L1 Langue: Letter Format

FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE

LETTER OPENINGS

When writing to someone you know very little or not at all, the standard opening for formal correspondence is Dear.

If the name of the recipient is unknown usually you should write:

Dear Sir

Dear Madam

Dear Sir or Madam

If the name of the recipient is known you should write Dear followed by their surname:

Dear Mr Smith

Dear Mrs Smith

Dear Ms Smith

USEFUL PHRASES

Some useful phrases to begin your letter are:

I am writing in response to your advertisement in… (Publication e.g. The New York Times/The Guardian etc)

I wish to enquire about the vacancy for a (job title e.g. teaching assistant/swimming instructor etc.)

After having seen your advertisement in…., I would like….

With reference to…

Some useful phrases to end your letter are:

I look forward to your reply

I look forward to hearing from you

I look forward to meeting you

Thank you for considering this application

Thanking you in anticipation

I should be pleased to attend an interview

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

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me

Closure

If you know the name of the recipient e.g. Mrs Smith:

Yours sincerely,

Sincerely,

If you do not know the name of the recipient e.g. Madam

Yours faithfully

Some points to remember about the English format of a letter

* The address of the sender i.e. you, goes in the top right-hand corner (unlike the French format whereby it is on the left).

* The date the letter is written is situated just below the address and you do not write the town you are sending the letter from.

* The recipient’s address is placed on the left side, one or two lines below the level of the date.

* When closing the letter, ‘yours sincerely/yours faithfully is written on the left side of the page, below the last line.

General Correspondence

Some examples of closing phrases for acquaintances and formal situations:

Best Wishes

Kindest Regards

Alternatives for close friends and family:

All my love

All the best

Love

Lots of love

See you soon

With love and best wishes