Useful phrases for writing

Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction

I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction with... I am not happy about...

I'm writing to express my annoyance with... ...was very disappointing.

Thanking

Thanks. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you kindly.

I can't thank you enough. No words can express my gratitude.

I am extremely grateful for...

Requests

I’m writing to ask for your help/you (if you could do me) a favour.

I wonder if/I was wondering if you could help me/do me a favour.

I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly) …?

I’d be very/really/terribly grateful if you could …

Making a request

We would appreciate it if you would ... I would be grateful if you could ...

Could you please send me ... Could you possibly tell us / let us have ...

In addition, I would like to receive ... It would be helpful if you could send us ...

I am interested in (obtaining / receiving) ... Please let me know what action you propose to take.

Asking questions

I would be grateful if … I wonder if you could …

Could you …? Could you tell me something about …? I would particularly like to know …

I would be interested in having more details about …

Complaining

I am writing to complain about … You said … but in fact what happened …

We were supposed to stay with British families whereas we actually stayed in a guest house.
Closing

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Signing off

Yours sincerely, (If you started with 'Dear + surname') or Yours faithfully, (If you started with

'Dear Sir/Madam')
 Letter of application
Dear Mr/Ms (surname), Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam,

Reason for writing

I am writing to apply for the post/position of … as advertised in …

I am writing with reference/in response to your advertisement, which I saw …
I am writing in connection with your advertisement in the Daily Star on May 11th …
With reference to your advertisement …

Experience / Qualifications / CV

I gained some experience while …

I am currently working as …
I have been working for … for the last four years.
I worked part-time for three years as …
At the moment I am employed by …
My qualifications include …
I have a diploma in …
I graduated from Barcelona University last year with a degree in …
Please find attached my CV
As you can see from the attached CV …

Endings

Please do not hesitate to contact me if/should you require further information.

I look forward to hearing from you.
I am available for interview at your convenience.
I shall be available for interview any day apart from Wednesdays.

Signing off

(If Dear + surname) Yours sincerely,

(If Dear Sir/Madam) Yours faithfully,

First name + surname

Essay
Making points

Many people feel that ... First and foremost, ...

It is widely believed that ... It would be ideal if ...

Another argument in favour is ... It is clear from the facts that ...

The benefits of ... outweigh the disadvantages. On the whole, I think ...

Contrasting points

On the other hand ... Other people think ...

An opposing argument is ... Giving opinions

I personally feel that ... I find it hard to see why ...

I certainly don't believe that ... It is difficult to believe that ...

I object to the cloning of animals.

Organising and linking your ideas

First of all, … Secondly, … In addition, …

Moreover, … Furthermore, …

So … As a result, … Therefore, …

However, … On the one hand…/On the other hand …

On the whole … While it is true to say …

Finally, … To summarise, … In conclusion

Sample Letters
Letter of application:
Dear Sir or Madam,

I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the
position of lifeguard assistant, which I saw advertised in my university's student newspaper.

I am 20 years old and at present I am studying Physical Education. I am a strong swimmer

and have recently had first aid training. I very much enjoy working with people and for the
last two summers I have been working as an assitant ranger in a National Park, where I had
to provide information to the public about using the park and provide emergency assistance
to park users. Now I am looking for something different.

I think I would be a suitable candidate for the position because I have been described as
calm in a crisis and someone who works well with others.

I am available for the whole of August and would be happy to attend an interview at any
time. I look forward to hearing from you at any time in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Ivan Ivienen

Letter of complaint

Customer Services Manager

Evans Electrical Products

7 Swan Street

Sydney

NSW 2011

Subject: EasyIron Electric Iron (Model No. 2279)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the above iron, which I purchased from The
Electrical Store in Newtown on 10 October, 2015.

On using it for the first time, I found that the temperature control was faulty; it was not
possible to set it for any temperature apart from the highest, for cotton.

When I attempted to return the iron to the store, the cashier said that the store was
unable to replace it or offer me a refund but advised me that it could be sent away for
repair. As I need an iron on a daily basis, and it was not clear how long a repair would take,
this option was unsatisfactory.

As the iron clearly does not function as it should and therefore does not comply with the
legal standards of product quality, I am writing to you to ask for a full refund of the
£35.99 retail price.

I look forward to hearing from you within the next two weeks.

Yours truly,