Starting • We are writing to inform you that ...
to confirm ...
to request ...
to enquire about ...
• I am contacting you for the following reason.
• I recently read/heard about . . . and would like to know . . .
• Having seen your advertisement in ... , I would like to ...
• I would be interested in (obtaining/receiving) ...
• I received your address from ... and would like to ...
• I am writing to tell you about ...
Referring to
previous contact • Thank you for your letter of March 15 ...
• Thank you for contacting us.
• In reply to your request ...
• Thank you for your letter regarding ...
• With reference to our telephone conversation yesterday ...
• Further to our meeting last week ...
• It was a pleasure meeting you in London last month.
• I enjoyed having lunch with you last week in Tokyo.
• I would just like to confirm the main points we discussed on Tuesday . . .
Making a request • We would appreciate it if you would ...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• Could you please send me . . .
• Could you possibly tell us/let us have...
• In addition, I would like to receive ...
• It would be helpful if you could send us ...
• I am interested in (obtaining/receiving...)
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
• Please let me know what action you propose to take.