Writing A Letter To A Family Member Who Hurt You

How to Write an Informal Letter

Begin your letter with a short informal phrase.
Write the first sentence, usually addressing the recipient of the letter.
Devote one paragraph to one topic or to one piece of information.
Use informal language to write your letter.
Use abbreviations and appropriate punctuation (e.g. exclamation marks, typical of an informal style)
Finish the letter with an appropriate phrase.
Sign your name

Useful Expressions

Opening Phrase

Dear Peter,

Hi Greg!

Hello Mike!

Introduction

How are you? / How are you doing? I hope you're fine.

It was good to hear from you.

Thank you for your letter.

Thanks for the letter!

I'm sorry I haven't written for ages / for so long.

It was a nice surprise to hear from you / to receive your letter.

Sorry, I've taken so long to write back, but …

I've got so much to tell you.

This is just a quick note to say …

Giving Information

I'm writing to tell you …

I'm writing to say …

I wonder if you remember …

I have heard …

As for my latest news, …

Writing about Your Plans

First, / Secondly, we're going to …

The plan includes …

Making a Request

I'm writing to ask you for your help / advice …

I wonder if I could ask you to / for …

Could you tell me …

I'd be really grateful if you could …

Expressing Gratitude

I'm writing to thank you …

Thank you so much!

It was (so / really) very kind of you to …

Apologizing

I'm writing to tell you how sorry I'm to …/ about …

I'm really sorry that …

It will never happen again.

Sorry for (any) trouble / bothering you (again).

Inviting

I'm writing to invite you to …

I'm having … (a party)

Would you come to …?

I hope you'll be able to join us / to make it.

Closing Phrases

I must be going now.

Well, that's all for now.

I'd better finish now because …

Bye for now

See you

Say hello to …

Give my love to everyone.

Love from … / Love, Viktor

Don't forget to write soon.

Drop me a line.

Have a nice trip

All the best

Write soon

Keep in touch

Give my regards / love to your parents

Regards,

All the best,

(Lots of) Love,

Take care,

Best wishes,

XXX ( = 'kisses')

Sample Exam Task

This is a part of an email you received from your American friend Greg.

I am really looking forward to visiting you on Friday. Is there anything I should remember about? Would you like me to bring anything from the USA? I'm really excited about the visit and I'm really curious about waht things you have planned for the weekend!

Write an email answering your friend's questions.

Hi Greg!

How are you doing? I wonder if you're ready and packed? By the way, I hope you remember about the packet from Aunt Anna – she'd be really mad if you forgot to take it.

Oh, and a friend of mine has just asked if you could bring On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I hope you don't mind.

Well, I'm also getting ready for your stay. Plans for the first day include a quick tour of my town and a party with all my friends. And as for lunch, my mother wants to know whether you prefer fish or chicken. Let me know!

Oh, and another thing! In case you've forgotten where we meet at the airport, it's Terminal A, next to the newspaper stand. If I'm late, you can check what's making headlines in Slovakia!

Have a nich journey,

Viktor

Sample Informal Letter

Dear Daniel,

Thanks a lot for the dictionary you sent me. It's going to be a great help in my exams!

How are you? I hope you're well and that you're looking forward to your holiday. What are your plans for the summer?

As for me, in August I'm going to spend a week at my grandmother's house at Lake Balaton in Hungary. Can't wait to see her, she's my favourite member of the family! And she makes delicious cakes, too. And Gabi, my German friend from the languae course, is comin to visit me before that, in July.

Anyway, the real reason I'm writing is that I had a great idea. You mentioned that you'd never been to Austria, and I was thinking, how would you like to come and visit Vienna next month? I just saw this special deal at a small hotel near the Westbanhof, and if you give me your email address, I can send you the link to their website.

Let me know what think! It would be reat to see you again, and I could show you all the beautiful things in my hometown.

Write soon.

Take care,

Karin