Writing Task 1 (GT): How To Open and Close Formal, Semi-formal and Informal Letters

Let’s look at some of the best ways to open and close your letters in the IELTS General Test writing task 1, beginning with formal letters, then semi-formal letters and finally, informal letters. We’ll look at the salutations you need at the very start, then opening lines for your first paragraph, and then ways to sign off at the end of the letter.

Formal Letters

1. Salutations

The salutation you use mainly depends on whether you know the name of the person you are writing to.

• Dear Sir or Madam, (if you do not know the name of the recipient)

• Dear Mr Smith, (if you know the name of the recipient)

• Dear Editor, (if you know the official title of the recipient)

2. Opening Line

“I am writing with regards to…”

This works well in almost all formal letter situations such as:

• Requesting information from a government agency about a particular service or programme.

• Making a complaint to a government agency or business.

• Requesting information from a university or academic institution.

• Resigning from a job.

• Writing a cover letter for a job application.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Dear Sir or Madam,

• I am writing with regards to a serious problem in my neighbourhood.

• I am writing with regards to an issue I encountered when using your website.

• I am writing with regards to your summer language programme for foreign students.

• I am writing with regards to my position as Product Manager.

• I am writing with regards to the vacancy in your accounts department.

3. Signing off

The way you sign off a formal letter again depends if you have been given the name of the person you are writing to. 

• Your sincerely, (if you know the name of the person you’re writing to)

• Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to)

Semi-formal Letters

1. Salutations

IELTS semi-formal letters are typically written to someone who you know professionally, such as a manager or a colleague, or when complaining or apologising to an acquaintance (someone you know but not very well). This means that you will always be able to use a real name. 

You can provide a name of your own creation, for example:

• Dear Mr Smith,

• Dear Mrs Rogers,

• Dear Miss Hemsworth,

It is also possible to use first names:

• Dear John,

• Dear Sarah,

2. Opening Line

For semi-formal letters, opening with “with regards to” is too formal. It’s better to use a relevant verb.

• I am writing to + verb

The verb you use in this opening sentence depends on the situation. Let’s look at some examples of semi-formal letter situations and then create the opening lines for them.

• Complaining to a neighbour, landlord or acquaintance about a problem.

• Apologising to a neighbour, colleague etc.

• Requesting information from a teacher, colleague or business partner.

• Inviting a business partner or colleague to a meeting.

• Writing a letter to a colleague or manager.

Examples:

• I am writing to ask you to reduce the amount of noise your family makes late at night.

• I am writing to apologise for the damage my son caused to your fence.

• I am writing to request more information about the upcoming language courses.

• I am writing to invite you to our upcoming sales and marketing workshop.

• I am writing to outline my ideas for the redesign of the employee lunch room..

3. Signing Off

Any one of the following is appropriate for a semi-formal letter: 

• Kind regards,

• Best regards,

• Regards,

Informal Letters

1. Salutations

An informal letter will be to a friend or relative, so you should use first names. If the letter is to an older generation of relative such as one of your parents, aunties, uncles or grandparents, you could also begin the letter with their title in the family (beginning with a capital letter).

• Dear Chris,

• Dear Sally,

• Dear Dad,

• Dear Grandmother,

2. Opening Lines

A great way to begin an informal letter is with:

• Hope you are doing well. (Very informal - for a close friend)

• I hope you and your family are well. (Slightly more formal. Notice the addition of ‘I’ before hope. This is appropriate for a friend or relative who you are not very close with)

Sometimes the task rubric will mention that your friend already sent you a letter, in which case you could begin:

• It was great to hear from you.

Or you could refer more specifically to something your friend said in the letter, for example:

• I was very excited to hear that you are going to visit my hometown.

3. Signing Off

For friends you can sign off:

• Best wishes, (this is good for friends who are not very close)

• All the best, (this is more informal and good for close friends)

If you say in your letter that you are going to meet your friend, you could sign off:

• See you soon,

For family you could sign off:

• Lots of love, (this is more informal and good for most relatives, especially close relatives)

• With love, (this is slightly more formal but still appropriate for relatives, especially more distant ones)

Hopefully that helps you with some ideas on how to begin and finish your formal, semi-formal and informal IELTS letters. Best of luck!