Can you write an informal email in PTE Core?
Yes, when the reader is a friend, a relative, a classmate or a neighbour you know. Write Email is a PTE Core task, and the register you choose should suit the person in the prompt. A stiff "I am writing to formally request" to your best friend is as much a mismatch as slang to a company.
Pearson's own sample emails show where the line sits. Its strongest sample, written to a manager, opens with a first-name greeting, uses "don't" and signs off with "Thanks" and a first name, and Pearson calls its level of formality appropriate (p. 22). A weaker sample to the same manager tags "Right?" onto statements and drops verbs from its sentences; Pearson says that writer cannot yet pitch the formality right (p. 21).
So friendly language is not the problem; careless language is. In BandLadder's view, an informal email that scores has a warm but clear tone, every point the prompt asks for, and full, punctuated sentences.
PTE informal email format: what changes and what stays
Writing to a friend: the tone changes, the job does not
| Part of the email | What changes for a friend | What stays the same |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | "Hi Kofi," or "Hello Kofi," (first name only) | It still names the reader from the prompt |
| First lines | A warm word before the purpose is fine | The purpose arrives by sentence two |
| Body | Contractions, direct questions, "let's", "why don't we" | Every bullet point covered, one paragraph each |
| Sentences | Shorter and more personal | Full sentences with capitals and full stops |
| Sign-off | "See you soon," "Take care," "Thanks," | Your name goes under it |
| Length | Nothing | 50–120 words for the full Form score |
BandLadder teaching material: options to choose from, not lines to memorise.
A chatty message with no full stops earns nothing at all. The guide does not mention abbreviations such as "u" or "ur"; BandLadder advice is to treat each as a likely spelling error.
PTE Core informal email example: a friend's banquet nerves
This prompt is from BandLadder's Write Email set Dining Etiquette and Table Manners (prompt 3). Both answers below were written fresh for this sheet.
You are helping a friendregister who is attending a traditional banquet hosted by international colleagues next week. Your friend is nervous about unfamiliar cultural dining customs and has asked for your advice. Write an email to your friend to explain two important table customspoint 1, give a tip on handling unfamiliar foods politelypoint 2, and offer to practise over lunch this weekendpoint 3.
- → "Two" customs means two. A friendly email that gives one custom has still missed part of the task.
hey kofi!!no capitals dont stress about the banquet lol. just wait for the host to eat firstone custom and ur good. food u dont like, just dont eat itnot polite haha. anyway hows work??off task we should totally hang out soon!!!no lunch offer xxno name
- → 38 words: Form can reach only 1 (30–49 words, p. 32).
- → Only one custom, a blunt tip and a vague meet-up: the three points are half-answered.
- → "dont", "ur", "u", "hows": in BandLadder's view each is likely to count as a spelling/typing error, and Spelling drops to 1 at three or four errors (p. 34).
Hi Kofi,greeting Don't worry about next week's banquet. You'll be fine, and here are a few tips that should helppurpose. First, wait until your host starts eatingcustom 1 before you pick up your fork. Also, try to keep pace with everyone elsecustom 2, so you don't finish long before the others or keep them waiting. If a dish looks unfamiliar, take a small spoonful and try itpoint 2. If you really can't eat something, just leave it quietly and thank your host for the meal. Why don't we meet for lunch on Saturdaypoint 3 and practise together? I'll book a table somewhere quiet. See you soon, Lenasign-off
- → Still informal: contractions, a reassuring first line, a friendly question, a casual sign-off.
- → Still complete: two customs, one tip, a specific lunch offer, one paragraph per point, a name at the end.
"Don't worry", "You'll be fine" and "Why don't we" make it friendly, and none costs a mark, because each sits in a full, punctuated sentence. For greeting and sign-off choices for every kind of reader, see PTE Write Email Email Conventions; for ordering the three points, see PTE Write Email Organization.
Informal email mistakes in PTE Write Email, and fixes
These come from a second prompt, from BandLadder's set Community and Cultural Festivals (prompt 3): plan a trip to a lantern festival with your friend Alex, saying which events you want to see, asking about train or car, and suggesting booking passes early.
✗ Hi Alex! How are you? How's the family? Work has been so busy lately, honestly it's been crazy.
✓ Hi Alex, I can't wait for the lantern festival next month, so let's sort out our plans.
Small talk spends words the three points need. BandLadder advice: purpose by sentence two.
✗ Train or car? Whatever u want.
✓ Would you rather take the train, or shall we share the driving?
