Summary Formal and Informal Writing

Formal and informal writing
A British address: An American address:
Mr. P. Dickinson Mrs Polly Jones
12 Tavistock Street 50 Oakland Avenue
London Miami, Florida, 32101
WC2E 7PB United States of America
United Kingdom
Formal informal
Opening formula Dear Mr Black, Hi Maureen,
Dear Mrs Black, Hello Maureen,
Dear Ms Black,
Dear Miss Black,

Dear Sir, Madam,
Dear Sir/Madam,
Starting letter or Thank you for your letter/email Thanks for your letter/email.
email about..
Thanks for writing me.
Many thanks for your letter/email.
It was great to hear from you again.
I am writing to …..
 request information about I am writing to tell you about….
 inform you about
 complain about How are you?
How was your party/birthday/holiday…..?

Starting a review I have been requested to tell you I have been asked to tell you about …..
about ….

Final remarks in a I look forward to hearing from you. Hope to hear from you soon.
letter or an e-
mail I look forward to meeting you. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

I hope to hear from you at your I can’t wait to meet up soon.
earliest convenience.
Please write back soon!
Final remarks in a I would definitely recommend ….. If I were you, I would go for it.
review



Closing formula If you start with ‘Dear Sir or  Love,
Madam”, finish with  All the best,
Yours faithfully,  Keep in touch,
If you start with “Dear Mr Black”,  See you soon,
finish with  Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,  Best wishes,
Or use
Kind regards,