Business letters in English. Official, formal correspondence: letters and e-mails. Useful phrases

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Useful phrases

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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 …

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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.

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Making a request
 I would be grateful if you could …
 I would appreciate (it) if you could …

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Apologizing
 I/We apologise for the inconvenience.
 I/We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
 Please accept our/my sincere apologies.

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Complaining
 I/We wish to draw your attention to …
 I am writing to complain about …
 I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …

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Conveying bad news
 I/We regret that …
 I/We regret to inform you that …

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If you don’t know the recepient’s
name
 Dear Sir ... Yours faithfully
 Dear Madam ... Yours faithfully
 Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully

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If you know the recepient’s name
 Dear Mr Hanson ... Yours sincerely
 Dear Ms Hanson ... Yours sincerely

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If you write to a colleague or friend
 Dear Jack ... Best wishes/Best regards

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If you write to a whole department
 Dear Sirs ... Yours faithfully
 Dear all … Best regards