Useful phrases for writing an email or short messages.

Writing an email: Sample tasks 

You need to borrow a bicycle from your friend Sam. Write an email to Sam. In your email you should:

• ask to borrow his bicycle 
• explain why you need it.
• promise to give it back soon.

Write 35-45 words.

Sample answer: 

Hi Sam, 

Can I borrow your bike tomorrow? I need it because I have to go to my friend's house and there isn't a bus which goes there. I'll need it for four days, no more, so on Friday I'm going to return it. 

Thanks, 

Danny 

Useful phrases to use in your writing: 

Beginning your message:

Dear + name / Hi + name 

Ending your message to a friend:

See you soon / Love / bye for now

Advising

I think we should...

The best thing to do is ....

Apologising

I'm really sorry about the...

I want to tell you how sorry I am about 

I'm sorry I ... 

Giving an opinion

I think ...

In my opinion.. 

Offering

I can ... if you like 

If you want, I could... 

Shall I ...?

Inviting 

Would you like to ....?

Saying yes to an invitation 

I'd love to ....

That would be great. 

Saying no to an invitation 

I'm sorry I can't ...

Requesting 

Could you ....?

Stating a preference

I'd prefer to ...

I'd rather .....

Suggesting

Why don't  you ...?

What /  How about ....ing?

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