write a letter

Meaning

To compose a written message to someone, typically on paper, which is then placed in an envelope and sent by mail. Although digital communication is more common today, people still do this for personal, formal, or traditional reasons.

Examples

• I need to write a letter to my grandmother for her birthday.

  I need to write a letter to my grandmother for her birthday.

• My teacher told me to write a letter to my future self.

  My teacher told me to write a letter to my future self.

• Did you write a letter to the company to ask for a refund?

  Did you write a letter to the company to ask for a refund?

• She sat down at her desk to write a letter to her pen pal in Spain.

  She sat down at her desk to write a letter to her pen pal in Spain.

• Every December, the children write a letter to Santa Claus.

  Every December, the children write a letter to Santa Claus.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to make a letter to my friend.

  ✓ I want to write a letter to my friend.

  In English, we use the verb 'write' (not 'make' or 'do') when creating written text on paper.

• ✗ I will write a letter for my teacher.

  ✓ I will write a letter to my teacher.

  Use the preposition 'to' to indicate the person who will receive the letter. Use 'for' only if you are writing it on behalf of someone else.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Every year, I ___ to my grandmother to thank her for the Christmas gifts.

  💡 Put words on paper and mail them to her.

  Show answer

  write a letter

• It is very romantic to ___ by hand instead of sending a quick text message.

  💡 Use a pen and paper to send a personal message.

  Show answer

  write a letter

• My son wants to ___ to his favorite cartoon character.

  💡 Send a physical message through the post office.

  Show answer

  write a letter