Effective Informal and Formal English Communication Phrases

Posted on Mar 31, 2025 in Administration and Management

Informal Communication Tips

Opening Phrases

  1. Hi [Name],
  2. Thanks for your letter/email. It’s great to hear from you. / Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply.
  3. Sorry, I haven’t written for so long, but… / I can’t believe how long it’s been since we last met. / I haven’t heard from you for ages! / We must catch up.

Checking In & Sharing News

  1. How’s it going? (Cómo estás) / What’s up? (Qué pasa) / How are things with you? (Cómo van las cosas) / How have you been? (Cómo has estado) / What’s new? (Algo nuevo)
  2. All good here. / It’s been a bit hectic here (las cosas están movidas). / I’ve been really busy (he estado muy ocupado). / Guess what! (Adivina qué) I’ve got some great/amazing/sad news.

Closing Phrases

  1. Lots of love to you and your family (mucho amor para…). / Hope everyone’s doing well (esperamos que todo esté bien). / Say ‘hi’ to … for me!
  2. Write soon! / See you soon! / Call me! / Take care (cuídate). / Hugs and kisses.

Informal Structure

  1. Greeting (Use phrase 1)
  2. Respond to their message, explain briefly (Use phrase 2)
  3. Introduce the topic, ask questions, cover main points (Use phrases 3, 4, 5)
  4. Final phrase, conclude the topic (Use phrase 6)
  5. Sign-off (Use phrase 7)

Informal Writing Tips

  • Use contractions (e.g., it’s, haven’t, can’t).
  • Use phrasal verbs, such as: looks like (parecer), get on well with (llevarse bien con), give away (regalar), drive away (echar), take care (tener cuidado), look after (cuidar), look for (buscar).

Formal Communication Tips

Salutations

  1. If the name is unknown: Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms [Surname], or Dear Sir or Madam.
  2. If the name is known: Dear Marta,

Stating Your Purpose

  1. I am writing to enquire about… (le escribo para preguntarle sobre) / apply for… (solicitar) / complain about… (quejarme sobre) which I read about in… (que he leído en) / which was advertised in… (que fue anunciado en) / which I purchased at/from… (que he comprado en).

Making Requests

  1. Could you possibly…? / I would like to know more about… (me gustaría saber más sobre). / Would it be possible to…? (¿Sería posible…?) / I would be grateful if you could… (estaría agradecido si pudieras).

Adding Information

  1. In addition, / Furthermore, / Firstly, / Finally, / Moreover, / First of all, / Secondly.

Attachments & Closing Remarks

  1. I have attached (for email) / enclosed (for letter) a CV / a photo / a sample of work for your reference. (He adjuntado…)
  2. Please contact me if you require any further information. (Por favor, póngase en contacto conmigo si necesita alguna información) / I look forward to hearing from you. (Espero saber de usted) / Thank you in advance for your help. (Gracias por su ayuda).

Formal Structure

  1. Salutation (Use phrase 1)
  2. State the reason for writing (Use phrase 2)
  3. Explain what you would like to happen or request information (Use phrases 3, 4)
  4. Conclude and mention attachments if any (Use phrase 5)
  5. Closing remarks (Use phrase 6)

Useful Linkers

  • Addition: also, as well, too (también), as well as (tanto como)
  • Contrast: although (a pesar de que), but (pero), despite + V-ing (a pesar de), however (sin embargo), in spite of the fact that (a pesar del hecho de que)
  • Cause/Result: as a result (como resultado), because of (porque), due to (debido a), consequently (consecuentemente), therefore (por lo tanto)
  • Purpose: in order to (a fin de que)
  • Sequence: after a while (después de un tiempo), as soon as (tan pronto como), before (antes de)