# IELTS semi-formal letters

A semi-formal letter goes to someone you know by name but have a formal relationship with, such as a landlord, a manager, a child's teacher or a neighbour. The tone is polite and respectful but warmer and more personal than a formal letter, and the odd contraction is acceptable.

## Structure

1. **Opening (salutation)**: Greet the reader by title and surname, exactly as the prompt shows, followed by a comma. Openers: Dear Mr Harris, / Dear Ms Patel, / Dear Mrs Collins,

2. **Purpose**: A friendly but direct sentence that tells the reader what the letter is about. Openers: I am writing about... / I am writing to let you know that... / I am writing to ask whether I could...

3. **Bullet 1**: A paragraph for the first bullet: what has happened or what you need, with the key facts. Openers: As you may know, ... / The problem started on... / The reason is that...

4. **Bullet 2**: A paragraph for the second bullet that shows the reader the effect or your situation, with a personal detail or two. Openers: This has made it difficult to... / I realise that... / I am also a little concerned that...

5. **Bullet 3**: The request, plan or offer, phrased politely and with practical detail such as times or arrangements. Openers: I would be grateful if you could... / Would it be possible to...? / To make sure this does not happen again, I will...

6. **Closing request/remark**: A short, courteous line that keeps the relationship good and invites a reply. Openers: Thank you for your understanding. / Please let me know if this would be convenient. / I look forward to hearing from you.

7. **Sign-off**: "Yours sincerely," or "Kind regards," after a named greeting, then your full name on the next line. Openers: Yours sincerely, / Kind regards,

## Useful phrases

### Complaining

- I am afraid there is a problem with...
- I wanted to let you know that... is still not working.
- This has been causing us some difficulty, because...
- I would appreciate it if this could be sorted out soon.

### Requesting

- Would it be possible to...?
- I would be very grateful if you could...
- Could you let me know whether...?
- I wonder if you could...

### Apologising

- I am writing to apologise for...
- I am genuinely sorry for...
- I realise this must have been very annoying.
- I should have let you know beforehand.

### Inviting

- I would like to invite you to...
- Would you be free to join us for...?
- It would be lovely if you could come.
- Please let me know if this would suit you.

### Thanking

- Thank you very much for...
- I really appreciate your help with...
- I am very grateful for...
- Thank you for being so understanding.

### Explaining

- The reason is that...
- As you may know, ...
- Unfortunately, ...
- This is because...

## Mistakes

- **Mixing registers: sounding cold ("I demand", "I hereby inform you") or too casual ("Hi Dave, hope you're good!").** Write as you would speak to them face to face: polite, warm and clear.

- **Missing a bullet, often the one about your feelings or the effect on you.** Plan one paragraph per bullet and check each paragraph answers its bullet directly.

- **Writing under 150 words, so the request has no supporting detail.** Aim for about 160-190 words and add a practical detail to each bullet: a date, a time or a small example.

- **Ending a named letter with "Yours faithfully", or with "Love" or "Cheers".** After "Dear Mr Harris," use "Yours sincerely," or "Kind regards,", then your full name.

- **Changing the greeting the prompt gives, for example writing "Dear Andrew," when the prompt says "Dear Mr Harris,".** Copy the greeting exactly as the prompt shows it; the title and surname tell you the relationship is formal.

## Sample letters

- [Letter to a landlord about broken heating](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-to-landlord-about-broken-heating)

- [Letter to a manager asking for time off](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-to-manager-asking-for-time-off)

- [Letter apologising to a neighbour for noise](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-to-neighbour-apologising-for-noise)

- [Letter explaining a child's school absence](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-to-teacher-explaining-childs-absence)