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The IELTS Letter Writing General Writing Task 1 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 |
Phrases for IELTS Formal 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. |
| Formal Phrases for IELTS Letter Writing | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| I am writing to inform you that | Stating purpose formally | I am writing to inform you that your application has been approved. |
| I am writing regarding | Referring to a topic | I am writing regarding the issue with my recent order. |
| I wish to bring to your attention | Highlighting important matter | I wish to bring to your attention the discrepancy in the invoice. |
| I am writing in response to | Referring to previous correspondence | I am writing in response to your job advertisement. |
| I would like to express my concern about | Showing concern formally | I would like to express my concern about the service delay. |
| I am writing to request | Making a request | I am writing to request additional information regarding the course. |
| I am writing to apply for | Application purpose | I am writing to apply for the marketing position at your firm. |
| I am writing to confirm | Confirming details | I am writing to confirm my attendance at the meeting. |
| I would like to address | Referring to a specific issue | I would like to address the problem of delayed shipments. |
| I am writing to express my gratitude for | Showing formal thanks | I am writing to express my gratitude for your assistance. |
| I would be grateful if you could | Polite request | I would be grateful if you could send the documents by Friday. |
| I would appreciate it if you could | Courteous request | I would appreciate it if you could confirm my booking. |
| I kindly request that you | Formal appeal | I kindly request that you review the attached report. |
| Could you please provide | Polite request for information | Could you please provide the latest financial statements? |
| It would be appreciated if you could | Formal request | It would be appreciated if you could approve my leave. |
| May I suggest that | Offering recommendation politely | May I suggest that we reschedule the meeting to Monday? |
| I would like to recommend that | Offering suggestion | I would like to recommend that additional staff be hired. |
| I respectfully request that | Very formal request | I respectfully request that my application be considered urgently. |
| I hope you will consider | Seeking approval politely | I hope you will consider my proposal favorably. |
| It would be helpful if | Requesting assistance | It would be helpful if you could provide a detailed report. |
| I sincerely apologise for | Expressing formal regret | I sincerely apologise for the delay in shipment. |
| I regret to inform you that | Delivering bad news | I regret to inform you that your request cannot be processed. |
| Please accept my apologies for | Apologizing formally | Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused. |
| I am truly sorry for | Expressing regret | I am truly sorry for the misunderstanding regarding your order. |
| I apologise for any inconvenience caused | Formal apology | I apologise for any inconvenience caused by the technical issue. |
| I would like to apologise for | Expressing formal regret | I would like to apologise for the delay in response. |
| We regret any inconvenience this may have caused | Corporate apology | We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your patience. |
| I hope you will forgive | Requesting understanding | I hope you will forgive the delay in sending the documents. |
| I am sorry to report that | Delivering negative news | I am sorry to report that the shipment was delayed. |
| I regret any misunderstanding regarding | Clarifying issues | I regret any misunderstanding regarding the payment terms. |
| I wish to inform you that | Providing information | I wish to inform you that the meeting has been postponed. |
| I would like to clarify | Providing clarification | I would like to clarify the details of our agreement. |
| Please be advised that | Giving formal advice | Please be advised that your request has been approved. |
| I would like to explain | Giving explanation | I would like to explain the reasons for the delay. |
| I would like to highlight | Drawing attention | I would like to highlight the key points of the report. |
| Allow me to provide further details | Explaining further | Allow me to provide further details about the project. |
| It is necessary to point out that | Emphasizing | It is necessary to point out that deadlines are strict. |
| I would like to bring to your attention | Formal alert | I would like to bring to your attention the upcoming changes. |
| I trust this information is helpful | Providing reassurance | I trust this information is helpful for your planning. |
| I hope this clarifies the situation | Summarizing explanation | I hope this clarifies the situation regarding your order. |
| I look forward to your response | Closing expectation | I look forward to your response at the earliest convenience. |
| I await your reply | Expecting answer | I await your reply regarding the confirmation of attendance. |
| Thank you for your consideration | Showing gratitude | Thank you for your consideration of my application. |
| Please do not hesitate to contact me | Offering help | Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further details. |
