Letters to Friends
- explain the important event
- apologise for the situation
- suggest a new arrangement
Dear Ana,
How are things with you? I’m afraid something has come up here which will probably affect my visit to Canada. Last week I was chosen to play tennis for my regional team in a national tournament. It was completely unexpected. I’m sorry but this probably means that I won’t be able to visit you for the first week of January, as we planned. I must stay here and practise until the tournament begins, later that month.
I wonder if it is possible for me to visit you later in the year. I can take some time off in early March and my air ticket can be changed with no problem. Is March a possibility for you?
Please write and let me know what your reaction is. I’m sure you realise that it’s an honour to be selected to represent your region and so I don’t want to miss this great opportunity. I hope you will understand.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Fernanda
- tell him which team won
- describe the conditions on the day
- say how you felt about the match
Dear Frank,
I was so sorry to hear about your accident! I hope you’re feeling a lot better today and that it’s not too boring in hospital.
The match on Saturday was disappointing. The score was 2 all, probably because you weren’t there to score that extra goal! The awful thing was that we were winning until 10 minutes before the end, when suddenly they scored another goal. I was so shocked when I saw the ball hit the back of the net.
I think the weather was to blame. It was a really wet day and the pitch was very muddy. By the end of the game you could hardly see the grass and we were sliding around in the mud. Everyone was exhausted.
Let us know when you’re going home and we’ll arrange for someone to bring you to watch the next game. The rest of the team send their regards and we all wish you a speedy recovery.
Best wishes,
Charlie
- give details of your study plans
- explain why you want to get a part-time job
- suggest how your friend could help you find a job
Dear Sara,
My departure date for Canada is drawing near, and I am busy with preparations. I have enrolled at an institution called ‘IDT English’ in Ottawa, for a four-month intermediate course, full-time. It is quite expensive but I am hopeful of improving my pronunciation, especially.
To assist in covering the costs of my study, I aim to find a part-time job. Not only are the college fees rather high, but also I know that rental accommodation in the capital city will not be cheap, to say nothing of food and heating expenses! So I would very much like to arrange some temporary employment before I arrive.
I was wondering if you could ask around among your friends and colleagues to see if anyone wants a house-cleaner, gardener, or nanny for their children. I know you have a wide social network in Ottawa which you could canvas for me, if you wouldn’t mind. I’d be so grateful.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Best wishes,
Helen
- offer to find somewhere to stay
- give advice about what to do
- give information about what clothes to bring
Dear Albert,
I’m delighted that you are coming to Singapore next month. I think it would be great if you could stay with me and my family, who send you their best wishes. Otherwise, if you prefer, I can easily book you a cheap but comfortable hotel near the beach so/so that/where you can be more independent.
There are lots of things to do in my city. If I were you, I’d spend some days on the beach relaxing and/before one or two days sightseeing in the city. There are several interesting museums and temples which/that I’m sure you will enjoy. One place you really should visit is an excellent theme park called Sentosa, where you’ll want to spend the whole day. Also, you ought to go to our excellent night safari, which is about an hour away by bus.
You don’t need to bring a lot of clothes as/because/since the weather is normally warm and sunny, and of course, rainy. However, in the evening it’s a bit cooler, so you may need a jersey and a jacket.
Please let me know exactly when you’re coming so/so that I can meet you at the airport. It’ll be great to see you again so we can get up-to-date with all our news!
Love
Monica
- where you went,
- where you stayed,
- what you can do there
- and what the food was like.
Dear Sarah,
Thanks for your letter. I‛m glad you and the family are well. So, you‛re thinking of going on holiday in the UK. Well I can certainly recommend one destination for you. I went one year to a place called Lochinver in the north west of Scotland. It‛s quite a long trip to get there as it‛s only about thirty miles from the north coast but it‛s worth it.
There are only a few places to stay. There are two hotels, the Kirkaig and the Assynt in the centre of town, and a campsite just outside town. We stayed at the Kirkaig Hotel but I know you and your family are keen campers so you might prefer the camping option.
There is a lot to do but it‛s a bit dependent on the weather. There‛s a beautiful beach, a golf course, the fishing is excellent and there are fantastic hills nearby for walking in amazing scenery. If it‛s wet there‛s a small cinema in town but that‛s about all. Take some board games!
The food is typical British in the hotels but some of the Scottish specialities are fantastic. If you‛re camping though, food will be up to you!
Anyway, I have got to go out now and pick up the kids. Write again if you need any more information.
Regards,
Mary
Dear John,
You have asked me for my advice concerning whether you should study history or computer science at university, and I will try to make some useful suggestions.
You must keep in mind that, above all, your university training is a preparation for your future career. Therefore, your first consideration should be to study a subject which will best equip you to earn a living. There is no doubt that the field of computers offers far wider job opportunities than history.
Besides, we are now in the age of the high-technology revolution. For the foreseeable future, not only will it be necessary for everyone to be computer-literate, it will also be necessary for them to be equipped with computer skills merely to earn a living! History, I’m afraid, however fascinating it may be, offers few career prospects.
Of course, you don’t have to devote all your time at university to studying computers and nothing else. On the contrary, I would recommend that you keep your reading of history in your spare time. That way, you will find that your leisure hours are enriched while you prepare yourself for a worthwhile career in computers.
Yours sincerely,
James
- request advice about a gift for his/her family
- ask about activities and clothing
- find out about the food
Dear Robert,
I hope you’re enjoying your college year. Thanks very much for asking me to come and visit you in Singapore. As you know, I haven’t travelled to Asia before, so I though I’d write and ask you a few questions.
I want to bring a present with me and I wondered what would be appropriate. Perhaps you could let me know what your mum’s hobbies are and then I could come up with an idea based on one of them.
Also, what sort of clothes should I bring? I know it’s pretty warm where you live but do I need jumpers or a coat? what sort of activities are we likely to do while I’m there and should I bring things like swimming gear or trainers.
Lastly, I hate to be nuisance but I hope you remember that I’m vegetarian. I do eat fish and eggs but I don’t eat red meat and chicken at all. Is that going to be a problem?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Barnaby
- express concern (i.e. say you are sorry to hear what has happened)
- tell them about a similar experience that you once had
- give some advice or offer help
Dear Anna and Leo,
We were shocked to hear from Lara about the storm that hit your city recently and the damage done to your house. How awful to come home from your holiday to find the roof blown off the house!
I understand how you must feel, as we had a similar experience a few years ago when there was a sudden electrical storm here in Sydney. I came home from work to find that a tree had fallen on top of the house and all the windows were broken. Fortunately the insurance covered the cost of the repairs, but it was still very upsetting.
I suppose you have to think positively in situations like this and look at the opportunity you have to improve your house – give it a new look. If we can do anything for you in the holidays, we’d be happy to help.
Drop us a line and let us know.
Best wishes
Abc
- explain where the place was and how you got there
- describe what you saw
- offer to take your friend there
Dear Sam,
I have just returned from my holidays in France and while we were there we climbed a mountain called ‘Parleman’ in the French Alps. We were able to drive half way up the mountain but then the road stopped. So we parked, put on our walking boots and began the long uphill struggle.
Despite of the road at the beginning, it still took us a while to complete the climb but it was well worth the effort. When we got to the top of the mountain, the view was incredible. I could see right across the town and the lake to one side, and on the other side were the snow-covered peaks of Mont Blanc. It was simply breath-taking.
As you know, we often go to France on our holidays and next time we plan a trip, I’d really like to take you there. I’m sure you would love the scenery and as you enjoy exercise, you would be able to take advantage of all the mountain walks.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Wishes
Abc