半正式（Semi-Formal）是三種語氣裡最難掌握的——它是「中間值」。你認識對方，但你們之間有專業或社會距離：老師、房東、雇主、同事的主管、社區管理員。
寫太正式 → 顯得冷漠、距離感過重；寫太隨便 → 失禮、不專業。這個 register 需要判斷力——而判斷力來自看範文累積語感。
先看 Task 1 General 三種信件 了解全貌。
為什麼這封信最考判斷力
| 太正式 ❌ | 剛好 ✓ | 太隨便 ❌ | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------| | Dear Sir or Madam, | Dear Mr Thompson, | Hi Mike, | | I am writing to inform you... | I am writing to let you know... | Just wanted to say... | | Yours faithfully, | Yours sincerely, | Cheers, | | I would be most grateful... | Would it be possible to... | Can you...? | | Please find attached... | I have attached... | See attached |
台灣考生為什麼常失衡？
滑向太正式的原因
台灣學生從小學英文被教「正式=有禮貌」，所以寫給老師也套 Dear Sir or Madam + I am writing to enquire whether your esteemed institution could kindly furnish me with... — 老師收到會覺得你跟他很疏遠。
滑向太隨便的原因
或者相反：學生學了美國 YouTube 跟 Netflix，寫給房東就來 Hey John, the heating is like totally broken lol — 房東收到會覺得你不夠成熟。
判斷關鍵問題
寫信前問自己三個問題：
- 你跟對方見過面嗎？ 見過 → 可能是 semi-formal。沒見過 → formal。
- 你有責任/義務關係嗎？（學生對老師、房客對房東、員工對老闆）→ semi-formal。
- 你們會用名字互相稱呼嗎？ 會 → 可能是 semi-formal 或 informal。你稱對方 Mr/Ms 但對方叫你名字 → 幾乎都是 semi-formal。
開頭結尾的正確寫法
| 開頭 | 結尾 | 情境 | |------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------| | Dear Mr Thompson, | Yours sincerely, | 男老師、男房東、男雇主 | | Dear Ms Patel, | Yours sincerely, | 已婚未婚都用 Ms，比 Mrs/Miss 安全 | | Dear Dr Lin, | Yours sincerely, | 教授、醫師 | | Dear Professor Wang, | Yours sincerely, | 大學教授（比 Dr 更尊稱） |
❌ 絕對不能寫的
- Dear Teacher, — 中文直譯，英文絕不這樣寫
- Hi Sir, / Hello Sir, — 不是合法稱呼
- Dear Mr Thompson John, — 姓在前錯誤，英文是 Dear Mr Thompson
- Dear Mr, — 後面一定要接姓
6 個半正式句型
既禮貌又不生硬：
| 中文 | 英文 | 用在哪段 | |-----------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------| | 希望您一切安好 | I hope this finds you well, | 開場第二句 | | 我在想是否 | I was wondering whether... | 試探性請求 | | 是否有可能 | Would it be possible to...? | 正式請求 | | 先感謝您的諒解 | Thank you in advance for your understanding. | 請假/請求後 | | 抱歉造成不便 | I apologise for any inconvenience caused. | 道歉、請假 | | 我很感謝 | I would very much appreciate... | 提出具體要求 |
155 字完整範文（請病假）
題目：You will be unable to attend work for a week because of a medical appointment. Write a letter to your manager.
- explain why you will be absent
- describe the medical issue briefly
- suggest how your work can be covered
Dear Mr Anderson,
[§1 禮貌開場 + 目的] I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to let you know that I will be unable to attend work next week, from Monday the 5th until Friday the 9th of May, and to discuss arrangements for my workload during this absence.
[§2 解釋原因 — 具體但不過度分享] My physician has scheduled a minor surgical procedure on my right knee, which will require two days in hospital followed by three days of rest at home. The operation is not serious, but driving and prolonged sitting will not be possible during the recovery period.
[§3 主動提出解決方案] I was wondering whether the Harper project deadline could be extended by one week, as I would normally complete it during that period. Alternatively, I would very much appreciate it if the draft work could be passed to Sarah, who is already familiar with the client's requirements.
[§4 收尾致謝] Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yours sincerely, Wu Yi-fan
字數：155。注意：
- 開頭 I hope this finds you well → 比 formal 信的直接切入更人性
- 描述病情簡短 — 只說「minor surgical procedure」，不寫病史細節
- 主動提出兩個 cover option — 這是半正式信加分重點：表現你的 professionalism
警告：半正式信也不能用縮寫
雖然語氣比 formal 鬆一點，縮寫依然禁止：
| ❌ | ✅ | |------------------|-------------------| | I'm writing | I am writing | | I've attached | I have attached | | don't work | does not work | | won't be able | will not be able| | it's a problem | it is a problem |
縮寫是 informal 信 專屬。半正式仍然要展現你能寫完整形式的英文——這是評分員打 Grammar Range 的依據之一。
練習題
寫一封 150 字的半正式信給你租屋的房東 Mr Lee，告訴他：
- 公寓的熱水器壞了三天
- 已經嘗試你能做的（重啟電源、看說明書）
- 希望他本週內安排維修
自我檢查：
- [ ] 開頭 Dear Mr Lee, + 結尾 Yours sincerely,
- [ ] 用 I hope this finds you well 開場
- [ ] 至少 3 個半正式句型
- [ ] 沒有 I'm, don't, it's 縮寫
- [ ] 主動提出解決方案 / 方便時段
延伸閱讀：