Useful Phrases for writing formal letters

a) Writing formal letters generally:

Greetings:

• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr Brown
• Dear Ms Jones

Reason for writing:

• I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter 

Ending the letter:

• I look forward to receiving your reply
• I look forward to your reply
• I look to hearing from you
• I am, yours faithfully (if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to)
• I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to)
• Yours faithfully

Yours sincerely

b) Writing formal letters to complain:

Reason for writing:

• I am writing in order to complain about
• I am writing to complain about
•  

Introducing the complaint:

• Firstly
• In the first place
• First of all
• My first complaint is
• The first problem is
• The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is
• My first concern is 

Introducing further complaints:

• Secondly
• In the second place
• Not only …….but also
• In addition
• In addition to this
• Added to this
• …….was also unacceptable 

Demanding action:

• I suggest that you replace the item
• I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund
• I would be grateful if my money was refunded
• I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund

Ending the letter:

• I look forward to hearing from you
• I look forward to receiving a full refund
• I look forward to receiving a replacement
• I look forward to receiving your explanation
•  

c) Writing formal letters to make suggestions:

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to suggest
• I am writing to arrange
• I am writing to offer suggestions
• I am writing make arrangements 

Making first suggestion:

• My first suggestion is
• First of all I suggest
• I would like to suggest

Making further suggestions:

• Another possibility is
• A further possibility is
• I further suggest
• I would further suggest
• Secondly 

Offering a choice:

• Would you therefore mind choosing between ….?
• Either……or
• You might choose either ……. Or
•  

d) Writing formal letters to request information

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to receive further information about
• I am writing to enquire about
• I am writing to receive more detailed information about
• I am writing to receive further details about

Requesting first piece of information:

• The first thing I would like to know is
• First of all I would like to know
• I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?
•  

Requesting further information:

• Could you also tell me….?
• Could you also inform me ….?
• Would you also mind informing me ….?
• Would you also mind telling me ….?
• Do you know ….?
• I would also like to know if
• I would also like to know whether
• I hope you might also let me know about …

Thanking for information:

• I would like to thank you in advance for this information
• Thanking you in advance for this information
• Thanking you in advance
•  

e) Writing formal letters to give information:

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to inform you about
• I am writing to provide you with information about
• I am writing to let you know that
•  

Providing first point:

• The first thing I would like to inform you of is
• The first thing I would like to tell you is
• The first thing I wish to inform you of is
• I would like to begin by informing you
•  

Providing further points:

• I would also like to let you know that
• I would also like to inform you that
• You might also find the following information useful
• It might also be useful for you to know that
• Another piece of information that might be useful

Ending the letter:

• If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask
• If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask
• I will willingly provide further information on request
• I am at your disposal should you require further information
• I am at your disposal should you need further assistance
• Please do not hesitate to ask should you require further information

f) Writing formal letters to request permission

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to ask permission for
• I I am writing to ask permission to
• am writing to request permission to
• I am writing to request permission for
• I am writing to ask if I might

Making first request:

• Firstly I wonder if you would
• First of all I wonder whether you would mind
• The first request I would like you to consider is

Making further requests:

• I would be grateful if you would also consider
• I wonder if it might be possible for me to
• I would also like to request permission for
• I would also like to request permission to

Thanking for permission

• Many thanks for kindly considering my requests
• Thank you for considering my requests