Formal letter

Starting

• We are writing you with reference to..
• With reference to your advertisement/letter of 10 March..
• We wish to remind you that..
• I am writing this letter to request..

Apologizing

• I'm sorry about...
• I'd like to apologize for...
• Please accept my apologies.
• Please accept my sincere apologies.

Asking for help

• I'd be grateful if you could...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• I would appreciate it if you could...
• Could you please...

Asking for information

• I am writing to enquire about...
• I am writing to find out about...
• I would like to know about/if...

Giving reasons

• This is due to... (formal)
• This is as a result of...(formal)
• This is owing to...(formal)

Thanking

• I can't thank you enough.
• No words can express my gratitude.
• I am extremely grateful for...

Suggesting

• Making suggestions
• Would it be a good idea to...
• Perhaps it would be a good idea to...

Conveying regards

• Please give my best regards to your family.
• Please pass on my best wishes to your wife and children.

Closing

• I look forward to seeing you.
• I look forward to hearing from you.

Informal letter

Starting

• Lovely to hear from you.
• How are you?
• How are things?
• Hope you're well.

Commenting on letter

• I'm sorry to hear/learn...
• What wonderful news about...
• I'm so pleased to hear ...

Introducing your topic

• Anyway, the reason I'm writing...
• I thought I'd write to tell/ask you...
• Anyway, I was wondering...

Closing

• Write back soon
• Looking forward to hearing from you again
• All the best
• Best wishes
• See you soon
• Take care
• Yours
• Love
• Lots of love