Writing formal/informal emails Informal emails are sent to people you know very well (e.g. a friend, a family member, etc.) For this reason, they use a friendly tone with informal language and a chatty style. Formal emails are sent to people in an official position or people you do not know well (e.g. a head teacher, a newspaper editor, a local councillor, a personnel manager, etc.) They are written in a formal style with a polite, impersonal tone. Register Informal style Greeting: Dear Andy/Uncle Fred/Dad/Hi Donna/etc. • friendly, relaxed, personal style (It was great to hear from you.) • frequent use of colloquial expressions (I haven't seen you for ages.), idioms (It cost an arm and a leg.), phrasal verbs (set up, turn up, get on), contractions (I've, there's, won't) • omission of pronouns (Heard you were ill.) • simple linking words (and, but, so) Sign off: Love/Yours/Take care/All the best (first name) Formal style Greeting: Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr/Ms + surname • serious impersonal style eg. / would like to extend an invitation to you to ... (instead of: I'd like to invite you to ...) • advanced vocabulary e.g. / am writing to enquire whether... (instead of: / want to ask if...) • no colloquial English e.g. Please inform me of any developments. (instead of: Please let me know what happens.) • frequent use of passive voice e.g. I am honoured to be invited to ... (instead of: Thanks for inviting me to...) • formal linking words/phrases (consequently, therefore, moreover, etc) e.g. I have been charged with organising the event and therefore / would like to extend an invitation to you to attend. Sign off: Yours faithfully, (when you do not know the name of the recipient)/Yours sincerely (when you know the name of the recipient) (your full name) напиши чем отличается формальные и не формальные