IELTS Semi-formal Letters (General Training Task 1)

A semi-formal letter goes to someone you know but are not close friends with, such as a landlord, a colleague, a former teacher, or a neighbour. The tone is polite and respectful, warmer than a formal letter but never casual.

How to structure it

  1. Greeting

    Address the person by name, for example "Dear Mr Smith" or "Dear Ms Jones".

  2. Opening

    State your purpose politely, for example "I am writing regarding...".

  3. Body

    Cover the three bullet points while keeping a respectful, courteous tone.

  4. Closing and sign-off

    End with a courteous line, then sign off "Kind regards" or "Best regards".

Common mistakes that cost marks

  • Slipping into a fully casual tone just because you know the person.
  • Or being coldly formal when a warmer, respectful tone fits the relationship better.
  • Forgetting to address the person by name.
  • Missing one of the three bullet points.

Semi-formal letter practice questions (5)

  • neighbour issue A neighbour has been making a lot of noise late at night, and it is affecting your sleep. Write a letter to your neighbour about the problem. In your letter:
    • explain the problem the noise is causing
    • describe how it is affecting you
    • suggest what your neighbour could do about it
  • accommodation issue There are several problems with the flat you are renting that your landlord has not yet fixed. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
    • describe the problems with the flat
    • explain how they are affecting you
    • say what you would like the landlord to do and when
  • apology You missed an important work meeting that a colleague had organised, and you want to apologise. Write a letter to your colleague. In your letter:
    • apologise for missing the meeting
    • explain why you were unable to attend
    • suggest how you can catch up on what you missed
  • request You are applying for a course or job and would like a former teacher to write you a reference. Write a letter to your former teacher. In your letter:
    • remind the teacher who you are
    • explain what you are applying for
    • say what you would like them to include in the reference
  • thank you You recently stayed with a family while studying or working abroad and want to thank them for their hospitality. Write a letter to the family. In your letter:
    • thank them for having you to stay
    • describe what you enjoyed most about your stay
    • invite them to visit you in the future

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Common questions

How is semi-formal different from formal?

Semi-formal is for people you know by name but are not close to, so you can be a little warmer, address them by name, and sign off with "Kind regards" rather than "Yours faithfully".

Can I use contractions in a semi-formal letter?

It is safest to avoid contractions. Keep the language polite and clear, and let the warmth come from your phrasing rather than casual grammar.