Letter to a friend

Starting the letter

Thanks for your letter. Thank you for your letter.
It was wonderful to hear from you.
I'm sorry I haven't written before, but I've been very busy.

Thank-you letter

I just had to write to thank you for... (the wonderful party on Saturday).
Thanks very much for... (putting me up last week).
It was very kind of you to... (offer me the use of your flat in Paris).

Giving Advice

In your letter you said you weren't sure what to do about...(Jenny).
Well, if I were you, I'd... (talk things over with her face to face).
It will be wiser to...
Let me give you a useful bit of advice.
I consider it prudent for you not to...
I recommend you just relax.

Giving good news

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that...(Jane's expecting a baby in June).
By the way, did you know that...
You'll never guess what happened the other day! (Peter asked me to marry him.)

Giving bad news

I'm sorry to tell you that (I've just lost my job).
Bad news, I'm afraid. (I've to go into hospital next week).

Asking for help

I hope it's not too much to ask, but (could I come and see you next week?)
I wonder if I could ask a favour. Could you (lend me $... till I'm paid at the end of the month?)

Asking for an excuse

I'm writing to say sorry for (what I did last night). I wasn't thinking.
It was very silly of me.
I want to apologise for (ruining your new sofa. I know you said it didn't matter, but it was very clumsy of me to spill my drink all over it.)

In conclusion

Well, that's all for now.
I'll tell you more when I see you next week.
Thanks again (for last weekend).
I'm really (eagerly) looking forward to seeing you again.
See you on (the fifteenth).
Give my regards to (Mary).
My best regards to (Mary).
With my best wishes, yours...
Please pass on my good wishes to...
With love, yours affectionately...
Look after yourself! Take care! Take great care! Take better care of yourself!

Miscellany

I don't remember if I wrote you that...
Come to see us.
I hope my long latter doesn't bore you.
We'd love to hear from you by post or e-mail, if you're plugged in.
Well, over to my life now. It's been a very full year.
I draw much strength from your letter.
I'm happy to say our contacts has led to good friendship.
Your letter is a source of joy for me.
The time we have spent together are treasured moments.

There was trust between us. It was 'chemistry' as the English would say.

It would be wonderful thing to do it together.

I'll tell you what...

It was good to be with you.

To tell you the truth, I was a little bored when...

I expect I'll see you again in December.

What sort of man is your new friend?

Don't worry! Everything will sort itself out.

At the end of the letter

I have a quick final thought.

I don't care a bit; I couldn't care less.

Who cares?

Not that I care.

I am eager to help you.

If you come in June you will see our city at its best.

Thanks a lot for your letter.

I've been a bit slow to respond.

I'm sorry your letter didn't arrive at all.

There is an issue. I want to sort out with you.

I'll write you immediately at return.

So, I reiterate...

I'd like to stay in touch.

I've thought about your letter long and hard.

I hate to feel that I have caused hurt and I am sorry if I've unwillingly done so.

I hope you are well.

I'd very much like to hear from you directly how?