# IELTS informal letters

An informal letter goes to a friend or family member you know well, and the prompt greets them by first name. The tone is friendly, relaxed and chatty, with contractions, everyday words and the warmth you would use when talking to them.

## Structure

1. **Opening (salutation)**: Greet your friend by first name, followed by a comma. In the test, copy the greeting the prompt gives, usually "Dear Sam,"; "Hi Sam," is fine in letters outside the test. Openers: Dear Sam, / Hi Sam,

2. **Purpose**: A warm first line or two that greets your friend and leads into the reason for writing. Openers: How are you? I've got some news... / Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while - / I'm writing because I need a favour.

3. **Bullet 1**: A paragraph for the first bullet, told the way you would tell it in conversation, with a vivid detail. Openers: Guess what? ... / So, the thing is, ... / You won't believe what happened...

4. **Bullet 2**: A paragraph for the second bullet that adds personal colour: what you felt, saw or enjoyed. Openers: Anyway, ... / The best bit was... / Oh, and ...

5. **Bullet 3**: Usually a suggestion, invitation or favour, asked in a natural, friendly way. Openers: How about...? / Why don't you...? / Could you possibly...?

6. **Closing request/remark**: A short, warm line that looks forward to seeing or hearing from your friend. Openers: Can't wait to see you! / Let me know what you think. / Write back soon!

7. **Sign-off**: A friendly sign-off, then just your first name on the next line. Openers: Best wishes, / Love, / Take care,

## Useful phrases

### Complaining

- I'm a bit fed up with...
- You won't believe what happened with...
- It's driving me mad, to be honest.
- I'm not very happy about...

### Requesting

- Could you do me a favour?
- Would you mind...?
- I was wondering if you could...
- It'd be brilliant if you could...

### Apologising

- I'm so sorry about...
- I feel terrible that...
- I really should have called you.
- I'd love to make it up to you.

### Inviting

- Why don't you come and stay?
- How about coming over for...?
- Fancy joining us for...?
- I'd love you to come.

### Thanking

- Thanks so much for...
- I just wanted to say a huge thank you for...
- It meant a lot that you...
- I owe you one!

### Explaining

- What happened was...
- The thing is, ...
- Basically, ...
- It turns out that...

## Mistakes

- **Mixing registers: dropping formal phrases such as "I am writing to inform you" or "I would be grateful if you could" into a letter to a friend.** Use the friendly equivalents: "Guess what?", "Could you do me a favour?", "Thanks so much".

- **Missing a bullet because the letter drifts into general news.** Keep the chat, but make sure each paragraph answers one bullet from the prompt.

- **Writing under 150 words because a friendly letter feels short.** Aim for about 160-190 words; add the details a friend would want, such as what, where and why.

- **Ending with "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely".** Use "Best wishes,", "Love," or "Take care," and then just your first name.

- **Confusing relaxed with careless: text abbreviations, slang or emojis such as "u", "gonna" or "lol".** Use contractions and everyday words, but write full words in proper sentences.

## Sample letters

- [Letter inviting a friend to visit your new home](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-inviting-friend-to-visit-new-home)

- [Letter thanking a friend for your stay](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-thanking-friend-for-your-stay)

- [Letter apologising for missing a friend's party](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-apologising-to-friend-for-missing-party)

- [Letter asking a friend to look after your pet](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-asking-friend-to-look-after-pet)