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Writing Formal Letters or Emails Introduction

The document provides guidance on writing formal letters and emails. It outlines useful phrases for greetings, reasons for writing, and endings for letters. It also gives examples of phrases to use when writing letters to complain, make suggestions, and request information.

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cristina valcea
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42 views4 pages

Writing Formal Letters or Emails Introduction

The document provides guidance on writing formal letters and emails. It outlines useful phrases for greetings, reasons for writing, and endings for letters. It also gives examples of phrases to use when writing letters to complain, make suggestions, and request information.

Uploaded by

cristina valcea
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing formal letters or emails Introduction

Writing formal letters is a necessary skill that you need for Advance Level
Useful phrases
a) Writing formal letters generally:
Greetings:
• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr Brown
• Dear Ms Jones etc.

Reason for writing:


• I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing on behalf of

Ending the letter:


• I look forward to receiving your reply
• I look forward to your reply
• I look forward to hearing from you
• I am, yours faithfully (if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to)
• I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you arewriting to)
• Yours faithfully
• Yours sincerely

b) Writing formal letters to complain


Reason for writing:
• I am writing in order to complain about
• I am writing to complain about

Introducing the complaint:


• Firstly
• In the first place
• First of all
• My first complaint is
• The first problem is
• The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is
• My first concern is

Introducing further complaints:


• Secondly
• In the second place
• Not only …….but also
• In addition
• In addition to this
• Added to this • …….was also unacceptable

Demanding action:
• I suggest that you replace the item
• I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund
• I would be grateful if my money was refunded
• I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund

Ending the letter:


• I look forward to hearing from you
• I look forward to receiving a full refund
• I look forward to receiving a replacement
• I look forward to receiving your explanation

c) Writing formal letters to make suggestions


Reason for writing:
• I am writing to suggest
• I am writing to arrange
• I am writing to offer suggestions
• I am writing make arrangements

Making first suggestion:


• My first suggestion is
• First of all I suggest
• I would like to suggest

Making further suggestions:


• Another possibility is
• A further possibility is
• I further suggest
• I would further suggest
• Secondly

Offering a choice:
• Would you therefore mind choosing between ….?
• Either……or
• You might choose either ……. Or
d) Writing formal letters to request information
Reason for writing:
• I am writing to receive further information about
• I am writing to enquire about
• I am writing to receive more detailed information about
• I am writing to receive further details about

Requesting first piece of information:


• The first thing I would like to know is
• First of all I would like to know
• I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?

Requesting further information:


Could you also tell me….?
• Could you also inform me ….?
• Would you also mind informing me ….?
• Would you also mind telling me ….?
• Do you know ….?
• I would also like to know if
• I would also like to know whether
• I hope you might also let me know about …

Thanking for information:


• I would like to thank you in advance for this information
• Thanking you in advance for this information
• Thanking you in advance

Writing formal letters and emails


task 1.
Volunteers needed
We are looking for volunteers to help out at a famous, international sporting event. We’re
looking for friendly, respectful people with good language skills, good team skills and a ‘can-do’
attitude. We need people to welcome delegates, provide customer service and solve problems.
If you think you have what it takes, apply now. Write an application to become a volunteer.
Mention: - your language skills - your personal qualities - examples of times when you have
demonstrated team skills - any relevant work experience
Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

task 2.
On a recent holiday you lost a valuable item. Fortunately you have travel insurance to cover the
cost of anything lost. Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter: +
describe the item you lost + explain how lost it + tell the insurance company what you would
like them to do.
task 3.
Your company would like to offer work-experience placements to students in an international
college. Write a letter for publication in the student newspaper at the college. Your letter
should explain what your company does, what kind of work-experience placements are
available, and how students would benefit from the experience. Write your letter in 220-260
words in an appropriate style.

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