How to write an IELTS semi-formal letter
6 min read · Updated 7 October 2026
A semi-formal letter is for someone you know by name but not as a friend: a landlord, your manager, a neighbour, a former teacher, a colleague. It is the tone candidates find hardest, because it sits between the other two: polite and respectful, but personal.
The format
- Greeting: Dear Mr Hughes, / Dear Ms Wanjiru, / Dear Mrs Patel,
- Sign-off: Yours sincerely, or Kind regards, or Best regards,
- Name: your full name.
Use the person's title and surname, not their first name. "Dear Michael" is informal; "Dear Mr Hughes" is semi-formal.
The plan
The same as every letter:
- Purpose, often with a friendly opening first: "I hope you are keeping well. I am writing to ask whether…"
- Bullet 1, with details.
- Bullet 2, with details.
- Bullet 3, often a suggestion or request.
- Closing line: "Thank you for your help." / "I would be happy to discuss this at a convenient time."
How semi-formal sounds
A semi-formal letter can be warmer than a formal one, but still avoids slang and keeps the request polite:
| Too formal | Semi-formal | Too informal |
|---|---|---|
| I wish to inform you that… | I am writing to let you know that… | Just a quick note to say… |
| I would be most grateful if… | I would be grateful if you could… | Can you… |
| I hereby request… | Would it be possible to…? | Any chance you could…? |
| Yours faithfully | Yours sincerely / Kind regards | Cheers |
Some contractions are acceptable in a semi-formal letter to someone you get on well with, but leaving them out is always safe.
A semi-formal complaint, to a neighbour or a landlord, should stay friendly. You will see this person again. Explain the problem, suggest a solution, and end on a positive note: "I am sure we can sort this out."
Model letters
- To a landlord: asking for the heating to be fixed
- To a manager: asking for time off to take a course
- To a neighbour: asking them to reduce building noise
- To a former teacher: asking for a reference
Common mistakes
- "Yours faithfully" after a name. Use "Yours sincerely" or "Kind regards".
- Writing to a landlord as if to a company. Stiff, legal-sounding language reads as cold.
- Writing to a manager as if to a friend. "Hey, can I take next week off?" is too casual.
- A first name in the greeting when the person is not a friend.
Check your letter
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Check your letter
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