Question

Write the format for an informal e-mail .

Answer 1

n or Greeting

Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person's name). Dear Ben,  or  Hi Ben, 
(Don't forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear Mr John, which is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)

Informal letters sometimes have a comma after the person's name, and the letter starts on the line below. The important thing is to be consistent with the style that you choose to use (so if you use a comma after the person's name at the start of the letter, use a comma after the closing statement at the end).

Body

Openings

When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It is often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the original letter too. You can also make a comment on your own reply.

Useful phrases for the opening

How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.

Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter / postcard.

It was good / nice / great to hear from you again.

I was so surprised to hear that...

I’m sorry I haven’t written / haven't been in touch for such a long time.

It’s ages since I’ve heard from you. I hope you're well / you and your family are well.

How are things? / How are you? / How’s it going?

Other useful phrases

Referring to news

Great news about … Glad to hear that … Sorry to hear about …

Giving news

Listen, did I tell you about …? You’ll never believe what …

Oh, and another thing … This is just to let you know that …

I thought you might be interested to hear about / know that …

By the way, have you heard about / did you know that …?

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.

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 very 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 …

Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck