IELTS GT Writing Task 1: 10 ways to make your writing LESS FORMAL

Although it’s very nicely written, it’s WAY TOO FORMAL for writing to someone that you know.

I have a really hard time trying to convince people to write informal letters in the test.

Someone even corrected me, with a version that was even MORE FORMAL than the one I wrote!

‘I beg your pardon but owing to unavoidable circumstances I cannot continue taking exercise at your gym anymore. However, as soon as circumstances permit, I am going to resume the fitness classes’.

Everything about this example is the OPPOSITE of what you should write.

• ‘I beg your pardon’ = A very old-fashioned way of apologising, which has other connotations (used to express one’s anger or indignation at what someone has just said!)
• ‘Owing to unavoidable circumstances’ = examples I found on Ludwig.guru come from the Encylcopedia Britannica:

Often, after a person has served part of his sentence, the remainder is commuted owing to specific circumstances.

And formal notices:

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Black Eyed Peas will be unable to perform at this Saturday’s event, (The New York Times)

And other scientific journals:

Two participants in the schizophrenia group were instructed to discontinue the collection for 1-2 weeks due to unavoidable circumstances.

• ‘I cannot continue’ ‘I am going to resume’ = no contractions
• However = formal linking word
• permit/resume = formal word choice 

Please believe me. It doesn’t matter if your gym instructor is strict or serious, you still KNOW them (I guess you know their first name).

Why don’t you try it yourself?

Here is how I would write a letter to my gym instructor:

Hi Claudia

This is Fiona from your Zumba class (the one at the back, who has to sit down sometimes!). Just a quick note to let you know that I’ll have to miss a few classes in December but will be back in Jan.

I’ve really enjoyed coming to your classes every week – it gets me out of the house in the winter and I love the way you just let us do as much as we want without putting pressure on us to get all the complicated moves right. There’s a lovely atmosphere in the class and I’ve been feeling much fitter and healthier since I started going regularly.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to come for the rest of the term though – my son’s swimming classes have changed and now they clash with the Zumba timetable. It’s a 30-minute drive, so I won’t make it in time for 7.

Luckily it’s only for December, and I’ll definitely be back in January with some New Year Resolutions!

Hope you have a great Christmas,

See you soon

Fiona

179 words

This letter uses my 10 tips for writing Informal, friendly letters:

• Say ‘Hi!‘

• You‘ll sound more natural if you use contractions.

• No worries if you want to use slang.

• You know you can ask questions, don’t you?

• Exclamation marks are fine too!

• Don’t forget to use some commands.

• How about making a few suggestions?

• The utilisation of overly-formal utterances is to be avoided (Try not to use posh words!)

• That’s all for now (there’s no need to write every word in sentences like this)

• Bye, Lots of love, All the best!