Writing formal letters for ESL students

Useful phrases

→ Begin the letter like this if you are not sure who the addressee
of the letter is
Dear Sir/Madam
To whom it might concern

→ State the reason why you are writing the letter

I am sending this email/letter in response to …
In this letter I would like to ask you about…
I'm writing to enquire about...
I am writing in response to your advertisement…
I am writing with regard to your article…
I am writing regarding your letter…
I am writing to obtain further information about…
I am writing to enquire about…

→Go on to ask your questions. Using the indirect (reported questions) is preferable. Instead of saying “What the
address of your company” consider saying “I wonder if you could tell me the address of your company”. You
could find the phrases below useful. Use the modals in the past (like could, might, would)

Above all, I would like to ask you ….

Initially, I would like to ask you about…
To begin with, could you provide us with further details about…
The first thing I would like to know is
I wonder if you would mind telling me
We would very much appreciate if you could …
Could you clarify some details concerning …
I would be grateful if you could provide me with the information about
I would like to request further details
Could you also inform me ….?
Would you also mind informing me ….?
It would also be very kind of you to send us …

Do not forget to thank the addressee and end your letter in a polite manner

I would like to thank you in advance for the details

Thank you for having the time to consider our concerns.
We appreciate your willingness to assist us with the issues.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
I appreciate any feedback you may have.
Many thanks for kindly considering my requests
Yours faithfully
Yours sincerely
 Writing formal letters for ESL students

Formal Language

→ It would be proper to use more formal words, instead of saying “As you said in your last email” consider
saying “As you mentioned in your last email”

give – provide
say – mention
need –require
want – wish/would like
receive – obtain
about – regarding / concerning
buy – purchase
answer – response (n) / respond (v)
tell – inform
a lot of – a great deal of
help – assist /aid
use – consume
go – depart
live – reside
at first – initially
so - therefore/ consequently
enough – sufficient
try – attempt
sort out – resolve
think – assume/presume
about – approximately (approx.)
fed up with - dissatisfied with
Because - Owing to / due to the fact that/As a result of
come – arrive
that’s why – for this reason
job - occupation
Task 1
 →Try to change the words in italics with more formal words

1. I want to ask for your help about the bicycle I bought in your shop.
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2. I am dissatisfied with your service, that’s why I am writing this letter.
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3. We use a lot of your products, so you must be interested to help us sort out the problem.
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Task 2
→Write a letter in response to the advertisement below.
Try to ask the indicated questions in order to obtain more information from the addressee

Do you need to change your phone? Buy the new Sony Smartphone. Our
shopping mall offers the best choice of various Sony Mobile models. We have a
special offer for students - if you buy one Smartphone you get a discount on the
accessories! Our shopping mall is situated in the centre of Tbilisi but we also have Which models namely?
branches in other regions. If you have any quieries, contact us at
mobilemall@yahoo.com.

How much discount?

Which regions? Do you have a
branch in Batumi?

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