Semi-formal Letter
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 06:08
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 54397
Semi-formal Letter:
You write a semi-formal letter to someone you personally know and have met before. But, this person is not close to you, and you address him/her with their surname/second name. The tone and expressions of a semi-formal letter should be slightly less formal than a formal letter but not too casual. You write such a semi-formal letter to a neighbour, your landlord/landlady, your office manager, a colleague or a professor at the university. In such a situation, you know this person's name (at least surname name), so you address the person as 'Dear Mr/ Mrs/ Ms/ Miss (the second name/ surname of the person).
Some common situations when you write a semi-formal letter:
1. A letter to a neighbour.
2. A letter to your office manager or boss.
3. A letter to your landlord/landlady.
4. A letter to a colleague in the office who is not your friend.
5. A letter to the professor at your college/university/institute.
6. A letter to one of your family members or relatives.
A semi-formal letter is written to someone you know but are not very close to, such as a landlord, employer, colleague, teacher, or distant relative. The tone should be polite and professional while maintaining a friendly approach.
Structure of a Semi-Formal Letter:
1. Salutation:
Use "Dear Mr. [Last Name]" or "Dear Ms. [Last Name]". Unlike formal letters, avoid using "Dear Sir or Madam," because you know the recipient's name.
2. Opening Paragraph:
Begin by clearly stating the purpose of your letter. The introduction should be respectful but not overly formal.
3. Main Body:
Provide details related to your request, inquiry, or concern. The tone should be warm and courteous, but avoid being too casual. Use polite language and avoid slang or overly formal phrases.
4. Closing Paragraph:
Conclude the letter by summarising your request, offering thanks, or suggesting further action.
5. Sign-off:
Use "Yours sincerely,", followed by your full name.
By following this format, you can ensure that your semi-formal letter is appropriate, respectful, and effective.
Sample Semi-formal Letters with answers:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 1:
Your neighbours have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your houseflat. Write a letter to your neighbours.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 2:
You recently took a part-time job working for a local company. After a few weeks, you realised there were some problems with the job. Write a letter to the manager of the company.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 3:
For the past year, you have been a member of a local club. Now you want to discontinue your membership. Write a letter to the club secretary.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 4:
You are employed full-time and also doing a part-time evening course. You are not able to continue the course. Write a letter to the course lecturer.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 5:
You are going to visit New Zealand for an 'English and Homestay' program. You have just received details of your homestay host family. Write your first letter to the family.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 6:
You borrowed some books from your school or college library. Unfortunately, you have to go away to visit a sick relative and cannot return the books in time. Write a letter to the library.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 7:
You find that your study load is too heavy and you would like to withdraw from two courses. Write a letter to your college teacher.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 8:
You live in a flat and you have a tenancy agreement which states that you must give three months' notice when you wish to leave. You have paid a deposit of two months' rent. Now a member of your family has a problem and you need to give up your flat and return home as soon as possible. Write a letter to your landlord /landlady.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
IELTS Semi-formal Letter # 9:
You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference.
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 6:
You are a student at an English language school in Brighton and are living in private accommodation with other flatmates. You have not had hot water or heating for some time. The landlord's workmen have tried to fix the problem but without success.
Write a letter to the landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 7:
You are going to visit New Zealand for an 'English and Homestay' program. You have just received details of your homestay host family.
Write your first letter to the family.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 8:
You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbour moved in and has been making a lot of noise, which disturbs you.
Write a letter to the landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 9:
You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbour.
Write a letter to your neighbour.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 10:
You and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English-speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.
Write a letter to the landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 11:
Your neighbours have a dog that is noisy at night. You can’t sleep due to this.
Write a letter to your neighbours.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 12:
You have been doing some voluntary work to help your local community. However, now you are unable to continue doing this work.
Write a letter to the manager of the organisation where you have been working.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 13:
Your university lecturer gave you an assignment. You won’t be able to submit your assignment on time.
Write to your lecturer asking for an extension.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 14:
You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event.
Write a letter to your supervisor.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 15:
Your mentor recommended you to learn a new language and gave you contact details of a teacher. Following his advice, you need to write a letter to the teacher.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 16:
A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won’t be home until the evening.
Write a letter to your relative.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 17:
Your former homestay family is coming to see you in your home country and stay from January 31st to February 10th.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 18:
You are due to move into a rented apartment next month but you will not be able to because you have some problems.
Write a letter to the landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 19:
You are having a graduation party next Saturday night. You have invited 50 people to celebrate at an outdoor barbecue evening, which may continue till late night.
Write a letter to your elderly neighbour.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 20:
You are not happy with the course you are doing at college and would like to change to a different course.
Write a letter to the Head of Department to change your course.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 22:
You are doing a three-months' course at a training institute. You have recently been offered a full-time job at a company and you can not continue the course.
Write a letter to the course instructor.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 23:
Your new neighbours have recently invited you to a party they are holding next Saturday. However, you have other plans on Saturday evening and cannot attend the party.
Write a letter to your neighbours.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 24:
You live in rented accommodation which was recently damaged due to the bad weather.
Write a letter to your neighbours.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 25:
You have an extended family and every year you all get together to go on a family trip for a week. Your uncle is in charge of the plans this year and you would like to suggest a place you have visited lately.
Write a letter to your uncle.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 26:
During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.
Write a letter to this businessman.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 27:
There have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.
Write a letter to your manager.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 28:
You have been living in an apartment for the last three years. A few problems have emerged in your apartment since the last repair.
Write a letter to your landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 29:
You paid a refundable deposit when you rented an apartment a year ago. You left the apartment last month in good condition but the landlord won't return your deposit.
Write a letter to the landlord.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 30:
You exercise regularly and have been a member of many different gyms. Recently, you moved into a new neighbourhood and joined a new gym. You have noticed that people at this gym do not bother to wipe down the machines after use and often leave dirty towels on the benches in the change rooms.
Write to the gym manager.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Semi-formal Letter Sample with Answer # 31:
You live in a high-rise building, which has a communal laundry room. Sometimes people don't come in time to empty the machines and other residents have to wait for a washer or dryer. You think the building management should purchase 10 extra laundry baskets and make them available for such times, so the machines can be freed up.
Write to the Property Manager, Mr Watson
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
Read Answer to this Semi-formal Letter:
Report