- 1. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Useful phrases
- 2. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Opening lines
I am writing to enquire about …
In reply to your letter/email of 26 April, …
Thank you for your letter/email of 26 April.
Thank you for your letter/email regarding …
Thank you for your letter/email about …
With reference to your letter of 26 April, I ...
With reference to your advertisement in …, I …
I received your address from … and would like to …
I recently wrote to you about …
- 3. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Closing lines
I look forward to your (prompt) reply.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to seeing you.
If you require any further information, do not hesitate to
contact me.
Should you need any further information, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
We look forward to a successful working relationship in the
future.
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
- 4. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Making a request
I would be grateful if you could …
I would appreciate (it) if you could …
- 5. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Apologizing
I/We apologise for the inconvenience.
I/We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Please accept our/my sincere apologies.
- 6. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Complaining
I/We wish to draw your attention to …
I am writing to complain about …
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …
- 7. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
Conveying bad news
I/We regret that …
I/We regret to inform you that …
- 8. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
If you don’t know the recepient’s
name
Dear Sir ... Yours faithfully
Dear Madam ... Yours faithfully
Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully
- 9. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
If you know the recepient’s name
Dear Mr Hanson ... Yours sincerely
Dear Ms Hanson ... Yours sincerely
- 10. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
If you write to a colleague or friend
Dear Jack ... Best wishes/Best regards
- 11. Linguistic Atelier – business English courses http://www.LinguisticAtelier.com
If you write to a whole department
Dear Sirs ... Yours faithfully
Dear all … Best regards