Writing emails is one of the most practical skills you can develop in English, and knowing the difference between informal and formal styles makes all the difference. Informal emails follow a simple structure that helps you communicate clearly with friends, relatives, or even close colleagues at work.
What is an informal email and when should you use it?
An informal email is used in casual situations where there is no need for strict formality [0:17]. You can send one to a friend, a family member, or sometimes to a coworker — but only when the relationship is close and the topic does not require a formal tone. The key question to ask yourself before writing is: is this person close to me, and does this message need formality? If the answer is no formality needed, go ahead with an informal style.
What is the basic structure of an informal email?
Every informal email has three clear parts [0:47]:
- Beginning: includes your greeting and an opening statement.
- Middle: contains your purpose, such as sharing news or future plans.
- End: features your closing line and your name.
In the beginning, you write a casual greeting like "Hi" followed by the person's name, and then an opening statement such as "How are you?" The middle is where you share the reason for writing — your news, updates, or plans. The end wraps things up with a closing phrase like "Best wishes" and your signature, which can be just your first name since the tone is relaxed [1:15].
How do contractions work in informal emails?
One important feature of informal writing is the use of contractions [1:22]. Words like "It's," "I don't," and "I'm" are perfectly acceptable and even expected. They make your email sound natural and conversational, just like everyday spoken English.
What does a real informal email look like?
The example presented shows an email from Judy to her friend Peter about her experience at Platzi [1:27]. Here is how she structured it:
- Email address and subject line: the subject works as the title of your email.
- Greeting: "Hi, Peter."
- Opening statement: "How are you?"
- Middle section: Judy shared her news and her plans for the future.
- Closing: "I hope I can see you soon, best wishes."
- Signature: just her first name, Judy.
Notice how Judy used contractions throughout: "It's great," "I don't need," "I'm very excited" [1:55]. This keeps the message friendly and easy to read.
What expressions can you use for greetings and closings?
Choosing the right greeting and closing sets the tone for your entire email. Common greetings include "Hi," "Hey," or "Hello" followed by the person's name. For closings, phrases like "Best wishes," "Take care," or "See you soon" work well in informal contexts [2:08].
A great way to practice is to write your own informal email sharing your learning experience and respond to someone else's message. This builds both your writing confidence and your ability to maintain a natural, friendly tone in English.
