1. Common Language Errors in
Cover Letters
E. Siler

2. The Opening Sentence
• I am writing this letter apply to position of
financial analyst for Bank of China.

3. Tense
• I am writing this letter apply to position of
financial analyst for Bank of China.
• I write this letter apply to position of financial
analyst for Bank of China.

4. Redundancy
• I write this letter apply to position of financial
analyst for Bank of China.
• I write apply to position of financial analyst for
Bank of China.

5. Infinitives of Purpose
• I write apply to position of financial analyst for
Bank of China.
• I write to apply to position of financial analyst
for Bank of China.

6. Prepositions
• I write to apply to position of financial analyst
for Bank of China.
• I write to apply for position of financial analyst
with Bank of China.

7. Articles
• I write to apply for position of financial analyst
with Bank of China.
• I write to apply for the position of financial
analyst with Bank of China, which was
advertised in the Sunday Times (November
11, 2011).

8. Punctuation
• I write to apply for the position of financial
analyst with Bank of China.
• I write to apply for the position of Financial
Analyst with Bank of China.

9. The Degree Statement
• I got my degree in accounting in WSU.

10. Word Choice
• I got my degree in accounting in WSU.
• I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in
WSU.

11. Prepositions
• I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in
WSU.
• I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at
WSU.

12. The Closing Sentence
• I look forward to meet with you for discussing
my application.

13. Prepositions vs. Infinitives
• I look forward to meet with you for discussing
my application.
• I look forward to meeting with you to discuss
my application.