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How to write business letters

The document provides guidelines on how to write business letters, focusing on the appropriate use of salutations based on the formality of the relationship with the recipient. It outlines how to start a letter, make requests, deliver good or bad news, and close the letter, emphasizing the importance of matching the tone throughout. The document also includes tips on enclosures and future contact references.

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gal.stigl13
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10 views

How to write business letters

The document provides guidelines on how to write business letters, focusing on the appropriate use of salutations based on the formality of the relationship with the recipient. It outlines how to start a letter, make requests, deliver good or bad news, and close the letter, emphasizing the importance of matching the tone throughout. The document also includes tips on enclosures and future contact references.

Uploaded by

gal.stigl13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to write business letters

By Marina Pantcheva

Salutation

The salutation is an important part of a letter. The choice of the right salutation depends on
whether you know the person you are writing to and how formal your relationship is.

Very formal (for official business letters)

To Whom It May Concern: Use only when you do not know to whom you must address
the letter, for example, when writing to an institution.
Dear Sir/Madam, Use when writing to a position without having a named
contact.
Dear Mr Smith, Use when you have a named male contact.
Dear Ms Smith, Use when you have a named female contact; do not use the
old-fashioned Mrs.
Dear Dr Smith, Use when writing to a named doctor.
Dear Prof Smith, Use when writing to a named professor.
Dear Xu Li, Type the whole name when you are unsure of the recipient’s
gender.

Less formal but still professional (business letters)

Dear colleagues, Use when writing to a group of people.


Dear Mary, Use when writing to a named female.
Dear John, Use when writing to a named male.

Informal (personal letters)

These salutations should be used with people you are close to, as they might offend others.

Hello guys, Use when writing to a group of people you know very well.
Hi, Use when writing to one or more people you know very well.

 There should be a comma after the salutation and a colon after “To Whom It May
Concern”.
 No full stop is needed after Mr, Ms, and Dr.
 The form Mrs is outdated.
 Avoid the exclamation (!) in salutations.

Starting your letter

There two ways in which business letters usually start: they make reference to a previous
contact, for example, phone conversation, meeting, previous mail correspondence; or they are
the first contact with the recipient.

Making reference to previous contact


I am (we are writing) regarding

 your inquiry about …


 our phone conversation …

In reply to your request …


Thank you for contacting us.

Contacting the recipient for the first time

I am (we are) writing to

 inform you that …


 confirm …
 enquire about …
 complain about …

I am contacting you for the following reason.


I recently heard about … and would like to …

Making a request

We would appreciate it if you would …


I would be grateful if you could …
Could you please send me …
Could you possibly tell us …
It would be helpful if you could send us …

Giving good news

We are pleased to announce that …


I am delighted to inform you that …

Giving bad news

We regret to inform you that …


I’m afraid it would not be possible to …
Unfortunately we are unable to …
After careful consideration we have decided …

Ending your letter


Enclosures

Please find enclosed (for letters)


Please find attached (for emails)

Offering future assistance


If you require more information, please let us know.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further assistance.

Referring to future contact

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.


We are looking forward to meeting you on 21 January/in Tromsø.
We would appreciate your reply at your earliest convenience.

Closing

The closing salutation must match the opening salutation and the overall tone of the letter.
Choose one of the following closing lines depending on the formality of the salutation.

Very formal

Your sincerely, Use when you’ve started with Dear Sir/Madam or To Whom It
Sincerely yours, May Concern.
Respectfully,
Sincerely, Use when you’ve started with Dear + name.

Less formal but still professional

Kind regards, not too formal but businesslike


Warm regards,
Regards,
Best wishes, even less formal

Informal

Best, Use with friends and colleagues you feel close to.
Hugs,
Cheers,

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