Business English

Business Correspondence

1.a. Opening (formal):

Dear     Sir
             Madam
             Mr. Smith
             Ms. Miller
             Professor White
             Dr. Green

1.b. Opening (for close business contact):

Dear     Peter


2. Reference:

With reference to...        your last email
Further to...


3. Apologies:

We apologize for...                the wrong product.
We are sorry for...
We are sorry that...               we have shipped the wrong product.


4. Reason for writing:

We are writing to...          inform you that...
We would like to...           ask you...
                                      confirm...
                                         request...

5. Making requests:

Could you possibly...?                                  send an attached file
We would appreciate it if you could...
We would be grateful if you could...


6. Thanking:

Thank you for...                      the immediate reply.
We appreciate that...              you replied immediately.


7. Agreeing to requests:

We would be...          pleased to...             send you some samples.
                                 delighted to...


8. Giving bad news:

I am afraid that...                              we cannot help you.
We regret to inform that...
Unfortunately...


9. Enclosing documents:

We are enclosing / attaching...                                the reports requested.
We have pleasure in enclosing / attaching...


10. Reference to future contact:

We look forward to...                    your reply.
                                                     meeting you at the conference.


11. Finishing:

Please let us know if...                     you need any help from us.
Please contact us again if ...            you have any further question.


12. Closing (Attention! Check Opening):

Opening (formal):                  Closing:

Dear Sir / Madam +              Yours faithfully,
receiver’s family name          Yours sincerely,

Opening (for close business contact):             Closing:

receiver’s family name                                        Best wishes,