Personal Letters

There are many words and phrases that you can use at the beginning of a sentence to sound friendly. Complete the table with the words or phrases from the box below.

Anyway Apparently Basically By the way Frankly In fact Luckily Of course

You heard something, but are not sure:	It seems that	1 ..................................................
Something is true, but surprising:	Actually	2....................................................
Something is obvious or already known:	Obviously	3....................................................
Bad /good fortune:	Unfortunately	4....................................................
Saying what you really think:	To be honest	5....................................................
Going back to a topic:	Well/So	6....................................................
Changing the topic:	Anyway/So	7....................................................
Summarising with the most important point:	Anyway	8....................................................

Complete the email with words or phrases from section A. Several answers may be possible. There is one solution that uses each line in the table above just once.

Hi, I'm just back from India - I had a fantastic time. ..................................., it's probably one of the best holidays I've ever had. Did you get the email I sent from Delhi? I didn't have much time to write because it was late and the owner of the Internet cafe wanted to close up for the night. ...................................., he kept it open for a few more minutes so I could finish emailing. ...................................., as I was saying, I really enjoyed myself. I went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, and I also went to an amazing wildlife reserve called Sariska. ...................................., I did have the usual stomach problems at the beginning of the trip, but nothing too bad. ...................................., have you heard the news about Anoushka? ................................, she's just met a guy she really likes and they're getting married next year! His name is Walter. She's only known him for a month. Sara says she met him at a party last week but he didn't seem very friendly.

..................................., I always thought Anoushka rushed into things too quickly. What do you think? Don't you think she's a bit young to get married? ...................................., it's her decision at the end of the day. That's all for now. Hope to hear from you soon. Bye!

Note:

• The words in the gaps make the email sound friendly. Try reading it without these words - it still makes sense, but it is too direct.

• The words in the gaps can help to make the email easier to follow. They show the structure of the text, how the writer is going to continue.

• The words in the gaps are followed by a comma in writing. This is like pausing in speech.

Read the email below twice. The second time you read it, miss out all the words underlined. What is the difference?

Hi Patti! Thanks for your email. Your new job sounds really great -1 know that you've wanted to work as a graphic designer for ages and ages, and now it's finally happened! Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do really well in the job. Well, what about my news? I arrived in Prague about a month ago. It was quite difficult at first. Of course I couldn't speak the language, and finding a place to live wasn't easy. Then my friend Belen and I found a lovely little flat in the old part of town. It's quite small, but it's full of character and we love it. I'm working as a waitress in a cocktail bar. It's okay -1 don't suppose I'll do it for long, but it's a way to earn some money. Anyway, that's all for now. I hope you're well, and give my regards to your family - especially your mother. She was so kind to me when I came and staved at your house. All the best, Florencia.

Check your answer in the Answer key at the back of the book.

Rewrite the email with the words and phrases from the box to make it more friendly. Some of the words and phrases like really, to be Honest and First can go in several places. You may also need to change the punctuation in places.

First, really a bit hundreds of a few lines all day long to be honest

as you probably know, Oh well, that's life! the next thing is she told me last month

Anyway, that's all for now but writing to you has helped because I'm sure you'll have great fun Things have been a bit difficult recently. but I think it's best for both of us

Stefan, just to let you know that I can't join you next weekend. I'm sorry, but I've already arranged to go to Paris. I'm staying with Bernard in his fiat, and I really need a break. I've broken up with Rosanna. We've been having a lot of arguments recently, and she's going to move to Hamburg. It's a pity. Then, my job. I have a lot of responsibilities in the office and it's quite stressful. We have customers who call and I never get a break. I'm sorry if I sound depressed. Hope to see you soon. All the best, Wilhelm.