INFORMAL LETTER

INFORMAL LETTER or EMAIL

GENERAL TIPS
Recuerda abrir y cerrar el texto con las expresiones adecuadas.
Empieza reaccionando a las noticias que tu amigo te ha dado en su carta.
Consigue un tono informal:
Usa contracciones - isn't, I'd, I've, shouldn't
Utiliza phrasal verbs y algún idiom o proverb
Usa conectores más informales
Usa al menos una question tag
Repasa y fíjate bien si has respondido a TODAS las preguntas/información que tu amigo te
solicita en su carta.
No repitas vocabulario, tira de sinónimos.
Usa cool adjectives.
Separa bien los párrafos para que sea agradable de leer y quede ordenado.

STRUCTURE
Opening + React briefly to your friend's news
PARAGRAPH
1 Reacciona muy brevemente y de forma general a la carta de tu amigo.
Puedes también disculparte por haber tardado en contestarle.

PARAGRAPH Answer question 1

2

PARAGRAPH
3
Answer questions 2-3

PARAGRAPH Closing +
4
Signature

@inglesparaperezosos -2-
INFORMAL LETTER

Language Toolbox
OPENING
Hi ________ , Dear _________,
It was a lovely surprise to hear from you!

I was delighted to get your email.

Sorry for taking ages to get back to you but .... + excuse (I had to study hard/ I was on a trip... )
I'm glad to hear that .... + rephrase the idea - I'm glad to hear that you're visiting me soon!
I was sorry to hear that ... + rephrase the idea - I was sorry to hear you're worried about your trip.

ADVICE + SUGGESTIONS
If I were you, I would + infinitive - If I were you, I would rent a car in the city.
Why don't you + infinitive? - Why don't you buy your parents a present for their anniversary?

Whatever you do, make sure you ... - Whatever you do, make sure you take your camera with you.
I would definitely recommend + ing - I'd definitely recommend visiting the Science Museum.
It'd be a wonderful opportunity for you to + infinitive - Joining a gym would be a wonderful
opportunity for you to keep fit and make new friends.
How about + ing? It should be fun! - How about organising a surprise party? It should be fun!

It's a great idea to + infinitive - It's a great idea to listen to podcasts in English.

GIVING YOUR OPINION

I reckon ...
I guess that ...
It seems to me that ...
To tell you the truth, I think that ...

Honestly, I believe that ...

INTRUDUCING A NEW QUESTION / IDEA

In your email / letter you mentioned that ...
You wanted to know about ...

@inglesparaperezosos -3-
INFORMAL LETTER

OFFERING / ASKING FOR HELP

Your idea for .............. sounds amazing and I'd love to help you with it!

Would you like me to help you with .................... ? Let me know!

I hope my ideas are helpful! / I hope this helps!

Can you give me a hand with ......... ? It's a bit hard for me.
I wonder if you could help me with .....

OTHER USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

By the way, - Por cierto,
Thank you for + ing -Thank you for sending me photos of your new house, I loved them!

Unfortunately, I can't make it! - Por desgracia no puedo.

What a pity! - ¡Qué pena!
I wish I could + infinitive but + excuse - I wish I could go to your party but I have to study for my
test.

QUESTION TAGS
You love sports, don't you?
Your parents bought you a new car, didn't they?

Your teachers are pretty strict, aren't they?

The school is near your house, isn't it?

CLOSING
Keep in touch! - Sigamos en contacto
Drop me a line when you have time - Escríbeme cuando tengas tiempo
Hope to hear from you soon!

Looking forward to + ing - Looking forward to seeing you next summer!

Send my love to your parents!
Best wishes,
Bye for now, don't forget to sign
your email/letter!
Marta

@inglesparaperezosos -4-
INFORMAL LETTER

Example 1

You have received this email from your English-speaking friend Clare. Use 140-190 words.

Hi!

I'm going to your city next year to study. Do you think it will be easy to make new friends and

find things to do? Also, should I live in an apartment on my own or find another type of

accommodation?

Thanks,

Clare

Hi Clare,

It was a lovely surprise to get your email. I'm glad to hear that you'll be studying here next

year.

Even though I guess it might seem scary at first, this university offers several activities

such as sports, drama and even a music club. You love singing, don't you? Joining the

choir would be a great opportunity to make friends, give it a go! I'm sure meeting new

people will be a piece of cake for you once the classes start, so don't worry at all!

As for accommodation, I reckon living on your own could be pretty expensive. If I were

you, I would share a flat with other students. Would you like me to ask my friends in case

someone needs a flatmate? I'd also be happy to put you up in my house while you're

looking, my parents would be delighted, so count on it!

Drop me a line if you have time. Looking forward to having you around!

Bye for now,

Marta

@inglesparaperezosos -5-
INFORMAL LETTER

Example 2

You have received this email from your English-speaking friend Jack.

Hi!

I'm working on a school project about your town and I'd like to learn more about the area and

how it has changed in the last ten years. Also, what do locals do in their free time?

Thanks,

Jack.

Hi Jack,

Sorry for taking ages to get back to you but I had to hit the books for my final exams. I'd

love to help you with your project.

My town has changed quite a bit in the last ten years because a huge park was opened

near the centre. Also, some locals set up shop around the new green area so there are

cafés, stores and a gym for people to keep fit. What's more, some of the old houses in the

suburbs were renovated a few years ago and the neighbourhood looks gorgeous now.

As for our free time, we love meeting up in the park and even have picnics there if the

weather is good. However, youngsters usually spend the afternoon window shopping or

just checking their social media on their phones, I guess it's the same everywhere! We

have a small cinema too and it's a great plan to unwind every now and then.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need more information or if you feel like paying us a

visit, it'd be fun!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Marta

@inglesparaperezosos -6-