Written Correspondence - FORMAL LETTER

FORMAL LETTERS

ü  Dear Sir / Madam

ü  Dear Mr/Mrs & the name of the person you’re writing to

ü  Thank you for …

ü  I am writing in order to / with reference to / about  … which …

ü  As far as ________ is concerned …

ü  With regards to the …,

ü  Regarding the …

ü  In your letter/ the advert you mentioned (that/the) …

ü  Would it be possible to …

ü  I was hoping that I could …

ü  I would be grateful if you could …

ü  I would appreciate your help/advice

Linking words: In addition to this, Additionally, Furthermore, Despite the fact that, However, Firstly, Secondly, In conclusion, Finally

ü  I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience,

ü  I hope you will consider my application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future,

ü  Thank you for taking the time to consider (my application/my suggestions),

ü  Yours faithfully, (for Dear Sir/Madam)

ü  Yours sincerely, (if you know the name)

ü  (your name)

Letters objecting to someone's plans

ü  I am writing to express my concern /disappointment / alarm at hearing ...

ü  I was extremely alarmed/sorry/distressed to hear about your plans to ...

ü  As I think you know, …

ü  May I point out that …

ü  I feel I really must object to ...

ü  I am extremely concerned at the thought that ...

ü  It must be very clear that ...

ü  If these proposals go ahead, ... will happen.

ü  Another threat to ... , if these proposals go ahead, would come from ...

ü  I dread to imagine what damage this will cause.

ü  May I respectfully suggest that you ...

ü  I was wondering if you had considered this alternative?

ü  Would it not be possible to ... ?

ü   

Letters of complaint

ü  I am writing to complain about ...

ü  I am writing to tell you how disappointed/annoyed I feel about ...

ü  I was amazed/distressed/horrified to find that ...

ü  As you must realise, ...

ü  I am sure you know that ...

ü  I am sure you can imagine ...

ü  I am sure you will appreciate that ...

ü  It goes without saying that ...

ü  At the very least, I look forward to receiving ...

ü  Unless you ... , I am afraid that I will have to take this matter further.

Letters of recommendation

ü  I am writing to you on behalf of ...

ü  I have known X for ... years.

ü  She / He has shown herself/himself to be extremely ...

ü  X would seem to fit the requirements of this job perfectly.

ü  I have no hesitation in recommending X as a ...

Letters to the editor

ü  I am writing about the article on ... , which appeared (in last night's paper).

ü  I am writing with reference to the article you published (in last month's issue).

ü  I have just read your article on ... and I feel I must ...

ü  You raised some issues which I feel strongly about.

ü  At the start of your article, you appear to claim that ...

ü  I am afraid I totally disagree.

ü  I am completely in agreement.

ü  I am sure readers will agree with me when I say that ...