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IELTS Letter Writing: The General Writing Task 1 (Letter Writing) in the IELTS test assesses your ability to write effective letters in response to various situations. These situations might involve lodging a complaint, requesting information, or explaining a specific circumstance. You’ll have 20 minutes to complete this task, and your answer should be at least 150 words long. Test takers must keep in mind that letter-writing tasks contribute 33% to their overall writing score on the IELTS test, so it’s important to not take the task lightly.
That being said, there are certain phrases that you can incorporate into your answers to make them more coherent, comprehensible and impactful. You must keep abreast of such phrases to come up with better responses. In this article, we have shared a comprehensive list of the most frequently used phrases for IELTS letter writing. Read the complete article to learn more.
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Most Frequently Used Phrases in IELTS Letter Writing
Strong use of phrases plays a vital role in achieving a high score in the IELTS General Writing Task 1 (Letter Writing). Test-takers must have a solid understanding of idioms and phrases to ensure clear and effective communication throughout the writing task. Here are some common and useful phrases you can incorporate into your letters:
| Type of Letter | Greeting/Salutation | Opening | Body | Closing | Signing Off |
| Formal | Dear SIr/Madam Hi Hello | Inform You, Disclose you that, Ask you about | I’m really sorry for that, I’m writing to complain about… I would like to suggest you | Dear Sir/Madam Hi Hello | Yours faithfully Yours obediently |
| Semi-Formal | Hi Mr. (Name) Hello (Name) | Explain my condition, Inform you that Express my experience | I’m really sorry to hear this… The reason behind this incident is… I’m writing to request you… I would like to thank you for… | Hopefully, the issue will be fixed soon. I’m waiting to hear from you… Thank you for your cooperation. | Best wishes All the best |
| Informal | Hi (Name) Hello (Name) Hey (Name) | Hi, how are you? I’m writing this letter to tell you I hope you are doing well. | I’m sorry for what happened… I tell you this would work… I’m suggesting this product… | I hope that you can solve this issue… Waiting for your response… If anything, let me know… | With love Yours lovingly |
7+ Phrases for IELTS Formal Letter Writing
Phrases IELTS Letter Writing: In the IELTS writing exam, you’ll encounter prompts that ask you to write letters to various individuals, organizations, or institutions. The language you use should adapt to the recipient, shifting between formal, semi-formal, and informal styles. Formal letters in IELTS are addressed to individuals you haven’t met personally and require a respectful and professional tone.
You must be well versed with the common phrases for IELTS Formal Letter Writing. These will not only help you add coherence to your writing but will also make it more comprehensible and effective. That being said, here are some of the most common phrases for IELTS formal letter writing.
| Phrase | Example |
| Dear Sir/Madam | Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this letter finds you in the best of your health. |
| I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…. | I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the staff of your diner. |
| I am writing about the advertised position of… | I am writing about the advertised position of content writer in your esteemed organisation. |
| I am writing to inquire about… | I am writing to inquire about any job vacancies in your company. |
| I would like to know that… | I would like to know about the job prospects after completing the course at your institution. |
| I would be interested to know… | I would be interested to know if there’s a job vacancy for a data analyst in your organisation. |
| I would be grateful if you could… | I would be grateful if you could tell me about the fee structure of your course. |
| I would strongly suggest that you consider… | I would strongly suggest that you consider my application for the job. |
| Could you possibly send.. | Could you possibly send me the details about the position and what it entails? |
| I would appreciate your quick action… | I would appreciate your quick action regarding the complaint I lodged against one of your staff in the restaurant. |
| Yours faithfully | I will wait to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely, Shubham. |
| I am writing to express my annoyance with… | I am writing to express my annoyance with the quality of food at your hotel. |
| This is due to… | The findings come as the scheme is due to close this week. |
| I cannot thank you enough… | I cannot thank you enough for your services. |
Top Tips and Tricks to Use Phrases in IELTS Letter Writing
Phrases play a pivotal role in IELTS Letter Writing. In other words, having a good grasp of vocabulary and phrases can bolster your chances of securing better scores in IELTS letter writing. Here are some tips for using phrases in IELTS Letter Writing.
Be Accurate
While a rich vocabulary is always helpful in IELTS letter writing, clear and concise communication takes top priority. Your focus should be on using accurate and relevant phrases that effectively convey your message within the word limit. This means favouring clarity and accuracy over overly complicated phrases or uncommon terms. Mastering the use of fewer, simpler phrases can significantly improve your IELTS score. This demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly and directly. Remember, brevity often reigns supreme when crafting impactful IELTS letters.
Understand the Context of the Letter
Before you start writing, take some time to understand the purpose of the letter and the relationship between you and the recipient. This will help you choose the most appropriate phrases to use.
Avoid Using Too Many Phrases
While using a variety of phrases will demonstrate your vocabulary range, avoid using overly complex phrases that might sound unnatural or be difficult for the examiner to understand. Apart from that, overuse of phrases in IELTS letter writing can also have a negative impact on the overall efficacy of your response.
Use Phrases That Are Accurate and Relevant to the Context
It’s more important to use phrases that are accurate and relevant to the context of your letter than to use complex or fancy phrases.
Use Linking Phrases to Connect Your Ideas
Linking phrases can help you connect your ideas smoothly and logically. Some examples of linking phrases include “in addition,” “moreover,” “however,” “consequently,” and “finally.”
Use Transition Phrases to Insinuate A Tonal Shift
Transition phrases can help you signal a change in tone or direction in your letter. Some examples of transition phrases include “to begin with,” “in the first place,” “on the other hand,” “in conclusion,” and “to sum up.”
So that was all about the most common phrases for letter writing in IELTS. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.
FAQs
Ans. Letters of Amendment, Apology, Requests, Invitation, and Suggestions are some of the major letter-writing topics in IELTS General Writing Task 1.
Ans. “ Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with, I am writing about the advertised position of, I am writing to inquire about, and I would like to know that’ are some of the most common phrases used for IELTS formal letter writing.
Ans. The IELTS General Writing Task 1 (Letter Writing) requires individuals to complete the task within 20 minutes.
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