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The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn.
The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found
in any standard business letter. By using these standard
phrases, you can give a professional tone to your business
letter in English. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and
introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of
this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the
difficult part of writing successful business letters arguing
your business objective.
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The Start |
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Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir or Madam |
(use if you don't know who you are writing to) |
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Dear Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms |
(use if you know who you are writing to, and have a
formal relationship with VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for
women unless asked to use Mrs or Miss) |
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Dear Frank |
(use if the person is a close business contact or
friend) |
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The Reference |
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With reference to |
your advertisement in the Times,
your letter of 23rd
March,
your phone call today,
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Thank you for your letter of March 5th. |
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The Reason for Writing |
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I am writing to |
enquire about
apologize for
confirm
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Requesting |
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Could you possibly
? |
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I would be grateful if you could
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Agreeing to Requests |
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I would be delighted to
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Giving Bad News |
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Unfortunately
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I am afraid that
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Enclosing Documents |
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I am enclosing
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Please find enclosed
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Enclosed you will find
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| Closing Remarks |
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Thank you for your help |
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Please contact us again if |
we can help in any way.
there are any problems.
you have any questions. |
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Reference to Future Contact |
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I look forward to |
hearing from you soon.
meeting you next Tuesday.
seeing you next Thursday. |
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The Finish |
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Yours faithfully, |
(If you don't know the name of the person you're
writing to) |
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Yours sincerely, |
(If you know the name of the person you're writing to) |
Best wishes,
Best regards, |
(If the person is a close business contact or friend) |
Here is a sample letter using some of these forms:
Ken's Cheese House
34 Chatley Avenue
Seattle, WA 98765
Tel: (206) 456 8967
Fax: (206) 456 6745
Email: [email protected]
Fred Flintstone
Sales Manager
Cheese Specialists Inc.
456 Rubble Road
Rockville, IL 896756
Dear Mr Flintstone,
With reference to our telephone conversation today, I am writing
to confirm your order for: 120 x Cheddar Deluxe Ref. No. 856
Please contact us again if we can help in any way.
Yours sincerely,
Kenneth Beare
Director of Ken's Cheese House
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