Informal Emails to Friends
A2 · Writing Lab · about 25 minutes
1 · Learn
An informal email sounds like talking. Start with “Hi + name”, share your news in short paragraphs, ask your friend a question or two, and close warmly: “Write back soon!”, “Love”, “Take care”. Contractions (I'm, don't, let's) are not lazy here — they are the correct tone.
Organize by topic, not by time. One paragraph for your news, one for the plan or question. Long unbroken blocks of text are hard to read even for friends.
2 · See an Example
News from Chicago
Subject: Finally in Chicago!
Hi Tom,
We arrived on Tuesday, and I love this city already. Our apartment is small, but it's near a beautiful park. I start my new job on Monday — I'm a little nervous, but excited too.
How are you? How's the new house? Write back and tell me everything!
Miss you,
Emma
3 · Analyze the Example
- Contractions = friendly tone. “I'm”, “it's”, “How's” — in informal email, full forms (“I am”) sound stiff.
- News in one paragraph. Arrival, apartment, new job — all her news together, three quick sentences.
- Questions back. “How are you? How's the new house?” An email is a conversation — always ask something back.
- Warm closing. “Miss you,” fits the relationship. Other options: Take care, Love, Best wishes.
Useful Vocabulary
We arrived on Tuesday.
I'm nervous about the exam.
I love it already!
Please write back soon.
I miss my family.
Useful Expressions
- Hi … ,
- Guess what? …
- How are you? How's …?
- Write back soon!
- Miss you, / Take care, / Love,
Common Mistakes
✗ Dear Tom, I am writing to inform you that I have arrived in Chicago. I am excited. I remain, Emma.
✓ Hi Tom, We arrived in Chicago on Tuesday — I love it already! Miss you, Emma
That stiff, formal style belongs in business email. Friends get contractions, warmth, and short lines.
✗ Hi Tom I arrived Tuesday it is great here the apartment is small but nice I start work Monday how are you
✓ Hi Tom, We arrived on Tuesday. It's great here! The apartment is small but nice. I start work on Monday. How are you?
Even friendly writing needs sentences: capitals, periods, and paragraphs.
✗ How are you? Fine. I am fine too.
✓ How are you? How's the new job going?
Ask real questions and wait for the answers — don't answer for your friend.
4 · Guided Practice
Make it friendly: “I am writing to tell you that I am in Boston now.”
See a model answer
“Guess what? I'm in Boston now!” — contraction + energy.
Write two questions to ask a friend who moved to a new city.
See a model answer
Example: “Do you like your new apartment? Have you met the neighbors yet?”
Choose the right closing for a close friend: (a) Yours faithfully (b) Take care (c) Dear Sir
See a model answer
(b) Take care — warm and informal.
5 · Write — Your Task
✍️ Write an informal email to a friend with your news: where you are or what changed in your life, one detail about it, how you feel, and two questions back to your friend.
Goal: Subject + 2 short paragraphs + closing · Length: 80–110 words
- Use contractions — they set the friendly tone.
- One paragraph for news, one for questions and plans.
- Close warmly and sign your name.
6 · Check — Self-Check
Work through your checklist honestly, then run the Self-Check. It counts words and sentences and spots mechanical points — it does not grade your English. You are the editor.
Read a model answer for the task
Subject: Big news from the lake house
Hi Julia,
We're at the lake house for the whole month! The water is warm, the nights are cool, and Dad is teaching me to fish. I'm not very good yet, but I caught two small ones yesterday.
How's your summer? Are you still working at the café? Come and visit us one weekend — the guest room is yours!
Love,
Sophia
7 · Improve & Rewrite
Weak version — rewrite it in your notebook first, then compare:
Dear Anna, I am writing this email to inform you of my new address. I have moved to a new apartment. It is satisfactory. Please write to me at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, Michael
See an improved version
Subject: My new place!
Hi Anna,
I moved last weekend — my new apartment is sunny, and there's a bakery downstairs (dangerous!). Come and see it soon. How are you?
Take care,
Michael
Quick Quiz
Keep going
📘 Grammar deep-dive: Present Simple: Habits & Facts🌱 Vocabulary Builder: the A2 Technology set🎓 TOEFL Writing: the exam version of this skill← Previous lesson · A2 — all lessons · Next: Invitations and Replies: Saying Yes (and No) Politely →
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