How to Write an Informal Email: Structure and Examples

How to Write an Informal Email

1. The Greeting

Begin your email or letter with a friendly greeting. Examples include: Hi, Hi there, Hiya, or Dear [Name].

2. Introduction and Responding

Ask about your friend's health, thank them for their previous message, and mention the reason for writing. Useful phrases include:

• Thanks for your letter/email.
• It's great to hear from you!
• Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

3. The Body

Write two or three short paragraphs covering the main subjects of your email.

4. Conclusion and Closing

Include your closing remarks and a sign-off.

• Closing remarks: Lots of love to you and your family, Hope everyone's doing well, Say "hi" to [Name] for me!
• Sign-offs: Bye for now, Write soon, See you soon, Call me, Take care, Love from, Hugs and kisses.

Example Email

(Note: Underlined text is optional/flexible; bold text is essential.)

Hi Stacy,

It's great to hear from you! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. How are things with you? Are you having a good summer? Right now, I'm writing to you from my hotel room here in Korea. The city is fantastic; I'm having an amazing time!

I'm staying at a summer academy here in Korea to learn Korean. I've never learned Korean before, so I'm in the first course with 10-year-old children. Luckily, there are lots of other people who didn't have an idea, so I don't feel too embarrassed!

I'm sharing my hotel room with two other boys and we're getting on like a house on fire. I'm not getting much sleep because I do many things during the day and arrive very tired at the hotel (we can't stop playing video games at night!).

I'm going to send you some pics of the city. I really wish you were here because I know your type, and I assure you that you'd love it!

Stacy, I've got to go because in 30 minutes I have another Korean class, so I have to say goodbye. Lots of love to you and your family and remember to say "hi" to Tom for me please!

See you soon!

Max.

Useful Vocabulary

• Looking for: Buscar
• Keep up to date with: Mantenir al dia
• Look good: Veure's bé
• Afford to: Permetre
• Tight: Ajustat
• Spend: Gastar
• Queue up: Fer cua
• Sold out: Esgotat
• Save money: Estalviar diners
• Bargain: Ganga
• Advertise Brands: Propaganda
• Stuff: Coses