Suggested Opening and Closing sentences

“Applying or Submitting” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

(Applications will very

likely only be semi- I am writing to let you know I am I am writing to express my
Opening formal or formal) interested in … interest in …

Thank you for your

(Applications will very Thank you for considering me for consideration of my
likely only be semi- this, and I hope to hear from you application and I look
Closing formal or formal) soon. forward to your reply.

“Apologizing or Offering Condolences” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to let you know I wanted to let you know I am I am writing to apologize for
Opening how sorry I am that … sorry that … …

Again, I’m so sorry for

this situation and Again, my apologies for this Again, my apologies for this
thank you for situation and thank you for your situation and thank you for
Closing understanding. understanding. your understanding.

“Complaining” letters
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to tell you how I would like to let you know how I am writing to express my
Opening upset I am about … upset I am about … dissatisfaction with …

Thanks for Thanks for understanding my Thank you for your

understanding how I’m point of view about this difficult understanding of this
Closing feeling about this. situation. situation.

“Complaining + Suggesting Solution” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to tell you how I would like to let you know how I am writing to express my
Opening upset I am about … upset I am about … dissatisfaction with …

Thanks for Thanks for understanding this

understanding this difficult situation and I am Thank you for your
difficult situation and I hopeful we can work this issue understanding of this issue
Closing hope we can figure out out soon. and I look forward to your
 a solution for this issue prompt reply to resolve this
soon. issue.

“Giving Information” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want let you know I am writing to let you know that I am writing to inform you
Opening that … … know that …

Please let me know if you

Please let me know if Please let me know if you have have any questions regarding
Closing this all makes sense. any questions about any of this. any of the above.

“Inviting” letters
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I hope you are doing I hope this letter finds you

well! Would you be well. I am writing to formally
Opening interested in … I am writing to invite you to … invite you to …

I look for to hearing I look for to your response

from you and I hope I look for to your response and I and I hope you will be able to
Closing you can attend! hope you can attend. attend.

“Requesting Help” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

Can you help me with I am writing to ask for your help

Opening …? with… I am writing to request that …

Thanks in advance and Thank you in advance any help Thank you for your time and
I hope to hear from you can give and I hope to hear effort on my behalf and I look
Closing you soon! from you soon. forward to your reply.

“Requesting Information” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

My apologies for bother you,

Sorry to bother you, but I am but I am wondering if you
Can you tell me about hoping to get some information could provide me with
Opening … about … information about …
 Thank you for your time and
Thanks in advance and Thank you in advance any effort regarding this request
I hope to hear from information you can give and I and I look forward to your
Closing you soon! hope to hear from you soon. reply.

“Thanking someone” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I hope you are doing

well! I just want to I am writing to offer my sincere
Opening thank you for … I am writing to thank you for … thanks for …

So, thank you once more for

So, once again thank Again, thank you for helping out your assistance with … and if
you so much for … , with … and please let me know if there is anything I can do for
and if I can ever return there is anything I can do to you in the future, please do not
Closing the favor just ask! return the favor. hesitate to contact me.