En esta lección obtendremos información de cómo

escribir cartas de negocios.

We write business letters for different reasons, for

example:

- making or answering requests

- giving or asking for information

- making an apology

- making a proposal

Remember: a job application cover letter is also a kind

of business letter!

In the speaking lesson we learned how to use polite phrases.

Here are some more useful phrases for business letters.

Opening Phrases
With reference to your letter of...
Further to our telephone conversation...

Making a Request
Would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the job description?
I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you have a room
for the 19th.

Answering Requests
We are pleased to forward details of our new products.
We regret that we cannot supply the goods you requested.
Unfortunately, we are unable to send you a catalog until next week.

Apologizing
I am writing to apologize for the delay.
We are sorry that we are unable to meet you on the 14th.

Closing Phrases
I would like to thank you for your help.
We look forward to hearing from you.
When we write business letters, we always want to
sound polite. We can make questions sound more
polite by using phrases such as:

Can you tell me...?

Could you tell me...?

I'd like to know...

I wonder if you could tell me...

Remember! You can only have one interrogative word

(e.g. how, why) in each question. Which is the
interrogative word in each of these sentences?

How old are you?

Do you speak French?

Can you tell me how old you are?

Could you tell me if you speak French?

Sometimes you can ask a question without using the

interrogative. For example, "I wonder if you could tell
me why you want to join our company."

Here are some useful phrases for answering questions.

I'm not sure.

I've no idea, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid I don't know.

That's a very interesting question.

Let me see. I think...

Oh, let me think.