This document provides examples of formal and informal letter writing formats. It shows the typical structure of a business letter, including the letterhead, recipient's address, date, salutation, subject heading, body, and closing. It also provides an example of an informal friendly letter between acquaintances. Common formal and informal phrases used in closing letters are listed and compared.

1. Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 3rd edition
Letter writing
A business letter
Here is an example of a typical business letter, showing how you arrange the different parts on
the page. On the opposite page there is an example of a letter that you might write to a friend.
This is the letterhead. It can Manesty Clothes Ltd
go on the left, right or in the 15 Clifton Court
Manchester MR3 5PY
centre. In the US it is often England, UK
on the left. Tel: +44 (0)161 932 2628
Fax: +44 (0)161 932 2884
Email: enquiries@manesty.co.uk
This is the name and
address of the person you
Production Manager
are sending the letter to. Suntrek Fabrics
Box 167
Brown Street PO
This is the date. Singapore
2nd January 2008
This is the salutation. Dear Sir or Madam
You do not need to put a Re: Visit to Singapore
comma here. In US letters I am now planning my next trip to Southeast Asia, and would be very pleased if we
you should use a colon after could meet to discuss our production requirments for next year.
the name of the person. I hope to be in Singapore on May 3 or 4. Would it be convenient to visit you on May
3 at 10.30am? I would be grateful if you could tell me exactly where your offices are
located.
This is the subject heading,
a summary of the contents of I look forward to hearing from you.
the letter. It helps the reader Yours faithfully
to understand quickly what
the letter is about. Christine Burrows
C. Burrows
There is no space here at the Senior Buyer
begining of a new paragraph.
In US letters you should
indent the first line of each
new paragraph.
You do not need to put
commas after Dear Sir
or Madam or Yours
faithfully. But if you choose
to put a comma after Dear
Sir or Madam, you should
put one after Yours
faithfully as well. US letters
usually use commas.
© Cambridge University Press 2008

2. Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 3rd edition word families
An informal letter
Notes:
In an informal letter
4th Feb 2008 you do not usually write
your address but you write
the date.
Dear Jo,
for a brilliant
The style is much closer to
Just a quick word to thank you speech than in a formal
weekend. It was lovely to see you again and
the kids really enjoyed going roun
d London – letter. You can use short
hope we didn ’t tire you out too much! forms such as didn’t and
I’m. In a formal letter you
in Liverpool
It would be great to see you up would not use these.
been. We’ll
some time – it’s ages since you’ve
be celebratin g Jim’s fortieth (!) in September,
d come.
and it would be great if you coul
Anyway, let me know nearer the time if you
can make it.
.
Take care, hope to see you soon
Love,
Clare xxx
Common phrases used in formal and informal letters
Formal Informal
Thank you for your letter of 22 January Just a quick note to say…
concerning…
I am writing to inquire about… I just wanted to say…
I am writing to inform you that… I thought I’d drop you a line to say…
I am pleased to inform you that… (It was) lovely to get your letter.
I regret to inform you that… Thank you / thanks so much for your letter.
I hope this information has been of use. Give my love to Peter.
Please give my regards to Peter Hogan. Say hi / hello to Peter from me.
Thank you for all you have done. It would be nice to meet up in the summer.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. We’d love to see you again soon.
Thanks once again for the delicious lunch.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Hope to see you before long.
© Cambridge University Press 2008