Vocabulary to write letters

Letter structure

How to start and end the letter?

Formal letter

When you don't know the recipient’s name:

• Dear Sir … Yours faithfully
• Dear Madam … Yours faithfully
• Dear Sir or Madam … Yours faithfully

When the recipient’s name is known:

• Dear Mr Green … Yours sincerely
• Dear Mrs Green … Yours sincerely
• Dear Miss Green … Yours sincerely
• Dear Ms Green … Yours sincerely

Semi-formal letter

When you are writing to a good friend or colleague:

• Dear Jonh … Best wishes/ Best regards
• Dear Jonh ... Many thanks

Informal letter

When you are writing to a good friend or colleague:

• Hello Jonh … Best wishes/ Best

• Hi Jonh … See you/ Missing you/ Love

• When you are writing to someone you love:

• Dear Mary … Yours always/ Lots of love

Letter openings

The letter's first paragraph is letter opening. In your first paragraph you should:

introduce yourself state the purpose of the letter.

Examples of formal letter openings:

• I am writing to enquire about … .
• I am writing to request ... .
• I am writing to explain why ... .
• I am writing to express interest in ... .
• I am writing to inform you that/about… .
• I am writing to complain about (the fact that I)… .
• After having seen your advertisement in … , I would like to… .
• After having received your address from … , I … .
• Thank you for your letter regarding/about … .
• In reply to your letter of 18 June, … .

Examples of informal letter openings:

• Hi! My name is Noah and I've been assigned your drama coach… .
• Hello, My name is Julia and I'm volunteer conducting student excursions… .
• Hi there, I hope you're enjoying your holidays/ trip/ college year/ honeymoon… .
• Hello, thanks very much for asking me to visit you ... .

Letter closings

You may need a letter closing to express gratitude, to repeat an apology, to offer help etc.

Examples of formal letter closings:

• If you require any further information, feel free to contact me.
• I look forward to your reply.
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience.
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
• I would deeply appreciate it if you could ... .
• Thank you in advance!
• Thanking you for your assistance in advance, I look forward to hearing from you.

Examples of informal letter closings:

• Anyway, I‛ve got to go now. Write again if you need any more information.
• Well, let me finish here. I am eagerly waiting for your reply to this letter.

Type of letter

Apologizing

• I'm sorry about...
• I am sorry that...
• I'm very sorry about...
• I'm very sorry for...
• Please forgive me for...
• I'd like to apologize for...
• Please accept my apologies.
• Please accept my sincere apologies. (very formal)

Asking for Help

• I'd be grateful if you could...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• I would appreciate it if you could...
• Could you please...
• I was wondering of you could help me.(informal)
• I would like to know...

Asking for Information

• I am writing to enquire about...
• I am writing to find out about...
• What I am looking for is...
• I would like to know about/if...

Closing

• I look forward to seeing you.
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• I look forward to meeting you.

Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction

• I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
• I'm writing to express my annoyance with...
• I am not happy about...
• ...was very disappointing.

Conveying regards

• Please give my best regards to your family.
• Please pass on my best wishes to your wife and children.
• Please give my regards to your parents.

Expressing satisfaction

• I was delighted to hear that...
• I was very happy to learn that...
• I was thrilled to find out that...
• I was glad to hear that...
• ...was very enjoyable.

Expressing concern / sympathy

• I was sorry to hear about ... (your accident/ illness)
• I am writing to express my concern about...

Giving bad news

• I regret to inform you that...(semi-formal)
• I am sorry to tell you that...(informal)
• I regret to advise you that...(formal)
• I am afraid I have some bad news.(informal)

Giving good news

• I am pleased to inform you that...(semi-formal)
• I am delighted to tell you that...(informal)
• I am happy to advise you that...(formal)
• I thought you might like to know that...

Giving reasons

• This is because...
• This is because of...
• This is due to... (formal)
• This is as a result of...(formal)
• This is owing to...(formal)

Making suggestions

• Would it be a good idea to...
• Perhaps it would be a good idea to...
• Thanking
• Thanks.
• Thank you.
• Thank you very much.
• Thank you kindly.
• I can't thank you enough.
• No words can express my gratitude.
• I am extremely grateful for...
• I very much appreciate your ______ing