Questions tagged [letter-writing]
Questions about writing letters (that is, a written communication between people, not the writing of individual alphabetic characters).
171
questions
-1
votes
1answer
17 views
Validity of “Kindly grant the news an appropriate place…” [closed]
While writing a formal letter to the editor, a person writes at the end:
Kindly grant the news an appropriate place in your newspaper.
I saw this sentence for the first time.
How would a native ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
How do I address a query letter to a publisher?
I want to write a letter to an independent publisher. Enclosed with the letter is a partial manuscript of my book, which I want to mention. Here is the beginning of the letter I recently wrote to an ...
-1
votes
0answers
7 views
What should I address while there are two women teachers? [migrated]
I have to write a note to my course teachers and both of them are women. So, how should I address them? Dear Ma'ams or Dear Madames or anything else?
4
votes
2answers
129 views
What function does the comma serve in the salutation of a letter, and when did it come about?
In a letter, we say "Dear Alexthecampbell," before starting the body. We then capitalize the first letter of the next sentence.
Since the salutation functions like a header and isn't part ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Something like P.S. but before the text?
I wrote a letter (electronic) to someone yesterday but could not send it and fell asleep. Now if I want to send it today it will make less sense as it was written in context of yesterday. So I have ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Can I say this “your … is impressive” to my professor? [closed]
I am writing an email request for a reference letter to one of my professors. I would like to address her kindness in my email because she was always very patient when I asked her questions.
My ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
How do you title a letter to a family surname? [duplicate]
I am writing a letter to some family members and it is a thank you to a whole family. Would it be written as
Dear Smiths,? Do I need an apostrophe, so it is Dear Smith's? What if it ends in an s like ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
'Due shortly' collocation
I would like to ask a question whether provided below sentence is correct or not:
'As the deadline for registration is due shortly,(...)'.
Main issue here is the phrase: "...is due shortly". I am ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Meaning of “Dear” in context [closed]
is there any difference between the meaning of the word "Dear" in the letter as greeting?
For example:
Dear Dr. Tse,
Dear Mom and Dad,
I think there might be a difference in the meaning of ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Should I end with “Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully” when writing to editor? [duplicate]
I've read from other questions here that we should use "Yours sincerely" when we know the name of the recipient and "Yours faithfully" if we're writing to "Sir/Madam". Then what about "Dear Editor" ...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
Can I use alma mater before graduating?
I'm currently writing cover letters for my next position, and I want to refer to the institution I will graduate from. Can I use the term alma mater despite not graduating yet?
Thanks!
2
votes
1answer
232 views
How to greet two person in the beginning of a letter/email? [closed]
Dear Prof. Hartman,
Dear Prof. Dore,
Thank you very much for letting me know about the result of my
application.
or
Dear Prof. Hartman and Prof. Dore,
Thank you very much for ...
1
vote
1answer
455 views
“a couple of things” in a formal letter?
Is it inadequate to use "a couple of things" in a formal letter? If so, what word or phrase would work better?
Example:
I`m writing to inquire about a couple of things regarding my new job ...
1
vote
0answers
66 views
Are email salutations regional?
Best wishes is very popular ending for emails and replaces best regards in almost all emails I've received from academics in Cambridge (UK).
At the same time I've never seen this used by American ...
0
votes
1answer
887 views
Subject of an email [closed]
So my native language is Spanish and I'm about to write an email to a colleague in English asking about several stuff. While doing so I started wondering about the subject of the email I was writing ...
0
votes
1answer
754 views
The usage of Formal Words in writing - interested [closed]
I was writing a letter and I wonder whether the usage of interested in a formal letter could be considered as a formal word. Also if there are synonyms which are more appropriate to use in formal ...
0
votes
1answer
4k views
Can I use 'Yours sincerely' when I write 'Dear Parent'?
As a teacher can I sign off a generic letter to the parents of my class 'Yours sincerely' if I have addressed them as 'Dear Parent'? Or should it be 'Yours faithfully'?
1
vote
2answers
261 views
When to use mid-sentence commas when adding a formal name
Where is it appropriate to insert a comma when putting a persons name in the middle of a sentence, such as when writing an email or letter. Is it really before AND after?
Examples:
Thank you for ...
0
votes
1answer
5k views
How can I say I am unable to attend in a professional way? [closed]
How can I say "I cannot attend to the award ceremony since Im in abroad" in a professional way.. to ask how can I get my certificate if I unable to attend..
1
vote
1answer
127 views
Letters as Words [closed]
When two letters or glyphs are joined into one glyph as a ligature, is this glyph considered two letters or one, as letters on their own are considered words as D and S, when two letters are joined as ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
When is it appropriate to send Seasons Greetings?
During what time of the year is it appropriate to close semi-formal written conversation with "Season's Greetings"?
Obviously sometime around December 25th, but how much in advance and how much past ...
1
vote
1answer
696 views
“While I'm here”, but in writing
Sometimes, there are little things that we would like to write to somebody, but they seem too little to deserve an entire new email.
So we wait for a more important communication to "piggyback&...
20
votes
2answers
9k views
Pronunciation of PhD
Why is PhD read as /piːeɪtʃˈdiː/ (from Oxford Dictionary) and not, for example, like /fˈdiː/ , while diagraph ph is read as /f/ in Latin and Greek words? Why do we write Ph if not to represent the /f/...
