Informal vs Formal Email Writing Guide
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ScribdTranslationsInformal vs Formal Email Writing Guide
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ScribdTranslationsWRITINGAPTIS:EMAILINFORMAL./FORMAL.
Characteristics of an informal email
It has a simple structure and concise sentences.
It's shorter than a formal email, as it allows the use of abbreviated forms such as
you're instead of you are.
Use a casual and informal tone
They allow the use of exclamation marks to express emotions.
In addition to using contractions, it allows the use of colloquial verbs and phrasal verbs.
verbs.
It is addressed to a person known by the one writing the email: a friend, a
family member...
An informal email has an opening formula (greeting), a paragraph
introductory, the body (which can consist of several paragraphs), a
párrafo de cierre, una fórmula de cierre (despedida) y la firma.
Characteristics of a formal email
Use a formal tone, as the person you are addressing is a stranger or an
superior.
Include contact information for sender and recipient.
Use an appropriate phrase in the subject of the email. There is none.
trust between the sender and the receiver, which is why we will not treat it as a
friend or family member.
The text is longer than in an informal email.
Do not use popular slang, contractions, jokes, or profanity.
Do not use exclamation marks or colloquial verbs.
It is written in active voice, not passive.
A formal email should not have more than five paragraphs and each one should not
exceed five lines.
A formal email has an opening formula (greeting), a paragraph
introductory, the body (which may be composed of several paragraphs), a
closing paragraph, a closing formula (farewell) and the signature.
INFORMAL EMAIL STRUCTURE.
Greetings
Dear Christan
Hi Christan
Hello Christan
The first paragraph
Sorry that I haven’t been in touch for a while, but I’ve been … (busy, flu,
I regret not having been in touch for a while, but I have been
(busy, sick,...)
Thanks for your email / letter: Thank you for your email / letter
It was great to hear from you.
t)
Sorry for not writing earlier
Glad to hear that you're all well.
How are you?
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch for such a long time.
in contact for a long time.
It's ages since I've heard from you.
Thanks for your email
You won’t believe this, but...
Reason why you write
This is a quick message to say that...
what...
I am writing to tell you that...
I am writing to let you know that...
I would like to let you know that
oI would liketotell/ask you about:Me gustaría decirte/preguntarte sobre
Formulas to introduce the second paragraph
Oh, by the way... for
… example
Hey, did you hear about…? So that...
Hey, did you hear about...? for
One more thing: A thing Oh, so: Then
more... oBecause/ as:porque
As for oFirst/Second/…:Primero/
By the way, tell me about: For
Second/...
Sure, tell me about.... Then/ Finally: After
Utility connectors Finally
And / Also Actually
But: But I want to tell you the truth.
truth
I think In addition / Besides / As
well: Besides
Apart from
How to end an informal email?
Hope you feel better soon
(any of these three verbs is correct in this sentence)
Anyway / Well, that's all for now.
now.
I hope to hear from you soon.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Give / All regards (love) to …
Take care / Best wishes / Regards / Lots of love from…
wishes / Greetings / Lots of love from …
I have to go now
I hope to see you again
Keep in touch
See you soon
Write soon
That's all for now.
Don't forget to put your name at the end.
Useful phrases
I hope you and your family are well.
I hope everything’s going well.
Sorry to hear about… (your exam results, your dismissal at your
I'm sorry to hear about ... (the results of your exam, your dismissal in
your work...
Good luck with your new job
PS: Please send me the photos you promised: PD: Please send me the photos.
what was promised. (PS is equivalent to postscript in English)
I was surprised to hear that...
I am sending some photos
But the best thing is that...
I have attached a photo I took of me with... I have attached a photo of me.
with/ in…
I hope you like it!
STRUCTURE OF A FORMAL EMAIL.
Subject
In a formal email, the subject is important. It should be a clear and concise sentence that
muestre el objetvo del [Link] ejemplo:Sales Meetng; Teacher Job Applicaton;
Complaint about a mobile phone service;…..
Greetings
Dear Sir / Madam:
we continue writing on the next line)
Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs Gonzalez:
we know the name
To whom it may concern
In American English, Mr/Ms/Mrs is followed by a period; unlike in English.
British.
The first paragraph
Here we must first indicate the reason why we are writing. It is very
It is common to start with the expression 'I am writing to...':
I am writing to complain about...
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
express my dissatisfaction with ...
I am writing regarding the intention to...
from ...
I am writing in reference to...
I am writing with regard to...
I am contacting you to...
I am writing in connection with…
I would like to ask you about...
I would appreciate it if you could send me detailed information about…: The
I would appreciate it if you could send me detailed information about ...
Could you send me more information about…?
information about ...?
I am interested in ... and I would like to know ...
I would like to know ...
What to write in a formal email?
Depending on what is asked of us, we must use one vocabulary or another. The positions of emails.
most common forms that may be requested in an official certification exam
son
Express a complaint or claim
Request a job
Request specific information (about a course, a trip,…) or advice
How to end a formal email?
I look forward to hearing from you
you) before the farewell. Other options are
I look forward to a prompt reply
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Thank you for your help.
If you need further assistance do not hesitate to contact me. / If you have any
If you need more help, do not hesitate to contact me.
contact me. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to
contact me.
Thanks in advance
Farewell
Yours faithfully
Yours sincerely
Gonzalez)
Bestwishes: Mis mejores deseos
Kind regards
Finally, write your full name.
Useful phrases
Some useful phrases for writing a formal email are:
I am writing on behalf of Mr. González regarding…
González on ... (if you are writing on behalf of someone else)
I would really appreciate if you could…
We regret to inform you that...
You will find the attached file regarding...
…
This is an urgent matter.
