2BAC WRITING HINTS N’ TIPS FOR FORMAL LETTERS OR EMAILS

BAC WRITING HINTS N’ TIPS FOR FORMAL LETTERS OR EMAILS

Writing formal letters is a necessary skill that you need for most BAC exams. Below I suggest some writing help, useful phrases and writing hint n’ tips for formal letter writing.

EXAMPLES:

a. You are given an article to read from a newspaper. You write to the newspaper

disagreeing with the article.

b. You write to complain about something.

c. You write making suggestions about something.

d. You write requesting information.

e. You write giving information.

f. You write requesting permission.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR WRITING FORMAL LETTERS OR EMAILS

A) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS :

GREETINGS:

Dear Sir,

Dear Madam,

Dear Sir / Madam,

Dear Mr Brown,

Dear Ms Jones, etc.

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter

I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter

I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter

ENDING THE LETTER:

I look forward to receiving your reply.

I look forward to your reply.

I look to hearing from you.

I am yours faithfully (if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to)

I am yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to)

Yours faithfully,

Yours sincerely,

B) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS TO COMPLAIN:

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing in order to complain about

I am writing to complain about

INTRODUCING THE COMPLAINT:

Firstly,

In the first place,

First of all,

My first complaint is…..

The first problem is…..

The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is….

My first concern is…..

INTRODUCING FURTHER COMPLAINTS:

Secondly,

In the second place,

Not only …….but also…

In addition,

In addition to this,

Added to this,

…….was also unacceptable….



DEMANDING ACTION:

I suggest that you replace the item.

I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund.

I would be grateful if my money was refunded.

I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund.

ENDING THE LETTER:

I look forward to hearing from you.

I look forward to receiving a full refund.

I look forward to receiving a replacement.

I look forward to receiving your explanation.

C) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS:

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing to suggest….

I am writing to arrange…..

I am writing to offer suggestions

I am writing make arrangements…..

MAKING FIRST SUGGESTION:

My first suggestion is…..

First of all, I suggest….

I would like to suggest….

MAKING FURTHER SUGGESTIONS:

Another possibility is…..

A further possibility is…..

I further suggest…..

I would further suggest…..

Secondly,

OFFERING A CHOICE:

Would you therefore mind choosing between….?

Either……or

You might choose either ……. or…..

D) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS TO REQUEST INFORMATION

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing to receive further information about….

I am writing to enquire about….

I am writing to receive more detailed information about….

I am writing to receive further details about….

REQUESTING INFORMATION:

The first thing I would like to know is…

First of all I would like to know…

I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?

REQUESTING FURTHER INFORMATION:

Could you also tell me….?

Could you also inform me ….?

Would you also mind informing me ….?

Would you also mind telling me ….?

Do you know….?

I would also like to know if

I would also like to know whether

I hope you might also let me know about …

THANKING FOR INFORMATION:

I would like to thank you in advance for this information.

Thanking you in advance for this information.

Thanking you in advance.

E) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS TO GIVE INFORMATION:

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing to inform you about….

I am writing to provide you with information about….

I am writing to let you know that….

PROVIDING FIRST POINT:

The first thing I would like to inform you of is….

The first thing I would like to tell you is….

The first thing I wish to inform you of is….

I would like to begin by informing you….

PROVIDING FURTHER POINTS:

I would also like to let you know that….

I would also like to inform you that…..

You might also find the following information useful….

It might also be useful for you to know that….

Another piece of information that might be useful…..

ENDING THE LETTER:

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to as….

If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask….

I will willingly provide further information on request….

I am at your disposal should you require further information….

I am at your disposal should you need further assistance….

Please do not hesitate to ask should you require further information…..


F) WRITING FORMAL LETTERS TO REQUEST PERMISSION

REASON FOR WRITING:

I am writing to ask permission to….

I am writing to ask permission for…..

I am writing to request permission to…..

I am writing to request permission for…..

I am writing to ask if I might…..

MAKING FIRST REQUEST:

Firstly I wonder if you would…..

First of all I wonder whether you would mind…..

The first request I would like you to consider is…..

MAKING FURTHER REQUESTS:

I would be grateful if you would also consider…..

I wonder if it might be possible for me to…..

I would also like to request permission for…..

I would also like to request permission to…..

THANKING FOR PERMISSION

Many thanks for kindly considering my requests…..

Thank you for considering my requests…..