0
votes
1answer
109 views
Letters vs. Ligatures [closed]
I have come across some typography ligatures involving “f” and other letters as one glyph, I was wondering whether a ligature glyph is considered one alternate letter or still two letters after they ...
2
votes
1answer
350 views
Opening and closing a letter - is there a name for this style?
Sorry if this isn’t the right place for this question, but I’ve Googled high and low and found nothing.
I’ve noticed that some letters start and close with handwriting, e.g. “Dear Mrs Smith” and “...
3
votes
2answers
565 views
Use of encl. at the bottom of a cover letter where the body of the text already explains this
I am submitting a grant request. The package will include four copies of the grant request, an executive summary, and a cover letter. The cover letter is very short and says in part "I have included ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
14k views
Appropriate response to Best wishes [closed]
I always feel uneasy about letter endings. I sometimes use (1) Yours
sincerely, (2) Yours faithfully, and (3) Yours &c. But none of these seem an
appropriate response to a correspondent's Best ...
1
vote
1answer
25k views
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
93 views
When one thing is over, the next is just around the corner [closed]
I'm looking for an appropriate phrase to finish a semi-formal letter to a colleague.
I'm thanking him for his cooperation and looking forward to the next event we'll be preparing together. At the ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Can a faculty be based on area1 and area2?
I've been writing a motivation letter for a grad school. The faculty I'm applying to is a "The Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics". I want to emphasize that it is an interdisciplinary faculty ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
E-mail greeting: “Dear Brice,” vs “Brice,” [closed]
I am somewhat sensitive to politeness and basic rules of courtesy, so (almost) all the e-mails that I write contain greetings and salutations, such as:
Dear Jane,
[...]
Best,
...
0
votes
2answers
6k views
The origin of Yours Sincerely and Yours Faithfully
It is common knowledge that Yours sincerely is the phrase used to end a formal letter that is sent to a particular person. And Yours faithfully is used at the end of a formal letter beginning with "...
0
votes
2answers
159 views
share a link about location in email
I want to write an email and apply for a "call for projects". I want to share the google map link of the location that I want to run the project at in my email.
Are these sentences correct? ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
Opening line for business email before christmas [closed]
Can I use the below opening line for an email to a client
"Hi XYZ
Hope you are doing good. I'm sure you must be looking forward to the Christmas now.
Did you get chance to look into blah blah blah ...
2
votes
0answers
60k views
What phrases can I use instead of “don't worry about it” in a semi-formal letter [closed]
Good morning, Stack Exchange! First time inquirer here.
I'm drafting a reply to an email from a scholarly peer, who apologized for not getting something to me sooner. I really don't mind the delay, ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
'We communicated a few weeks ago' in an Email
I am writing an email that has not to be formal. I am trying to translate a phrase from Spanish that goes: 'Nos comunicamos hace unas semanas.' The literal translation would be 'We communicated a few ...
2
votes
1answer
119k views
I hope you can help me in this matter // is it correct? [closed]
I am writing a letter to the company with attached CV.
This company can manage accreditation process and provide world leading task management and support for a specific type of job.
In the end of my ...
1
vote
1answer
12k views
Do you use “to whom it may concern:” with “Dear Mr./Mrs” or only pick one?
I've seen example where people use both, for example:
To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Mr.,
I am writing to apply...
OR is the correct usage this:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to apply...
...
1
vote
3answers
8k views
How to address a formal letter to a group of women
How do you address a formal letter to a group of women - i.e. the equivalent of Dear Sirs, for women?
0
votes
2answers
67k views
Which expression is correct? “I've already started working on it” or “I've already started to work on it” [duplicate]
today i attended an interview. The employer told me that I should know some skills about the job. Today I am going to start to work on those skills. Now, I am writing a "thank you for the interview" ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
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.
0
votes
2answers
1k views
How do you reply this letter in a formal way? [closed]
Hi Ryan,
We refer to our conversation on 30 January 2017, you have mentioned that it is not your usual practice to throw away the washing dryer without consulting us.
Please clarify.
How am I ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
Is 'Yours hopefully' formal or informal?
Recently, I had to write an email to one of my professors regarding an urgent matter. I was basically asking him for some guidance in the matter.
I am not a native speaker and normally I end my ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Help me undersand what Emily Dickinson means in this letter
From Dickinson's correspondence with Thomas Higginson:
I smile when you suggest that I delay "to publish" -- that being
foreign to my thought, as Firmament to Fin.
If fame belonged to me, I ...
0
votes
3answers
2k views
In this case do I use ability or abilities?
I am currently writing a cover letter and I want to make sure that this sentence is correct. I believe it is, however, my brain won't let me stop looking at it. For this sentence to be correct does it ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Signing a letter for a position you previously held
I need to write a letter of recommendation for past (adult) students of mine. I no longer hold the position as the institution went bankrupt. I want to include my previous title on the letter, how can ...
1
vote
1answer
132 views
How to approach to business mails when the sender starts becoming a bit informal? [closed]
I am sharing emails repeatedly with a woman who is sharing a prospect for a job with me.
It started with "Dear Candidate"
Then
"Dear (my name)"
On the other hand, each time I have been replying to ...
0
votes
2answers
202 views
avoid repetition of “information” [closed]
I am writing letter of confirmation and I don`t know how to avoid repetition of word information in these sentences:
Thank you for this information.
I am writing to confirm that I received ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
What is 'more correct' way to finish the letter? [closed]
Is it
Hope to hear from you soon.
or
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
or neither?