| I hope to hear from you soon | Closing remark | I hope to hear from you soon regarding this matter. |
| I remain at your disposal for any further information | Offering availability | I remain at your disposal for any further information. |
| I hope for a favourable response | Expecting approval | I hope for a favourable response to my proposal. |
| I look forward to resolving this matter | Concluding solution | I look forward to resolving this matter promptly. |
| I appreciate your attention to this matter | Expressing thanks | I appreciate your attention to this matter and cooperation. |
| Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely | Formal closing | Yours faithfully, John Smith |
Also Read: Common Idioms for IELTS Writing Task 2
Informal Phrases for IELTS Letter Writing
This section provides commonly used informal phrases tailored for IELTS letter writing. These expressions are ideal for letters addressed to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. Each phrase includes its meaning, an example sentence, and guidance on the appropriate letter type.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Hi there | Casual greeting | Hi there, I hope you’re doing well! |
| How’s it going? | Asking about wellbeing | How’s it going? I hope everything’s fine with you. |
| Just wanted to say | Informal opening | Just wanted to say thanks for your help yesterday. |
| Hope you’re doing well | Wishing someone well | Hope you’re doing well and enjoying your weekend. |
| Thanks a lot | Expressing gratitude | Thanks a lot for your quick reply! |
| Thanks for | Informal gratitude | Thanks for sending me the documents. |
| I’m writing to let you know | Casual notice | I’m writing to let you know I’ll be late for the meeting. |
| I just wanted to let you know | Informal update | I just wanted to let you know I’ve received your parcel. |
| Sorry about | Informal apology | Sorry about the confusion yesterday. |
| I’m sorry for | Casual regret | I’m sorry for missing your call earlier. |
| Hope this helps | Offering assistance | Hope this helps you understand the instructions better. |
| Let me know | Asking for reply | Let me know if you can make it to the party. |
| Drop me a line | Casual request for contact | Drop me a line when you’re free this week. |
| Can’t wait to | Expressing excitement | Can’t wait to see you next month! |
| Looking forward to | Expressing anticipation | Looking forward to catching up soon. |
| Give my regards to | Sending greetings | Give my regards to your parents when you see them. |
| Take care | Casual closing | Take care and see you soon! |
| Best wishes | Casual closing | Best wishes on your new job! |
| All the best | Informal good wishes | All the best for your exams! |
| Hope to see you soon | Casual meeting hope | Hope to see you soon at the weekend gathering. |
| By the way | Adding extra info | By the way, did you get my last message? |
| I was wondering if | Tentative request | I was wondering if you could help me with this task. |
| Just checking in | Casual follow-up | Just checking in to see how things are going. |
| Thought I’d let you know | Informal notification | Thought I’d let you know I’ll be visiting next week. |
| Hope everything’s okay | Casual concern | Hope everything’s okay with your new project. |
| It’s been a while | Opening casual letter | It’s been a while since we last spoke! |
| Sorry for the delay | Informal apology | Sorry for the delay in replying to your message. |
| I owe you one | Expressing thanks casually | I owe you one for helping me yesterday! |
| Thanks in advance | Informal thanks | Thanks in advance for your help with this. |
| Just a quick note | Informal intro | Just a quick note to say hello! |
| Can you believe | Casual expression | Can you believe it’s been a year already? |
| Guess what | Introducing news | Guess what? I got the job! |
| Wanted to ask | Informal request | Wanted to ask if you’re free this Friday. |
| Hope you don’t mind | Asking permission casually | Hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced. |
| Thought I’d ask | Informal inquiry | Thought I’d ask if you’re still interested in the trip. |
| Just a heads-up | Giving warning casually | Just a heads-up, the meeting time has changed. |
| Can you send me | Casual request | Can you send me the notes from the class? |
| Thanks anyway | Casual gratitude | Thanks anyway for trying to help. |
| Looking forward to it | Expressing excitement | Looking forward to it—see you soon! |
| Talk to you soon | Casual closing | Talk to you soon and take care! |
| Keep me posted | Asking for updates | Keep me posted about any changes. |
| Just checking | Informal follow-up | Just checking if you received my email. |
| Can’t thank you enough | Informal gratitude | Can’t thank you enough for all your help. |
| Hope all’s good | Casual greeting | Hope all’s good on your side. |
| Just letting you know | Informal info | Just letting you know I’ll be out of town. |
| Thanks for understanding | Informal gratitude | Thanks for understanding the situation. |
| Hope to catch up soon | Casual closing | Hope to catch up soon over coffee. |
| Just thought I’d say | Informal intro | Just thought I’d say thanks for your advice. |
| Can’t wait to hear from you | Informal closing | Can’t wait to hear from you about the plans. |
| Catch you later | Casual goodbye | Catch you later, have a great day! |
Explore: Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay
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.
