IV.
Types of Letters: Useful Language
Useful Language for Letters Giving Advice
Formal
Opening » Thank you for your letter
remarks requesting …
» I am writing in reply to your
letter asking for advice about…
» I hope the following advice will
be of some help to you…
Suggestions » I strongly recommend that…
» I would suggest that…
» I believe the best course of
action is…
» I would advise you to…
» You should / ought to…
» If I were you I would….
Closing » I trust you will accept this advice.
remarks » I hope this will be of help.
» I would very much like to know if
this was helpful.
Useful Language for Letters of Complaint
Mild
Opening » I am writing to complain about /
remarks regarding / on account of /
because of / on the subject of…
» I am writing to draw your attention
to…
» I am writing to you in connection
with….
Closing » I hope / assume you will replace…
remarks » I trust the situation will improve.
» I hope the matter will be resolved.
» I hope we can sort this matter out
amicably.
Informal
» I just got your letter and I think
I can help you.
» I was sorry to hear about your
problem. Here’s what I think
you should do.
» Why don’t you…?
» You should / ought to…
» It would be a good idea to…
» What you should do is…
» How about…?
» I think you should…
» The best advice I can give you
is…
» Hope this has helped.
» Let me know what happens.
Strong
» I was appalled at…
» I want to express my strong
dissatisfaction with…
» I feel I must protest / complain
about…
» I insist you replace the item at
once.
» I demand a full refund.
» I hope that I will not be forced
to take further action.
Useful Language for Letters of Apology
Formal Informal
Opening » I am writing to apologise for… » I hope you will understand when I
remarks » I must apologise for… say that…
» Please accept my sincerest » What can I say, except I’m sorry
apologies for… that…
» How can I apologise enough » I’m sorry for…
for… » I owe you an apology.
» I must apologise profusely » I’m so sorry if I upset you in any
for… way.
» I can’t describe how sorry I am
and how guilty I feel.
Closing » Once again, sincerest » I hope you believe me when I say
remarks apologies for… how sorry I am.
» I hope you will accept my » I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
apologies. » I beg you to forgive me for…
» I hope my apologies will be / » There is no excuse for... and I
are accepted. hope you’ll forgive me.

Useful Language for Letters of Invitation

Formal Informal
Opening » We would be honoured if » I’m writing to invite you to…
remarks you… » I'd love it if you could come to…
» I cordially invite you to… » We're organising a ... and would
» Your presence would be love it if you could come.
appreciated at…
» You are invited to attend…
Closing » We would be grateful if you » I hope you’ll be able to make it.
remarks could… » Hope you can come.
» Please indicate whether you » Looking forward to seeing you
will be able to attend… then.
» Please let me know as soon as
possible.
Useful Language for Letters of Accepting an Invitation
Formal Informal
Opening » I am writing to thank you for » Thanks for the invitation to...
remarks the kind invitation. » … sounds lovely.
» Thank you for the kind » I’d love to come to...
invitation which I would be
honoured to accept.
Closing » I look forward to seeing you. » See you then.
remarks » We await the event with great » We’re really looking forward to it.
anticipation.

Useful Language for Letters of Refusing an Invitation

Formal
Opening » We thank you for your recent
remarks invitation to ... but…
» I regret to inform you that we
will be unable to accept your
kind invitation to ....
Closing » I am sorry to miss the
remarks opportunity of…
» Thank you again for the
invitation.
» I hope we will have the
opportunity to meet.
Informal
» Thanks for the invitation, but…
» Thanks for inviting me to ... , but
I'm afraid I can’t come.
» I hope we can get together some
other time.
» I’m really sorry we’ll have to miss
it.

Useful Language for Letters of Application (for a job)

Opening » I am writing with regard to your advertisement…
Remarks » I am writing to apply for the post / job / position of … which I saw
advertised in…
Reference to » For the last / past year I have been working as ... since / for...
experience » I have had experience of …
» Two years ago, I was employed as …
» I worked as ... before ...
Closing » I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
Remarks » Please contact me regarding any queries you may have.
» I enclose my CV and I would be glad to attend an interview at any time
convenient to you.
» I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Useful Language for Letters of Application (for a course)
Opening » I would like to apply for admission to the ...
Remarks » I would like to be considered for…
Reference to » I hold a certificate / degree in…
experience » I am due to take examinations in…
» I have taken / passed the ... examination.
» I hold the following qualifications.
» I have completed the following courses / degree course.
» My degree is in English.
Closing » I would appreciate reply at your earliest convenience.
Remarks » I look forward to meeting / hearing from you.
» Please contact me regarding any queries you may have.
» I enclose further details of my education and qualifications to date.
» I hope that you will consider me for entry.

Useful Language for Letters Requesting Information

Formal Informal
Opening » I am writing to inquire about / in » I want you to tell me…
Remarks connection with... » Can you let me know…?
To introduce » Could you possibly send…? » Can you send / tell me…
first request » I would be grateful if you could… » I want to know…
» Would it be possible for you to
tell / to send me…
» I would appreciate some
information about…
To introduce » Could you also please send me… » Can you also find out…?
further » Another matter I need » I also want to know…
requests information on is…
» I would also like some
information on…
Closing » I look forward to receiving… » Please let me know…
Remarks » I would appreciate it if you could » Send me the details…
inform me as soon as possible. » Tell me soon.
 Useful Language for Letters Giving Information
Formal Informal
Opening » I am writing in reply to your letter » This is what I found out.
Remarks asking for information about … » Remember the information
» I am writing to inform you about… you wanted?
» In reply to your query, … » You wanted me to tell you a
few things about…
Closing » I hope that I have been of some » I hope this will help you.
Remarks assistance to you. » Let me know if you need any
» Please inform me if I can be of any more help.
further assistance.
» I hope I have answered all your
questions.
» Please do not hesitate to contact
me if you require any further
information.

V. Useful Tips on VSTEP Writing Task 1

Remember to follow these steps when you do VSTEP Writing Task 1.

Step 1: Preparation – Understanding the task and the requirements:

» Think of some ideas for each question you are asked in the letter/email.
» Make notes for useful vocabulary.
» Expand your notes into a letter/email.
Step 2: Writing
» Greeting
» Stating why you are writing
» Answering question 1
» Answering question 2
» Answering question 3
» Closing
» Ending / sign-off
Step 3: Checking & Editing
Checking the content
» Are the three questions answered? Are the content and the style suitable?
Checking the language
» Are there any grammar, vocabulary, or spelling errors?
Checking the organization
» Is the letter well-organized? Are some connectors included?
» Has the letter / email been organized into logical paragraphs?