How to End an Informal Letter to a Friend? – IELTS Writing Task 1

Introduction 

Are you struggling to find the right words to conclude an informal letter to a friend in your IELTS Writing Task 1? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you the most effective ways to wrap up your letter with a warm and friendly tone. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only strengthen your letter-writing skills for the IELTS Writing Task 1 General exam.

But before we move to the ending, let us kick off at the very beginning, that is, by knowing what an informal letter to revise our letter-writing skills is.

What is an Informal Letter?

An informal letter in IELTS General is a type of letter that you would write to a friend, family member, or someone you know personally. It is a more casual and relaxed type of letter than a formal letter, and you can use contractions, informal language, and personal expressions.

Since it is mostly personalized, the tone of these letters is informal and private. Candidates must activate their casual brain when composing an informal letter. Although many people find it awkward to do this during an exam, it is essential to achieve a higher grade.

Among the three main types of letters asked in IELTS General Writing Task 1, informal letters are one of the most common types. Some common situations given for informal letters are:

• Letter of invitation to a party, dinner or celebration
• Letter of suggestion for ideas, plans or solutions
• Letter of thanks, appreciation or congratulations
• Letter of request (e.g. asking questions, asking for advice, asking for help)

Even though they may seem to be considerably easy, candidates should follow the correct format while practicing for the General Writing section.

Examples of How to End an Informal Letter to a Friend

Ending an informal letter to a friend can be tricky. You want to leave your friend with a positive impression, but you don’t want to sound too formal or too casual.

So, how do you find the perfect balance?

The ending of an informal letter is usually meant to set in motion a plan, asking to reconnect or say goodbye. This completely depends on the purpose of writing the letter to the friend.

Therefore, depending on who he/she is as a person or how well one knows the friend or family member, candidates can choose from a multitude of possibilities when it comes to how to end a letter that they have sent to them.

Now, let us have a look at sets of probable ending salutations.

• All the best
• See you around
• Lots of love
• Always and forever
• Yours truly
• See you soon
• Don’t be a stranger!
• Take care
• Best wishes/Best regards
• Love

Checklist for an IELTS Informal Letter 

Almost all three types of letters – formal, semi-formal and informal – have the same format, which is the Salutation, the Body and the Ending Salutation. But, the main differences lie in the tone, purpose and language use.

So, instead of discussing the format, let’s go through a checklist that will be much easier for candidates to follow.

• Begin with a casual salutation and closing for the letter. 

E.g. – Hi John/My dear Melissa! What’s up? … With lots of love/ Waiting for your reply

• Give direct commands and ask direct questions.

E.g. – Let me know when you are coming…Did you forget me after moving to Australia?

• Use contractions, slangs, and phrasal verbs/idioms.

E.g. – I’d like to meet up soon./That’s all for now.

• Write as if you are talking to the addressee.

E.g. – Can’t wait to meet you!/ Will make further plans when we meet.

• Don’t be formal or too polite.

Wrong: Kindly let me know the activities that are already planned so I can look into my interests accordingly.

Right: Let me know what’s the plan!

Sometimes, the format of the semi-formal and informal letters overlap each other, especially when the letter is written to neighbors or colleagues the person is close to.

Informal letter: Sample 1

Given below are samples for informal letters that will give candidates an idea on how to begin and end an informal letter to a friend.

Question

Sample Answer:

Hi Dev,

It has been a while since I wrote to you and I hope you are doing well. How is your family? As you know, Diwali vacations are coming up soon and I am really looking forward to some time off.

I am planning a trip to the Himalayas to do some trekking and get away from this endless heat – from the 23rd to the 27th of October. I have looked at some flights and accommodation options and it could cost us around twenty thousand rupees if we book now. We can leave early on the 23rd and spend a day in Shimla before hitting the trails. I have narrowed it down to three of the most beautiful guided treks that we can complete during our stay. Depending on the weather conditions, we might be able to scale one of the lower peaks and see some snow. We will only have to shell out for the tickets because Rishab says we can stay at his cabin while we are there.

Do let me know if you’re up for it.

Cheers,

Adil

Informal letter: Sample 2

Question

Sample Answer:

Hi Xavier,

I hope this letter finds you well and in high spirits. It’s been far too long since we spent some quality time together, and I’ve been missing our laughs and conversations.

Life has been hectic, but I think it’s high time we plan a get-together to catch up. I was thinking of arranging a small gathering at my place next month, and I’d love for you to join us. As for the date, how does November 18 sound to you? Please let me know if that works, or if you have any other suggestions, I’m open to adjusting the schedule to accommodate everyone’s availability.

I’m planning to prepare some of your favorite dishes, and of course, we’ll have a good selection of beverages to choose from. If there’s anything specific you’d like to bring or contribute, please feel free to let me know.

Also, if you have any fun ideas or activities in mind for the get-together, do share them. I want this gathering to be memorable and enjoyable for all of us. Please confirm your availability at your earliest convenience, so I can make the necessary arrangements. I’m really looking forward to seeing you and spending some quality time together.

Looking forward to our reunion!

Warm regards,

Michael.

Conclusion

By following this guide on how to end an informal letter to a friend with samples, you can end your informal letter to a friend in a warm, personal, and professional way. When writing an informal letter to a friend, it is important to be yourself and to write in a conversational tone. This will help you make a good impression on the IELTS examiners and get a high score for your writing.

Useful Links:

• IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter Writing Samples and Tips
• How to Write An Informal Letter
• Connectors / Linking Words for Writing – Functions and Tips
• IELTS Letter Writing – Types and Tips