Phrases play a pivotal role in IELTS Letter Writing. A strong grasp of vocabulary and phrases can significantly improve your score. Here are some essential tips for using phrases effectively:
1. Be Accurate
While a rich vocabulary is helpful, clear and concise communication takes priority. Focus on using accurate and relevant phrases that convey your message within the word limit. Using simple, precise phrases demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Brevity often has the greatest impact in IELTS letters.
2. Understand the Context of the Letter
Before writing, identify the purpose of the letter and the relationship with the recipient. This ensures your phrases are suitable and the tone matches the context.
3. Avoid Using Too Many Phrases
Using a variety of phrases can showcase your vocabulary, but overuse may sound unnatural and confuse the examiner. Stick to phrases that are simple, natural, and easy to understand.
4. Use Phrases That Are Accurate and Relevant
It’s better to use fewer, contextually appropriate phrases than to include complex or fancy expressions that do not fit the purpose of the letter.
5. Use Linking Phrases to Connect Ideas
Linking phrases help your letter flow logically. Examples include: in addition, moreover, however, consequently, and finally.
6. Use Transition Phrases to Signal a Tonal Shift
Transition phrases indicate a change in tone or direction. Examples include: to begin with, in the first place, on the other hand, in conclusion, and to sum up.
Mastering these tips will help you use phrases effectively in IELTS letters. Accurate, relevant, and well-connected phrases make your writing clear, professional, and engaging, increasing your chances of scoring higher in Task Achievement and Lexical Resource.
So that was all about the most common phrases for letter writing in IELTS. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.
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FAQs
Ans. IELTS letter writing includes three types: formal, semi-formal, and informal. Formal letters are typically business-related, complaints, or job applications. Semi-formal letters are addressed to teachers, neighbors, or acquaintances. Informal letters are written to friends or family. Using the appropriate phrases for each type is crucial to achieving a high score.
Ans. Phrases help structure your letter clearly, convey tone accurately, and demonstrate a wide vocabulary range. Using phrases correctly ensures your ideas flow logically and makes your letter sound professional or friendly depending on the context.
Ans. No, using informal phrases in formal letters can make your writing appear unprofessional. Always choose formal phrases like I am writing to, I would be grateful if, or Please find enclosed for business or complaint letters. Informal phrases like Just wanted to let you know” or Can’t wait to see you” are only suitable for personal letters.
Ans. It is recommended to use 4–6 well-chosen phrases in a 150-word letter. Overusing phrases can make your writing seem forced, while underusing them may limit your lexical resource score. Focus on accuracy and relevance rather than quantity.
Ans. To practice these phrases effectively, write sample formal, semi-formal, and informal letters. Use linking and transition phrases for smooth flow. Rewrite letters with varied phrases to build flexibility and seek feedback to ensure tone, accuracy, and appropriateness.
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