phrases for informal letters

 

   

Useful Phrases for Informal Letters

Paragraph 1

Lovely to hear from you. / It was great to hear from you. / Thanks for getting in touch. / I was so surprised to hear that... /How’re things going? / How’s it going? / What’re you up to nowadays?It’s been ages since we last seen each other. / It’s ages since I’ve heard from you. /I hope all’s well. / I hope you (and your family) are well.I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for such a long time. / I’m sorry I didn’t write to you earlier.I hope this letter finds you well. 

Main body

Listen, did I tell you about...? / You’ll never believe what... / Guess what! /Oh, and another thing... / This is just to let you know that... / I thought you might beinterested to hear about/to know about... / By the way, have you heard about / did you know that...

Referring to news 

Great news about... / Glad to hear that... / Sorry to hear that... / I was sorry to learn from your letter that...   

Apologies

 I'm writing to apologise for... but I’m afraid ... / I’m really sorry that. 

Invitation 

I’m/We’re having a party on Saturday 4th and I/we hope you’ll be able to come. Would you like to come/go to see ... with me at the weekend?We would like you to join us...I was wondering if you’d like to come on holiday / to go to the cinema with us? 

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

 I’m writing to thank you for your hospitality / the wonderful present.It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.I really appreciated all your help / advice.  

Congratulations 

Congratulations on passing your exams / your excellent exam results!I wish you good luck / Good luck in / with your exams / your driving test / your interview 

Good luck

 Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do well / pass.Do be on time, won’t you, and don’t forget to .. 

Making suggestions and recommendations 

Why don’t you ...? / Maybe you could ...? / How about... / Why not... / You should... / It would be a good idea to/if... / Have you thought/considered... / If I were you, I’d... / I think the best thing would be to/if... / The best advice I can give you is to.. 

Final paragraph

Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! / I guess it's time I got on with that studying I've been avoiding for so long.

Give my love/regards to... / Do give my love and regards to... / Say hello to...Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I'll try and phone you at the weekend to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon.

 /I can't wait to hear from you. / Looking forward to seeing you again. / Looking forward to hearing from you. / Hope to hear from you soon. / Why don’t you drop me a line and let me know...? / See you soon. / Write soon

Signing of

 Love, / Lots of love, / All the best, / Take care, / Best wishes, / Kind regards, / All my love, / All the best, / Much love, / See you soon, / With love and best wishes,/ With love to you all