Exercise 1
Arrange the words in the correct order to form a proper English sentence. Each sentence is related to writing a thank-you email in English.
Example: you / thank / helping / for / me
Answer: Thank you for helping me.
How to Write a Thank-You Email in English
A thank-you email is a short, friendly message you send to someone after they do something kind for you. For example, you might write a thank-you email after staying at a friend's house, receiving a gift, going to a party, or getting help with something important.
Thank-you emails are very common in everyday life. They show good manners and make the other person feel happy. In this lesson, you will learn how to write a clear, friendly thank-you email in English using the right layout, linking words, and key phrases.
Essential Writing Rules & Structure
1. Organise Your Email into Clear Paragraphs
A good thank-you email at A2 level has two or three short paragraphs. Each paragraph has one clear purpose:
- Paragraph 1: Greet the person and say thank you straight away.
- Paragraph 2: Give details — what you are thanking them for and why it was special or helpful.
- Paragraph 3: End with a friendly comment, a question, or a plan to meet. Then add your sign-off.
2. Use the Past Simple to Talk About Events
Use the past simple to describe what happened. Remember to use the correct irregular verb forms.
- I went to your party last Saturday.
- We had a wonderful time.
- You gave me a beautiful present.
- I stayed at your house last weekend.
3. Use Connectors to Link Your Ideas
At A2 level, connect your sentences using linking words such as because, so, when, and, but, and also. These words help your writing flow naturally and sound less like a list of short sentences.
4. Use Commas After Introductory Time Clauses
When you begin a sentence with a time word such as when, before, or after, always put a comma after the opening clause.
- Correct: When I got home, I felt so happy.
- Correct: After we had dinner, we watched a film together.
Useful Linking Words (Connectors)
| Connector | Function / Use | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| because | Gives a reason | I loved the gift because it was so thoughtful. |
| so | Shows a result | You cooked a delicious meal, so I felt very welcome. |
| and | Adds information | The food was great and the music was fantastic. |
| but | Shows contrast | The journey home was long, but I had a wonderful evening. |
| also | Adds an extra point | I also really enjoyed meeting your friends. |
| when | Connects two events in time | When I opened your present, I was so surprised. |
| after | Shows one event follows another | After we ate dinner, we sat in the garden. |
| before | Shows one event comes first | Before I left, I helped you wash the dishes. |
| although | Shows a simple concession or surprise | Although the weather was cold, we had a great time. |
Model Writing Sample: A Thank-You Email to a Friend
Read this example of a complete thank-you email. Notice how it is organised into clear sections.
―――――――――――――――――――――――――
Subject: Thank you so much!
Hi Sophie, [Greeting — use the person's first name in an informal email]
How are you? I'm writing to say a big thank you for your birthday present. [Opening line — state the reason for writing immediately]
When I opened the box, I was so excited! I love the blue scarf because it is really beautiful and it goes perfectly with my coat. I also really enjoyed the dinner at your house last Saturday. The food was delicious, so I had a fantastic evening. [Main body — use past simple, give specific details, and use connectors]
I hope we can meet again soon. Would you like to go for coffee next week? Let me know! [Closing — end with a friendly question or suggestion]
Love,
Emma [Friendly sign-off followed by your name]
―――――――――――――――――――――――――
Word Count Check
The email above is 88 words — a perfect length for an A2 thank-you email.
Model Text Breakdown
| Section | What It Does | Example from the Model |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Opens the email in a friendly way | Hi Sophie, |
| Opening Line & Reason | Asks how they are and states why you are writing | I'm writing to say a big thank you for your birthday present. |
| Main Body | Gives specific details using past simple and connectors | When I opened the box, I was so excited! I love the blue scarf because it is really beautiful… |
| Closing Question | Ends with a friendly comment or question | Would you like to go for coffee next week? |
| Sign-off | Closes the email warmly | Love, Emma |
Key Phrases & Sentence Starters
Greetings
- Hi [Name],
- Hello [Name],
- Dear [Name],
Opening Lines & Reason for Writing
- How are you? I hope you're well.
- I'm writing to say thank you for…
- I just wanted to say a big thank you for…
- Thank you so much for…
- I wanted to thank you for your help / your lovely gift / the wonderful dinner.
Giving Details & Explanations
- When I received your gift, I was so happy.
- I really loved it because it was so kind / thoughtful / useful.
- We had a great time at your house.
- The food was delicious, so I enjoyed the evening very much.
- I also loved meeting your family / friends.
- Although the party was short, it was really special.
- After we had dinner, we talked for hours.
- It was really kind of you to think of me.
- I'm going to use / wear / keep it all the time!
Ending Your Message & Sign-offs
- I hope we can meet again soon.
- Let me know when you are free.
- Would you like to come to my place next time?
- I'm going to call you next week.
- Hope to see you soon!
- Thanks again for everything!
- Love, [Your name]
- Best wishes, [Your name]
- See you soon, [Your name]
- All the best, [Your name]
- Take care, [Your name]
Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Study these four common A2 mistakes. Make sure you do not make them in your own writing.
❌ I loved the present so it was very beautiful.
✅ I loved the present because it was very beautiful. — Use because to give a reason. Use so to show a result, not a reason. (The present was beautiful, so I loved it.)
❌ I was happy, I had a great time.
✅ I was happy because I had a great time. — Do not join two sentences with only a comma. This is called a comma splice. Use a connector like because, so, or and.
❌ When I opened the present I was so surprised.
✅ When I opened the present, I was so surprised. — When a sentence starts with a time clause (when, after, before), always put a comma before the main clause.
❌ Thank you for invite me to your party.
✅ Thank you for inviting me to your party. — After thank you for, always use the -ing form of the verb, not the infinitive.
❌ i really enjoyed the dinner. it was great.
✅ I really enjoyed the dinner. It was great. — Always use a capital letter for I and at the beginning of every new sentence.
Writing Checklist & Practice Task
Writing Checklist
Before you finish your email, check every point on this list:
- ✅ Did you use an informal greeting? (Hi [Name], or Hello [Name],)
- ✅ Did you open with a friendly line and state clearly why you are writing?
- ✅ Did you use the past simple correctly to describe past events? (went, had, loved, gave, stayed)
- ✅ Did you use linking words? (because, so, when, and, but, also, after, although)
- ✅ Did you put a comma after opening time clauses? (When I arrived, …)
- ✅ Did you give specific details about what you are thanking the person for?
- ✅ Did you end with a friendly question or comment?
- ✅ Did you use an appropriate sign-off followed by your name?
- ✅ Is your email between 60 and 90 words?
- ✅ Did you check your spelling and use capital letters correctly?
Your Practice Task
Read the situation below and write your thank-you email.
Situation: Your friend Carlos invited you to his birthday dinner at a restaurant last Friday. He paid for your meal and gave you a gift — a book about your favourite city. You had a wonderful evening. Write an email to thank him. Mention the dinner, the gift, and suggest meeting again soon.
Remember:
- Write 60–90 words.
- Use two or three paragraphs.
- Include a greeting and a sign-off.
- Use at least three different linking words from the table above.
- Use the past simple to describe the evening.
Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.
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