Phrases for Personal and Social Correspondence
Openings:
The standard opening for personal correspondence is Dear but variations include:
- My dear …
- My dearest …
- Darling …
Useful phrases:
- Thank you for your letter [inviting, offering, confirming]
- I am delighted to announce that
- I am very grateful to you for [letting me know, offering, writing]
- I was delighted to hear that
- It was so kind of you to [write, invite, send]
- I am sorry to inform you that
- Many thanks for [sending, inviting, enclosing]
- I was so sorry to hear that
- I am writing to tell you that
Closures :
- For acquaintances and formal situations
- Best wishes
- With best wishes
- Kindest regards
Affectionate variations for close friends and family:
- All my love
- See you soon
- All the best
- Once again many thanks
- Love
- I look forward to seeing you soon
- Lots of love
- With love and best wishes
- Much love
- With love to you all
- With love
- Do give my kindest regards to …
Openings:
The standard opening for formal correspondence is:
- Dear
- Dear Sir
- Dear Mr
- Dear Madam
- Dear Mrs
- Dear Sir or Madam
- Dear Ms
- Dear Sirs
Useful phrases:
- I am writing in response to your advertisement in [publication]
- Thank you for your letter of [date] offering me the post of
- I am writing to apply for the post of
- I am delighted to accept the position of [job title]
- I should be pleased to attend an interview
- I look forward to starting work with you
Closures:
- Thank you for considering this application
- I should be pleased to attend an interview
- Please do not hesitate to contact me on the above number if you should require further information
- I look forward to hearing from you
- If you know the name of the person use:
- Yours sincerely
- If you don’t know the name of the person use: Yours faithfully
Openings:
The standard opening for formal correspondence is:
- Dear
- Dear Sir
- Dear Mr
- Dear Madam
- Dear Mrs
- Dear Sir or Madam
- Dear Ms
- Dear Sirs
Useful phrases:
- Thank you for your letter of [date] concerning
- I apologise for the delay in replying
- Thank you for sending me a [catalogue, quotation]
- As stated in your letter/fax of [date]
- Thank you for your enquiry of [date]
- I wish to draw your attention to the
- I refer to your letter of [date] concerning
- I wish to inform you that
- Further to our telephone conversation of [date]
- I am writing to inform you that
- I am writing to confirm our telephone conversation of [date]
- I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with
- I would be grateful if you could forward me a [price list, catalogue]
- Please note that
- I am contacting you regarding
- Please find enclosed
- I am writing to complain
Closures:
- I look forward to hearing from you
- I trust that you will give this matter your urgent attention
- I look forward to hearing your response
- I hope you can settle this matter to my satisfaction
- I would be most grateful if you would look into this matter as soon as possible
- Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information
- Please let me know as soon as possible what action you propose to take
- Please contact me if you require further details
- If you know the person’s name use:
- Yours sincerely
- If you don’t know the person’s name use:
- Yours faithfully
