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 ...
