,
- Lots of love,
- See you soon,
- Regards,
- Sincerely,
- Best,
- Best wishes,
Useful language: connectors
to add ideas
- As well as that…
- Also…
- As for + noun
to contrast ideas
- However, … + SVO
- Although …+ SVO
- In spite of … + gerund/ noun
- Instead of … + gerund/ noun
Pro tips for writing informal emails
- Use the standard format that English speakers use to write informal emails.
- Use formulaic expressions.
- Use contractions (I’m, I’ve, I’d, don’t, can’t, won’t, etc.).
- Use informal words and expressions.
- Don’t forget to ANSWER the questions that your friend has asked you.
Time to practice
The best way to improve your writing is to practice. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Remember that practice makes progress.
Now it’s your turn to write an informal email.
| You have just received an email from a friend you have not spoken to in a long while. Write a two or three-paragraph response to your friend explaining to your friend that you have started an English course. Share your experience learning English and your future goals with your friend. |
Type your answer in the reply section and I will give you personalized feedback.
Teacher Julieta 
Hi Rafael,
It was great to receive your email.
How is it going in Sidney? Did you get the job at the company of your dreams? Sorry for not remembering its name. However, I remember that you were very nervous about the interview two years ago when you sent me your last email, is that right? I hope you’re working and you’re well.
I’m very tired but I’m ok! I’m studying English five days a week for about six hours every day! I’m planning to apply to a college in Canada. I want to get a post-graduate diploma in Business next year. I’ve chosen Canada because my daughter wants to study and live there. Also, my nieces live there. Do you remember them? They were children when you met them.
I’d be really happy if we could meet on your next vacation! Are you planning to visit your family here in Brazil?
Please, let me know your plans, okay? I look forward to meeting you soon.
Well, that’s all for now.
Please give my love to Susie.
Take care,
Janine
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Thanks for sharing your email with us Janine 🙂 Well done! Please compare your first draft with the final one.
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To: Alex (alex2020@gmail.com)
Subject: Great News
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your email and sorry for not writing earlier. I hope you are well.
How is your family?. Your children must be really big now!
I’m happy to hear about your new job. You are very good at informatic and this work will be perfect for you. Tell me, when will you start?
I can tell you that my family is very well. My children are now at school and Oscar works hard so we can go to Canada next year. In my case, I started with English classes two months ago. Speaking English is difficult for me yet but I try to do better every day.
We are planning to go to the USA next month. I hope we can see you in California. We could go to UNIVERSAL Studios with the children and then have dinner at the Hard Rock like the old times.
Well, that’s all for now. Give my regards to Marlenne.
Take care and see you soon.
Magda
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Well done Magda! Please compare your first draft with the final version. 🙂
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Hi dear Grace,
It was great to hear from you. I was with your mother last month at church and I told her that my father and my aunt died last year. It was a very difficult year for us. I was pregnant again and lost the baby. At the end of the year, I separated from my husband. But this is the best news. I´m fine and happy now. I got married again.
Now Leo has been living in Montreal/Canada since last December 2 because he is doing a graduate degree there, but Sophia is here with us. My mom and I were very sad about daddy´s early death. To make things worse Sophia was also very bad with her grandfather´s death, you know how attached Sophia and her grandparents were because my parents always lived with us. Now we are going to therapy and everything is OK.
You need to know my new husband. You will love him. And the great and best news is that we´ll see you soon. We’re planning to live in Toronto next year. I´ll do a College in health services administration and for it nowadays I´m doing an on-line English course. In fact, I started last week and I love it.
Now tell me a little about you. How are Lis and Levi? Now Sophia plays a lot with them, doesn’t she?. Your mother told me that you have a little baby boy. So cute. I miss you so much. But now we´ll finally see each other frequently. California is closer to Toronto than Brazil. And maybe we can think about make Sophia´s birthday at Disney!! We can stay in your home, can’t we?
I really hope to hear more from you soon.
Take care,
With love,
Cynthia
P.S: Mommy sends you a big hug and says that she misses you.
