Suggested Opening and Closing sentences

“Applying or Submitting” letters 

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

(Applications will very likely

only be semi-formal or I am writing to let you know I I am writing to express my interest
Opening formal) am interested in … in …

(Applications will very likely Thank you for considering me Thank you for your consideration of
only be semi-formal or for this, and I hope to hear my application and I look forward to
Closing formal) from you soon. your reply.

“Apologizing or Offering Condolences” letters 

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to let you know how I wanted to let you know I am

Opening sorry I am that … sorry that … I am writing to apologize for …

Again, I’m so sorry for this Again, my apologies for this Again, my apologies for this
situation and thank you for situation and thank you for your situation and thank you for your
Closing understanding. understanding. understanding.
“Complaining” letters 
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to tell you how upset I I would like to let you know how I am writing to express my
Opening am about … upset I am about … dissatisfaction with …

Thank you for your

Thanks for understanding Thanks for understanding my point understanding of this
Closing how I’m feeling about this. of view about this difficult situation. situation.

“Complaining + Suggesting Solution” letters

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want to tell you how upset I I would like to let you know I am writing to express my
 Opening am about … how upset I am about … dissatisfaction with …

Thanks for understanding this Thanks for understanding this Thank you for your
difficult situation and I hope we difficult situation and I am understanding of this issue and
can figure out a solution for this hopeful we can work this I look forward to your prompt
 Closing issue soon. issue out soon. reply to resolve this issue.
“Giving Information” letters 
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I want let you know that I am writing to let you know that I am writing to inform you know that
 Opening … … …

Please let me know if you have any

Please let me know if Please let me know if you have questions regarding any of the
 Closing this all makes sense. any questions about any of this. above.

“Inviting” letters
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I hope this letter finds you well. I

I hope you are doing well! I am writing to invite you to am writing to formally invite you to
Opening Would you be interested in … … …

I look for to hearing from you I look for to your response I look for to your response and I
Closing and I hope you can attend! and I hope you can attend. hope you will be able to attend.
“Requesting Help” letters
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I am writing to ask for your help

Opening Can you help me with …? with… I am writing to request that …

Thanks in advance and I Thank you in advance any help Thank you for your time and effort
hope to hear from you you can give and I hope to hear on my behalf and I look forward
Closing soon! from you soon. to your reply.

“Requesting Information” letters 

Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

Sorry to bother you, but I am My apologies for bother you, but I

Can you tell me about hoping to get some information am wondering if you could provide
Opening … about … me with information about …

Thanks in advance and Thank you in advance any Thank you for your time and effort
I hope to hear from you information you can give and I regarding this request and I look
Closing soon! hope to hear from you soon. forward to your reply.
“Thanking someone” letters 
Formality INFORMAL SEMI-FORMAL FORMAL

I hope you are doing well! 

I just want to thank you for I am writing to thank you for I am writing to offer my sincere
Opening … … thanks for …

So, thank you once more for your

So, once again thank you Again, thank you for helping assistance with … and if there is
so much for … , and if I out with … and please let me anything I can do for you in the
can ever return the favor know if there is anything I can future, please do not hesitate to
Closing just ask! do to return the favor. contact me.