Aptis reading Test: General Tips and Strategies

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Standard Expressions And Phrases For APTIS 
We will discuss which phrases you will need for each different part of the test in the individual 
sections. Below are some of the ones you should learn. 
*Note: Most of these expressions have a dependant preposition and are followed by a specific verb 
form. Make sure that you know the full expression. 

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Informal 
Formal 
Introduction/saying why you are writing 
I’m writing to you because… 
I am writing to you in connection 
with… 
This is about… 
I am writing to you concerning… 
I am writing to + inf… 
With regard to… 
Requesting help 
Can you give me a hand with… 
Could you assist me with… 
Could you help me with… 
I would be grateful if you could + 
inf… 
Please help me with… 
Would you mind +verb + ing. 
I wonder if you would mind + verb + 
inf 
Explaining a problem/complaining 
The problem I’ve got is… 
I have some difficulty with… 
I’m having a problem with… 
I am experiencing a problem with… 
The… is not working/right… 
I would like to express my 
dissatisfaction with… 
I’m not happy about… 
The product is completely 
unsatisfactory because… 
Giving reasons 
Because… 
This is a result of… 
This is down to… 
Because of this I am (unable to)… 
Making suggests 
Why don’t you + inf… 
It would be a good idea to + inf… 
Just + inf… 
Perhaps you could + inf… 
Would it be possible to + inf…? 
(question form) 
Expressing thanks 
Thanks, a lot for… 
I’d like to express my thanks for… 
Cheers… 
I am grateful for… 
I very much appreciate you + verb + 
ing 
Giving good/bad news 
I’m happy to let you know (that)… 
I am pleased to advise you (that)... 
I’m pleased to say (that)… 
It is a pleasure to tell you (that)… 
I’m sorry to let you know (that)… 
I am sorry to advise you (that)... 
I’m sad to say (that)… 
I regret having to tell you (that)… 
Closing 
(I’ll) Speak to you soon. 
I look forward to hearing from you 
soon. 
Catch you later. 
I look forward to meeting you soon. 
Later’s (V. informal). 
I look receiving a reply from you 
soon. 
Greetings and Finishing 

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There are specific conventions about starts and finishes to letters in English. Most of them only 
apply to UK English and most of them apply to formal letters. However, it is worth knowing them. 
With emails the convention is more open and with informal emails there is no convention. 
Greetings 
Endings 
Dear Sir (male), 
Dear Ms. (female), 
Dear Sir or Madam, 
For letters when you do not know the 
person’s name. 
Yours faithfully, 
For letters when you do not know the 
person’s name. 
Dear John/Joanne 
Dear Mr./Ms. Smith 
For letters when you know the 
person’s name. 
Yours sincerely, 
For letters when you know the 
person’s name. 
Dear Sir (male), 
Dear Ms. (female), 
Dear Sir or Madam, 
Dear John/Joanne, 
Dear Mr./Ms. Smith, 
For more formal emails. 
Kind regards, 
Best regards, 
For more formal emails. 
As I said earlier, we will look at what techniques you need will need and give you tips on how to 
answer questions in each part in separate sections.