Letter Writing

Phrases for Personal and Social Correspondence

Openings:

The standard opening for personal correspondence is Dear but variations include:

My dear …
My dearest …
Darling …

Useful phrases:

Thank you for your letter [inviting, offering, confirming]
I am delighted to announce that
I am very grateful to you for [letting me know, offering, writing]
I was delighted to hear that
It was so kind of you to [write, invite, send]
I am sorry to inform you that
Many thanks for [sending, inviting, enclosing]
I was so sorry to hear that
I am writing to tell you that

Closures :

For acquaintances and formal situations
Best wishes
With best wishes
Kindest regards

Affectionate variations for close friends and family:
All my love
See you soon
All the best
Once again many thanks
Love
I look forward to seeing you soon
Lots of love
With love and best wishes
Much love
With love to you all
With love
Do give my kindest regards to …

Phrases for Letters about Employment

Openings:

The standard opening for formal correspondence is:

✦Dear
✦Dear Sir
✦Dear Mr
✦Dear Madam
✦Dear Mrs
✦Dear Sir or Madam
✦Dear Ms
✦Dear Sirs

Useful phrases:

✶ I am writing in response to your advertisement in [publication]
✶ Thank you for your letter of [date] offering me the post of
✶ I am writing to apply for the post of
✶ I am delighted to accept the position of [job title]
✶ I should be pleased to attend an interview
✶ I look forward to starting work with you

Closures:

∎ Thank you for considering this application
∎ I should be pleased to attend an interview
∎ Please do not hesitate to contact me on the above number if you should require further information
∎ I look forward to hearing from you
∎ If you know the name of the person use:
∎ Yours sincerely
∎ If you don’t know the name of the person use:   Yours faithfully

Phrases for Business Letters

Openings:

The standard opening for formal correspondence is:

Dear
Dear Sir
Dear Mr
Dear Madam
Dear Mrs
Dear Sir or Madam
Dear Ms
Dear Sirs

Useful phrases:

Thank you for your letter of [date] concerning
I apologise for the delay in replying
Thank you for sending me a [catalogue, quotation]
As stated in your letter/fax of [date]
Thank you for your enquiry of [date]
I wish to draw your attention to the
I refer to your letter of [date] concerning
I wish to inform you that
Further to our telephone conversation of [date]
I am writing to inform you that
I am writing to confirm our telephone conversation of [date]
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with
I would be grateful if you could forward me a [price list, catalogue]
Please note that
I am contacting you regarding
Please find enclosed
I am writing to complain

Closures:

I look forward to hearing from you
I trust that you will give this matter your urgent attention
I look forward to hearing your response
I hope you can settle this matter to my satisfaction
I would be most grateful if you would look into this matter as soon as possible
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information
Please let me know as soon as possible what action you propose to take
Please contact me if you require further details
If you know the person’s name use:
Yours sincerely
If you don’t know the person’s name use:
Yours faithfully

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