;
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Thanks for sharing your email Chynthia. Please compare your first draft with the final version 🙂
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Hi Lana.
How is it going? It’s been a long time since last time we spoke.
Sorry for not writing earlier, but I´ve been taking a new English course.
I´m writing to tell you about this. I began my course last week, and I´m so excited to improve my English. it’s been so cool and I’ve met a lot of people from different counties. This course is happening in Canada.
The name of the school is ILAC, one off the best English schools in Canada. I have classes every day from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in my country because in Canada classes begin at 12:00 pm.
I´ve been studying this course so I can get the points I need to get the letter of acceptance from a Canadian college.
The college that I’ve chosen is Georgian College. I’m planning to take a one- year postgraduate course in Marketing.
Anyway, how are you? What have you been doing?
I look forward to hearing from you.
See you soon.
Nay
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Well done Nayane! Please compare your first draft with the final version. Make sure you use the common closing phrases that English speakers use when they write emails.
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Hi Lucy,
Thanks for your email and sorry for not replying earlier. I hope everything is well.
I’m so glad to hear that your son got an acceptance letter from the local secondary school. I think you can finally relax for a while and enjoy the beautiful city.
I’m still in Shanghai and I’m much busier than before after starting learning English at ILAC on Nov 21. It is an online class from Monday to Friday and the time slot is from 9:30 to 00:30 Beijing Time. I started from high intermediate level (Level 8/9) and already passed the test on Dec 1. Anyway, I have to stay in this level for one more week for leveling up according to the rule which requires the students stay for at least four weeks in one level.
So, next Monday I will be level up to pre-advance (Level 10/11). I am going to choose Pathway course so that I can apply to a Canadian college once I got the PW2.2 certificate, so I won’t need to take IELTS.
Well, it’s time to begin the class for this evening. Give my regards to Caspian and Peter.
Lots of love,
Karen
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Great job Karen!! Please compare your first draft with the final version that was posted here.
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To: sandy@gmail.com
CC:
Subject: My trip to Toronto
Hey Sandy,
It was good to receive your email. I miss you very much. I’ve been busy working since NOV.
I’m happy that we’re going to spend time together this Christmas . Please read this letter .
I’m writing to tell you about my flight number. It is AC8667. I’ll be arriving in Toronto on Dec.24rd at 14:00PM. When I arrival, I’ll send you a message and then I’ll pick up my suitcase.
I‘ve never been to Toronto. Would you mind being my guide? I’ve got some ideas to visit Stanley Park. We can make snowmen also going to skiing. That’s my plan. How does that sound?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes.
Cici
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Well done Cici!! please compare the final version with your first draft.
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Hi Sandy
Thanks for you email, I’m sorry for not writing earlier. Recently I busy to take care of my family, they are infected with COVID-2019.
I am writing this email to let you know, i have started an online English course from ilac that is a Canadian native language school. AS well as that i want share How interesting the study is. I have a good teacher, and the interaction in the class is real fun.
The reason I started the English course that I want to speak frequently like a native English speaker. Maybe I can travel around the world in the future. Do you have some suggest to me.
Well, that’s all for now. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes.
Weian Cheng
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Dear Tina,
I was glad to receive your email.
I hope you are well! How is it going in Montreal? Is it getting colder in winter where you live? It looks like there is more snow every year in Canada. There have been two snowfalls this year. So we should be more careful when we go out walking.
I’m writing to let you know that I’m very busy and a little tired, but I’m ok. I have been studying English five days a week for about two months. This English course is an online class. I’ve met many people from different countries. We do a lot of oral practice in class. We learn about different cultures and habits. That is so amazing.
The reason why I choose to learn English first is that I need to communicate with people and solve problems in life. I hope I could meet you earlier the next year.
Anyway, that’s all for now, give my love to you and our little son.
Best wishes,
Lanlan
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Well done Lanlan!!! please compare your first draft with the final version
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Dear Harry,
It was good to receive your email. Sorry for not writing earlier. I’ve been very busy at work lately because I felt some disappointment when I didn’t pass the first exam.
