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Writing a formal letter - English lesson
WRITING A LETTER
1 = sender
2 = references
3 = optional: 'Private and confidential' for confidential documents
4 = date: September, 10th 2008
5 = recipient
6 =Attention : The Manager / Mr. / Mrs. / Ms.
7 = Dear Sirs / Dear Mr. / Dear Mrs. / Dear Ms.
8 = main object
9 = body
10 = 'Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely'.
11 = Signature
12 = your name
13 = optional
'Encl.' (enclosed) if you've enclosed documents
'copy to' if you've sent this letter to several people
USEFUL IDOMS
I - Being polite:
A) You've already met the recipient:
Starting:
Dear Mr. Simpson,
End:
Yours sincerely
(more friendly): With all good wishes,
(or) With kindest regards,
B) You are writing to a relative:
Starting:
Dear Victoria,
My dear Victoria,
Dear Aunt Victoria,
Dearest Victoria,
My dearest Victoria,
My darling Victoria,
End:
With love from Sandra
Love from Sandra
(more familiar)
Love to all
Love from us all
Yours
All the best
(encore plus affectueux)
With much love from Sandra
Lots of love from Sandra
Much love, as always
All my love
C) You are writing a business letter:
Start:
-> you are writing to a company: Dear Sirs,
-> you are writing to a man: Dear Sir,
-> you are writing to a woman: Dear Madam,
-> you don't know if the recipient is a man or a woman: Dear Sir or Madam,
End:
Yours faithfully
D) You are writing to a friend:
Start:
Dear Victoria,
My dear Victoria;
End:
Yours sincerely
With best wishes,
Best wishes,
With kindest regards,
Kindest regards,
All good wishes,
II - Other useful idioms...
WRITING A LETTER |
15th April 2003 |
Dear Sir/Dear Sirs |
Dear Mr (Mrs) Smith |
Dear Jenny, |
Thank you for your letter. |
It was kind of you to write to me. |
I got your lovely letter. |
I am writing to inform you that... |
I am writing to confirm my telephone call. |
Following our telephone conversation... |
I'm sorry I haven't written before. |
I am sorry I cannot accept your invitation. |
I shall be arriving at 6 pm. |
We'll be at the airport to meet you. |
Let me know which train you'll be on. |
Thank you very much for having me to stay. |
I had a really good holiday. |
I enclose a stamped addressed envelope. |
Could you let us have it by return of post? |
Please give my best wishes to Tim. |
Say hello to Sandra for me. |
Tell Mike I was asking after him. |
John and I send you our very best wishes. |
Mike has asked me to say that... |
Give my love to the rest of the family. |
Must go now. |
Love from Sandra |
Much love from Peter. |
See you on Sunday, |
Yours faithfully, |
Looking forward to seeing you soon, Yours sincerely, |
Starting |
Dear Personnel Director, Dear Sir or Madam |
Dear Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms |
Dear Frank |
Quoting references |
With reference to |
Thank you for your letter of March 5th. |
Why you are writing this letter |
I am writing to |
Asking for something |
Could you possibly … ? |
I would be grateful if you could … |
Accepting |
I would be delighted to … |
Bad news |
Unfortunately … |
I am afraid that … |
Enclosed documents |
I am enclosing … |
Please find enclosed … |
Enclosed you will find … |
Adding comments |
Thank you for your help |
Please contact us again if |
Appointments |
I look forward to |
End |
Yours faithfully, |
Yours sincerely, |
Best wishes, Best regards, |
POSTING A LETTER |
Is there a post office around here? |
Where is the nearest postbox? |
Where can I buy some stamps? |
I want to post this to France. |
How much is a stamp for a letter for France? |
First- or second-class mail? |
I'd like to send some money by post. |
How long will it take to get there? |
When does the last post go? |
Is there any mail for me? |
Could you post it for me? |
Could you send on my mail? |
TEST
Please use this layout to complete this letter.

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