Salutation
Dear Sir / Madam,
Dear Mr / Mrs /Miss ….,
Body of the letter (content: purpose and details)
The body of the letter is the main content. It may start with a reference to another letter or fax previously received or sent. Then it must include a statement of purpose of the present letter. Finally, it usually includes closing lines to express a more personal wish or comment related to the aim of the letter.
Thank you for your letter / e-mail / inquiry of February 12th.
Thank you for your e-mail requesting information about…
We refer to your fax dated ….
With reference to your letter dated …
I saw your advertisement in…
We are interested in…
We have received your letter of … concerning …
I’m writing to apply for the vacancy of…
We would like to order the following items…
Could you please send me/ us …?
We would like to know if / about …
I would be grateful if you could inform me / us about…
I would also like information/ details about…
Closing
I/ We would be very grateful … to receive a trial order.
We are enclosing … (a catalogue and current price-list)
We are sending you a copy of…
Attached is a copy of …
Please find attached a …
See attached file.
We will be pleased to send you any further information you may need.
I /We look forward to hearing from you.
We look forward to receiving your order.
We will deal promptly with any order you send us.
Yours sincerely, (if the addressee’s name is known)
Yours faithfully, (if the addressee’s name is not known)
Sincerely,
Sincerely yours,
Kind regards,
Cordial wishes,
Cordially,
Best regards,
Yours truly,
Very truly yours,
Writing style
There are attitudes of speakers that are clearly reflected in writing. It is said that English speakers, in general, are far more ‘to the point’ when writing than writers of other cultures. With regard to letter writing, sentences tend to be shorter and very precise. There is no room for unnecessary detail so for ‘beating about the bush’.
Likewise, an English speaker will expect to read a letter or memo written in clear, direct and careful language.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Dear Mr / Mrs /Miss ….,
Body of the letter (content: purpose and details)
The body of the letter is the main content. It may start with a reference to another letter or fax previously received or sent. Then it must include a statement of purpose of the present letter. Finally, it usually includes closing lines to express a more personal wish or comment related to the aim of the letter.
Thank you for your letter / e-mail / inquiry of February 12th.
Thank you for your e-mail requesting information about…
We refer to your fax dated ….
With reference to your letter dated …
I saw your advertisement in…
We are interested in…
We have received your letter of … concerning …
I’m writing to apply for the vacancy of…
We would like to order the following items…
Could you please send me/ us …?
We would like to know if / about …
I would be grateful if you could inform me / us about…
I would also like information/ details about…
Closing
I/ We would be very grateful … to receive a trial order.
We are enclosing … (a catalogue and current price-list)
We are sending you a copy of…
Attached is a copy of …
Please find attached a …
See attached file.
We will be pleased to send you any further information you may need.
I /We look forward to hearing from you.
We look forward to receiving your order.
We will deal promptly with any order you send us.
Yours sincerely, (if the addressee’s name is known)
Yours faithfully, (if the addressee’s name is not known)
Sincerely,
Sincerely yours,
Kind regards,
Cordial wishes,
Cordially,
Best regards,
Yours truly,
Very truly yours,
Writing style
There are attitudes of speakers that are clearly reflected in writing. It is said that English speakers, in general, are far more ‘to the point’ when writing than writers of other cultures. With regard to letter writing, sentences tend to be shorter and very precise. There is no room for unnecessary detail so for ‘beating about the bush’.
Likewise, an English speaker will expect to read a letter or memo written in clear, direct and careful language.
Source: English for secretaries and administrative personnel. Student’s book.
Ed. McGrawHill
AND NOW SOME SPEAKING
- Do you have a personal style for writing e-mails o letters? How would you describe it?
- Are your emails different from the ones you receive from your foreign customers or suppliers or just friends? State differences and similarities in style. Are they more / less formal? More / less elaborated?
- Do you prefer writing e-mails or making a phone call? Why?
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