Fragments and "u" cost Grammar and Spelling. A full question sounds just as friendly.
✗ The workshops are good idea. Right?
✓ I'd love to try one of the paper lantern workshops. Do you fancy it too?
Pearson singles out "Right?" in a weaker sample (p. 21). Ask a real question instead of adding a tag.
✗ (email ends after the transport question)
✓ Shall we book our passes this week to get the early-bird price?
A dropped bullet point is the costliest informal slip: Content's top score asks for the task's requirements to be addressed sufficiently (p. 32).
✗ Can't wait!!! xx
✓ Let me know what you think. Take care, Lena
Pearson's comment on its weakest sample counts the writer's missing name against conventions (p. 20). Sign with a name, even to a friend.
Choosing the register is the same skill in speaking: Respond to a Situation: formal or informal? uses the same reader-first test. For where Write Email fits in your Writing score, see PTE Writing 79.
Your turn: PTE informal email check
Choose the best answer for each informal email question.
- True or false: contractions such as "I'll" and "don't" lose marks in an email to a friend.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
False
Pearson's strongest sample email uses "don't", and Pearson calls its formality appropriate (p. 22).
- Which sentence keeps a friendly tone and full grammar?
- A. Train or car? Up to u.
- B. Would you rather take the train, or shall we share the driving?
- C. I am writing to formally enquire about your preferred mode of transport.
- D. train is better i think lol
Show answer
Would you rather take the train, or shall we share the driving?
It is warm and direct, and it is a complete, punctuated question.
- Your email to a cousin has 46 words. What can Form score?
- A. 2
- B. 1
- C. 0
Show answer
1
30–49 words scores 1; the full 2 needs 50–120 words (p. 32).
- A test taker types a friendly 90-word email with no punctuation at all. What happens?
- A. Only Grammar loses a point
- B. Form scores 0, so the other traits are not scored
- C. Nothing, because the email is informal
Show answer
Form scores 0, so the other traits are not scored
A response with no punctuation scores Form 0, and a 0 for Form stops further scoring (pp. 7, 32).
- The prompt asks you to thank a friend, describe the gift you bought, and invite them to dinner. Your draft thanks them warmly and invites them. What is missing?
- A. A formal greeting
- B. The description of the gift
- C. A subject line
- D. A postscript
Show answer
The description of the gift
Each bullet point needs an answer; a warm tone does not replace a missing point.
Then try an informal prompt on BandLadder's Write Email practice: BandLadder AI gives you a score and what to fix, question by question.
BandLadder questions
Practise it now
Use the method on original BandLadder questions. Attempt them free and see your score.
Questions
FAQ
Can I write an informal email in PTE Core?+
Yes, when the prompt's reader is a friend, relative or classmate. Email Conventions rewards a register that suits the reader, and an inappropriate register can cap it at 1 (PTE Core Score Guide, p. 32).
Can I use contractions in PTE Core Write Email?+
Yes. Pearson's strongest sample email uses "don't", and Pearson calls its level of formality appropriate (Score Guide p. 22). BandLadder advice: type every apostrophe. The guide does not rule on "dont", but we treat it as a likely spelling error.
Can I use abbreviations like "u" or "lol" in a PTE email to a friend?+
BandLadder advice: no. The Score Guide does not mention text-speak, but full Spelling marks allow at most two spelling/typing errors (p. 34), and we treat each "u" or "ur" as a likely error. The full word sounds just as friendly.
How do I start and end an informal email in PTE?+
Start with "Hi" or "Hello" and the friend's first name, then state your purpose within two sentences. End with a friendly line, a sign-off such as "See you soon," and your name.
Is there a PTE Core informal email template?+
Use a frame, not a script. Greetings and sign-offs are normal email language, but Pearson says significant memorised material does not properly deal with the prompt, which scores Content 0 (Score Guide pp. 6, 32).
What is the PTE Core email word limit?+
Form scores 2 for 50–120 words, 1 for 30–49 or 121–140, and 0 below 30 or above 140 words (Score Guide p. 32). That applies to informal emails too.
Sources
- PTE Core Score Guide (January 2026): p. 6 (memorised material); p. 7 (Content and Form first); pp. 17–19 (seven traits); pp. 20–22 (Pearson's comments on sample emails); pp. 32–34 (Write Email descriptors)
- BandLadder Write Email sets: Dining Etiquette and Table Manners (prompt 3); Community and Cultural Festivals (prompt 3)
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