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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Writing letters

Hi everybody!

We were discussing writing formal letters in my English class and since I'm not a native speaker these forms (e.g.: starting your letter with Dear Sir or Madam or To whom it may concern and ending it with Yours faithfully) sound odd to me. That's why I'd like to know to what extent are such forms used in today English because nowadays we mainly use e-mails that differ from "written formal letters". So, in what cases woud you handwrite or print and send you letter by regular mail, would you use "standard formal" forms? Do you have to consider all the formal forms when writing e-mails as well?

Thanks for your answers.

Regards!
  

Top answer

Yes, we use formal letters - on paper - in the business world every day. And yes, the format of the letter is important to convey the "business-like" tone of the letter. In fact, important letters to customers aren't supposed to go out without being run past me or one of my colleagues to check the grammar and the format and such things to ensure it represents a professional image.

  • Yes, we use formal letters - on paper - in the business world every day.
  • And yes, the format of the letter is important to convey the "business-like" tone of the letter.
  • In fact, important letters to customers aren't supposed to go out without being run past me or one of my colleagues to check the grammar and the format and such things to ensure it represents a professional image.
  • I would say that handwritten letters are reserved for thank you notes and letters of sympathy.
  • You may use e-mail for letters of congratulations, but a handwritten one is still nice too.
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1 Answers
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Yes, we use formal letters - on paper - in the business world every day. And yes, the format of the letter is important to convey the "business-like" tone of the letter. In fact, important letters to customers aren't supposed to go out without being run past me or one of my colleagues to check the grammar and the format and such things to ensure it represents a professional image.

I woul

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