{"id":4654,"date":"2019-06-11T08:15:06","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T07:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garapena.baiby.com\/?p=4654"},"modified":"2019-07-19T07:42:27","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T06:42:27","slug":"how-to-write-a-formal-letter-or-email-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baiby.com\/en\/how-to-write-a-formal-letter-or-email-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write a formal letter or email in English"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here, we will explain to you how to write a formal letter or email in English, together with some tips on how to write fluently and communicate appropriately with other branches or international companies in business settings.<\/p><\/p>\n

One of the biggest challenges that students of English and business people in general face, is writing a formal letter or email in English.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although it is a common task when preparing Cambridge exams<\/u><\/strong>, when we have to apply what we have learned out of the confines of the classroom, we have doubts and we are afraid of not writing appropriately.<\/p>\n

Below we will refresh how to write a formal letter or email, so that you can find and build confidence in your writing ability in English.<\/p>\n

Tips for writing formal letter or emails in English<\/h2>\n

First of all, consider the degree of formality you should write in. When we used to write on paper, letters were very formal. Nowadays, technology is opening a wide range of possibilities with our target readers. In this case, we will focus on the formal style, a critical element of how business writing is conducted today.<\/p>\n

Opening\/Salutation<\/h3>\n

If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use:<\/p>\n

Dear Sir or Madam,<\/em><\/p>\n

To Whom It May Concern<\/em> (a qui\u00e9n corresponda)<\/p>\n

Organisation<\/h3>\n

Before you begin writing, think about how you will structure the content and organise your ideas.<\/p>\n

These are the basic parts of a formal letter or email in English:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introduction<\/li>\n
  2. Body text<\/li>\n
  3. Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Introduction<\/h3>\n

    The opening of a formal letter or email requires the sender to introduce themselves: \u201cMy name is\u2026\u201d. <\/em>Then, you should go on by saying who you are writing to or what you are responding to. Use expressions like these:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • I am writing with regard to\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • I am emailing in reference to<\/em><\/li>\n
    • In replay to your email, I\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • I am contacting you to\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • I would like\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • We are writing in connection with\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • In response to your former email\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • We are interested in\u2026 and would like to know\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
    • We carefully considered your proposal and\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      As you can see, in the heading of an email you should not use the present simple but the present continuous.<\/p>\n

      Body text<\/h3>\n

      In order to explain what you have to say, keep it short and stick to simple grammar forms; do not use rhetorical flourishes or complex forms because it will make it harder to figure out what you want or need from them, and it might give yourself away.<\/p>\n

      Connectors<\/u><\/strong> and appropriate vocabulary can be very useful. Resort to online dictionaries<\/u><\/strong> if necessary.<\/p>\n

      Some of these set phrases can be of much help.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • We are able to confirm that\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
      • Just a note to say\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
      • Please, could you\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n
      • This is an urgent matter\u2026<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Conclusion<\/h3>\n

        In the conclusion, you should thank them for their attention with expressions such as:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Thank you for your help.<\/em><\/li>\n
        • I look forward to hearing from you.<\/em><\/li>\n
        • Thanks in advance.<\/em><\/li>\n
        • Let me know if you need anything else.<\/em><\/li>\n
        • If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Closing<\/h3>\n

          These are the most common closings to be used in a formal letter or email:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Yours sincerely,<\/em><\/li>\n
          • Respectfully,<\/em><\/li>\n
          • Yours cordially,<\/em><\/li>\n
          • Yours faithfully,<\/em><\/li>\n
          • We recommend you write your full name, your position, the name of the company you are working in, and other contact details such as a phone number or a website.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Other style tips:<\/h4>\n
              \n
            1. Be careful! The subject line is important, too. Get to the point, use a short and accurate one.<\/li>\n
            2. Avoid contractions in formal writings.<\/li>\n
            3. Always stick to the same font.<\/li>\n
            4. Do not write in all caps.<\/li>\n
            5. Do not use text abbreviations.<\/li>\n
            6. Avoid emoticons.<\/li>\n
            7. Formal letters\/emails should be organized in no longer than five-line paragraphs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Finally, proofread the text several times. The importance of English in the business world<\/u> <\/strong>is obvious and we should avoid, as far as possible, making mistakes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              One of the biggest challenges that students of English and business people in general face, is writing a formal letter or email in English. Although it is a common task when preparing Cambridge exams, when we have to apply what we have learned out of the confines of the classroom, we have doubts and we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[118],"tags":[350,365,373],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n