Vocabulary to write letters - danieljjh/bbcEnglishWorking GitHub Wiki

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