When drafting correspondence, whether a letter or a formal e-mail, it is important to inform the reader of the subject matter of your correspondence at the outset. In addition, one should be sure to conclude the correspondence with a clear articulation of any request for action or for a response.
Drafter’s Tip
Stock opening phrases
This is in reference to your letter of May 31.
We have received and thank you for the information you sent concerning…
We are in receipt of your…
This is to advise you that…
Pursuant to our conversation (your e-mail, your letter, your request),…
Further to our conversation…
Stock closing phrases
Thank you for your (prompt) attention to this matter.
I look forward to hearing from you (in the near future).
Please feel free to contact me if (should) you have any (further) questions.
I would appreciate a response by (date).
I will contact you after I have consulted with my client. (Avoid saying “I will revert to you”—native English speakers do not generally use that phrase.)
Smooth Transitions
Accordingly,
On one hand…on the other hand…
As you can see from the enclosed…
In light of …
For the time being…
Not only… but also
Notwithstanding the foregoing (the above, the aforesaid, the aforementioned)…
Bearing in mind…
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This information is priceless for non-native speakers like myself. Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell whether I’m being too informal or just “sounding weird” when drafting in English, so I really appreciate these tips, muchas gracias!