Letter
Writing
Opening Lines
1. Subject heading (generally not used for emails, which have a special subject line)
a. Placement: immediately after the salutation.
b. In bold type.
c. Not necessary to begin with "Re." (with regard to).
d. In an e-mail "Re." might even be confused with "RE," an abbreviation for reply.
2. Greetings
a. I trust that this finds you well.
b. I hope that you are well.
3. Thank you
a. Thank you (very much) for
i. + noun
1. your letter of October 15.
2. your enquiry of October 15.
ii. + gerund
1. sending me the report.
2. being so prompt in sending the samples we requested.
b. Informal: Thanks for….
c. Not "I thank you…."
4. Reference
a. With reference to
i. your letter of August 17, ….
ii. our meeting on September 3, ….
iii. our conversation last week, ….
b. Further to our telephone conversation yesterday, ….
c. Following our discussion last week….
i. Following our meeting last Thursday….
d. I refer to your letter of August 17 in which you….
5. Purpose
a. I am writing
i. to enquire about….
ii. to inform you that….
iii. in connection with….
b. I am interested in….
i. I am interested in…, and I would like to know….
6. Replying to a letter, etc.
a. In reply to your letter of October 15, ….
b. I am replying to your letter dated October 15 in which you requested…
c. I am writing to you in reply to your letter….
d. I have received your letter of October 15….
e. With reference to your letter of….
f. Thank you for your letter dated….
7. Enclosures
a. Please find enclosed/attached
i. a draft of the agreement.
ii. a copy of the Shareholders' Agreement.
iii. the brochures you requested in your letter of October 15.
b. I enclose/attach the price list you requested.
c. I have enclosed/attached the price list you requested.
d. I am enclosing/attaching the price list you requested.
e. Here is the price list you wanted. (informal)
f. Please complete the attached form.
Closing Lines
1. I look forward to
a. hearing from you (soon).
b. receiving your reply/your order/the report.
2. I hope to hear from you soon/in the near future.
3. I hope that this information will be of help. (+ one of the "if you need any further information…"
sentences given below.)
4. I trust that the problem will soon be resolved.
5. I would be (most) grateful if you could help me in this matter.
6. I would be grateful for an early reply.
a. I would appreciate a prompt reply.
7. Thank you in advance (for the information, for considering this request, etc.).
8. Please contact me if you need any further information.
a. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.
b. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
c. If you need any further information, please contact me.
d. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.