Letters: how to write

Making a request

• We would appreciate it if you would ...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• Could you please send me . . .
• Could you possibly tell us/let us have...
• In addition, I would like to receive ...
• It would be helpful if you could send us ...
• I am interested in (obtaining/receiving...)
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
• Please let me know what action you propose to take.

Making an offer, a suggestion, an invitation

• We would be happy to ...
• Would you like us to ...
• We are quite willing to ...
• Our company would be pleased to ...
• May I suggest…?
• We are able to suggest…
• I propose that…

Making an apology

• We are sorry for the delay in replying ...
• I regret any inconvenience caused
• I would like to apologize for (the delay/the inconvenience) ...
• Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience
• We are very very sorry for/that…
• We apologize for…
• Do forgive us for…
• Please accept our sincere apologies for…

Congratulations/ Wishes

• Many congratulations…
• Please accept our warmest congratulations…
• We wish you every success.
• I would like to wish you a very happy birthday.
• I send you my (very) best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Making an official thanks

• I should like to express my sincere thanks for…
• We owe you our most sincere thanks for the way in which you…
• It was most kind of you…
• We would like to thank you for…
• We are most grateful for…
• Please accept our warmest thanks for…
• We would like to express our gratitude/ our sincere thanks for…
• Thank you for..

Example of a transactional letter

• Task
• You are planning to do an evening class with a friend who has sent you a letter and a leaflet advertising a music school. Read the letter and the leaflet together with your friend’s notes. Then write to the school asking for the information which your friend has suggested, adding any relevant questions of your own.
• Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any addresses
• Stalham School of Music
• Would you like to learn to play an instrument?
• 1.Choose from electric guitar, drums, keyboard or saxophone.
• 2.Elementary, intermediate or advanced.
• 3.Lessons two evenings a week
• 4. Prices from £10.00 a lesson
• There are 8-week courses starting in October, January, April.
• Soundproof practice rooms available for hire. Bands welcome
• Example: