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Questions tagged [letter-writing]

Questions about writing letters (that is, a written communication between people, not the writing of individual alphabetic characters).

Questions specific to the use of written English in letters. Letters means epistolary communications, not individual characters/glyphs in the alphabet.

192 questions
28
votes
6 answers

Difference between using Hi and Hey?

I am not a native speaker. I really want to know what's the difference between Hi and Hey in writing an email? In daily conversation? Is it too girlish or childish for a man to say hey in his email? What's the bottom line in using them?
Daniel
  • 423
20
votes
5 answers

What is the best way to express interest in a job in a cover letter?

It is for a cover letter, where I want to express my interest in the position and also to indicate that my profile matches the requirement. I find the proposed job interesting and matched by my profile and career goal. First, does "I find the…
zhanwu
  • 437
17
votes
5 answers

How to end a letter beginning with "To whom it may concern"

How should one end - ie, sign-off - a letter that begins with "To whom it may concern"?
bravokiloecho
  • 273
7
votes
3 answers

Does it sound weird to say " I hope I can be of any use (help) to you" in a cover letter?

Which one is better? Are they acceptable or do they sound weird in English?
user4032
4
votes
4 answers

Letter writing: Refering to enclosed items

I am writing a letter, in it I want to refer to other items enclosed within the letter, is there any proper way to do this? As an example of what I mean, I was thinking something like: ... my id card (see item 1 enclosed) ... And then having an…
Jessie
  • 143
  • 1
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3
votes
1 answer

How to correctly express a successful job (where others failed) in a cover letter

I was working on a project where the two other person before me failed to get the job done as expected. Basically that was the reason they hired me, and fortunately I did it better than expected. How can I express it in a proper English in the cover…
Mahdi
  • 329
3
votes
2 answers

“Is there a way you could/would accept?”

Is it correct to write this in a formal letter: My certificate is not valid anymore. Is there a way you could accept my expired certificate?" Or should I use would instead of could? And what is the difference between those two?
user1634619
  • 135
2
votes
2 answers

Starting a cover letter with "By this letter,…": correct?

In a cover letter (for a job application), is it correct to start the letter with "By this letter,…" (and then introduce the purpose of the letter)? this sounds a little strange to me, but there are some example of it on the internet. So, I would…
Eric O. Lebigot
  • 273
2
votes
1 answer

Why, after the salutation and name of addressee, followed by a comma, is the following word capitalized?

In a letter of any sort, why do most people capitalize the first word after the comma that follows the name of the addressee? I was taught (at Cambridge, England) not to do so! For example: Dear Mr. Black, in relation to our stated plan to.... etc.…
Sean A. Downes
  • 21
2
votes
1 answer

... regarding the advertised position of a researcher in the ... department

Which of the following should I use: I'm writing to you regarding the advertised position of a researcher in the ... department I'm writing to you regarding the advertised position for a researcher in the ... department I'm also interested in…
Rook
  • 347
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2
votes
3 answers

When to use double "L"?

First of all, English is not my first language, so please excuse me if my question sounds dumb. Secondly, I've seen this question but I don't believe it applies, tho I've been wrong before :P. For example: bravely is spelled with one…
Nicu Surdu
  • 123
1
vote
1 answer

Can I say "let me not speak about that matter"?

I was writing a letter and wanted to say let's not talk about something. I wanted to know if I can say "let me not to speak about that matter". Or I need to omit the "to" because of the verb let. Thank you.
Hoda. Jam
  • 19
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1
vote
1 answer

Address a group, then direct a message to a particular person

Example: To all whom it may concern, (this is a letter to a group) Body of the message directed to the entire group here Concluding that, direct a message to a specific person, for an acknowledgment or to show gratitude How should I go about the…
Expectator
  • 121
1
vote
1 answer

The usage of 'Yours sincerely' and 'Yours faithfully'

I need some help in why you need to use 'Yours sincerely' when you do know the name of the participant receiving the letter and 'Yours faithfully' when you don't. To simplify it what is the history or reference that set these rules in English…
user63671
  • 21
1
vote
0 answers

What term is used for a person who prefers to communicate in writing as opposed to speaking?

This is my first post, so please forgive me if my question has already been answered. I looked through the list quickly, but didn't see anything similar.
saderitalia
  • 11
1
2