1. Skills
  2. Writing
  3. C1 writing
  4. An email to a friend

An email to a friend

An email to a friend

Learn how to write an email to a friend.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Reading text

Hi Rebecca,

How ARE you?! It's been ages!! I thought I'd drop you a line seeing as I'm stuck in the airport with nothing to do but make use of the free Wi-Fi.

Not that writing to you isn't top of my list of things to do, of course ;) but I've been totally snowed under at work, plus all the family stuff that's been going on ... Anyway, I'm just about to go on a much-needed holiday so I really can't complain!

Anyhoo … what have you been up to? I saw Carol a couple of months ago – don't know if you heard what happened with her job but it made me feel grateful I only slightly hate mine – and she was saying your book is going to be published?! GREAT news!!! Send me a link and I'll definitely buy it and leave a five-star review :)

As for me, same old, same old re: job. Maggie and I broke up a while ago, as you know, but we're getting on much better now and it's working out far better for the kids. No-one new on the horizon but I'm off to Canada travelling for a month (if this plane ever leaves!) so who knows?!

Actually, I'll be flying over your house in a few hours. I'll wave! Let's make a plan to see each other when I get back, OK?

Hope life's treating you well!

Lots of love,

Sarah

Tips

  1. It's common to start with a reason for writing and refer to how long it's been since you saw or wrote to each other.
  2. Use phrasal verbs (e.g. going on, been up to) and informal expressions (e.g. drop you a line, same old, same old) to give it a friendly, informal tone.
  3. Use emoticons or multiple exclamation marks (!!!) or question marks (???) to add extra excitement and feeling. You can also use capital letters for emphasis (How ARE you? GREAT news!!).
  4. Before signing off you can finish with closing phrases like Hope all's well! / Looking forward to seeing you! / Best of luck with ... !
  5. Sign off with Lots of love for close friends or family or Take care if you are not so close.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

How do you keep in touch with friends?

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Worksheet77.07 KB
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Language level

C1 Advanced
Average: 3.9 (9 votes)
Profile picture for user OlaIELTS

Submitted by OlaIELTS on Wed, 20/05/2020 - 17:32

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I keep in touch with friends through social media platforms.
Profile picture for user Magedelabd

Submitted by Magedelabd on Thu, 07/05/2020 - 21:25

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I sm keeping on touch with friends through the what is up application we send us a message in the holidays . Actually I don't do more than that because of the time limitations.

Submitted by hrahmani on Tue, 11/02/2020 - 15:41

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Since I bought my smart phone I stopped writing emails to my friends for the informal communications. Since they also have their smart phones with chatting applications, I have been using such tools for getting news about them. I write them a short note and wait to see their responses. Then it depends on the response. It happens that after the response we organise a call to talk more about a particular event or situation. However, often, I receive short responses which mean nothing much to talk about. This is how I have been managing getting in touch with friends in recent years!
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