I’m writing to tell you about my English course. I started my English course in mid-November, and it was difficult for me to continue studying after a ten-year absence from the classroom. I feel very tired when I work during the day and study at night. I don’t have enough time to review and preview new courses. I want to tell you that online English courses are really special. You can talk to people from all over the world in English. It’s helpful to improve your spoken English .After the class the teacher will give us an assignment . This is to reinforce what we have learned in class. I enjoy my classes every day.
Today I am happy to tell you that in the future my job will become easier so that I will have more time to learn English and do more practice. For example, watching American dramas, listening to English songs or reading English novels. I hope I can pass the final test and graduate successfully.
Well. It’s time to say goodbye.
Have a good weekend.
Iris
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Well done Chenchen Lu. Please compare your first draft with the final version.
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To: Feña
From: Barbara
Subject: Call
Hi Feña,
It was great to hear from you. Sorry for not writing earlier.
It’s great to hear that. I’m very happy for you. I hope you can achieve what you set out to do.
Regarding your question, it’s difficult for me in that moment because I have been living in Dublin since November. I like the city. The weather isn’t the best but I’m happy here. I had been a little busy. I’m studying English at school in the afternoon and after school, I have online English classes, but the next week I have holidays in school. If you want, you can call me on Wednesday in the morning. If you can, tell me please.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Give my regards to Camilo.
Take care,
Barbara
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Well done Barbara!!! Please compare your first draft with the final version.
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Hi John,
It was glad to receive your email. Sorry that I haven’t been in touch for a while. I’ve been busy working and studying English. It was great to hear that you invited me to visit your city next year. I’m pleased. I’m going to stay with you and your family.
I started an online English course a few weeks ago. The name of the school is ILAC, one of the best English schools in Canada. My classes are from 9:30pm to 0:30 am in my country because of the time difference between China and Canada. I study English five days a week for 3 hours every day. Although I’m very tired, I’m fine. I’m planning to apply to a college in Canada.
I haven’t seen you for almost three years since the beginning of the COVID-19.These three years have been very difficult for many people. I guess you too. I wonder how your job is. How are things going with you. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon.
Well, it’s time to sleep.
Take care, give my regards to your family.
Wayne
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Well done Peihai!!! Plase compare your first draft with the final version.
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Hello Kathe,
What´s new?
I´m writing to invite you to the graduation party of my children. It is going to be in Medellin in Lili´s Banquet house on December 23th from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am. I am very excited! Soon my children will go to the university, remember that I have twins. Mateo is going to study Software development and Manuela is going to study French. She wants to travel to Paris by the end of next year because my other daughter lives there.
Tell me about your family, two weeks ago I saw your cousin and he told me that you were in New York with your family and I was happy for you. Can you imagine because of the Pandemic I canceled my trip to that place. However, we will organize the trip again. Please tell me what places you recommend to visit there.
I hope you are well, please confirm the address to send your the invitation, make sure you write back soon!.
Take care!
Mónica Caro
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Dear Sandy,
We haven’t seen for a long time, thank you for you email. I’m very happy to hear your news.
I’m sorry to say that my mother was not felling well recently, she’s had cough lately. because of the weather cold. I hope she can recover as soon as possible.
I recently took part in a great language class. English is more important now because after learning English well, I hope I can go to school in Canada.
But it is difficult for me to study it. Remember that many grammar rules is not easy for me. However, sometimes I know many grammar rules, but talking with others is hard.
Now we have teacher Julieta in our language class to lead us in learning English, which is very useful and helpful. I also realize that reading is very important. It can make progress in your talking and listening, and it can also make you get excited, let you have confidence in learning English.
I also learn more things in class, after class I practice more to improve my English. I also hope to communicate with you Sandy more so that you can help me improve my English.
How about you Sandy? If you come here, I will show you around Beijing.
Sincerely,
Luke
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Well done Luke!! Please compare the final version with your first draft.
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thank you, teacher.
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