Writing a Personal Letter

Hook

A friend helped you move house last month. How do you write a short, warm thank-you letter in English?

Notice

“Dear Anna, I just wanted to write and thank you for helping me move last weekend. It really meant a lot to me, and I couldn’t have done it without you. I hope we can meet for coffee soon. With love, Marta.”

Rule

A short personal letter usually includes: a greeting (Dear + name), a reason for writing (thanking, sharing news, inviting), 2–3 sentences of detail, and a warm closing (With love, Best wishes, Take care) plus your name. This directly matches the official CEFR A2 writing target: “I can write a short, simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.”

Practice

  1. Choose the correct greeting for a personal letter: “Dear Sir” or “Dear Anna.” Answer: Dear Anna
  2. Complete: “I just wanted to ______ you for the lovely gift.” Answer: thank
  3. Choose a warm closing: “Yours faithfully” or “With love.” Answer: With love
  4. Complete: “It really ______ a lot to me.” Answer: meant
  5. Write one sentence thanking someone for their help. Answer: (open)

Connect

Read more personal letters with our Reading Quiz.

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This lesson supports: I can write a short, simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

Azizul Hakim
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