四．信件

• 开头与结尾用语

开头：Dear Sir, Dear Madam, Dear sir or Madam, Dear President, Dear Sales Manager, Dear Dean, Dear Professor, To whom it may concern, Dear Mr. Smith,

结尾：Yours faithfully, Yours truly, Yours, Yours sincerely, Best regards, Best wishes, lovingly yours, sincerely yours,

• 正文第一句

朋友：Hi! How are you?

Hello! I hope everything is fine.

Hi! How is everything going?

如不认识：I was a guest at your hotel from June 25 to 28.

I am a student at your college, enrolled in the computer course.

致谢：Thank you for your invitation to the international medical conference on October 11.

Thank you for your letter dated October 11.

解释写信原因：I am writing to advise you for the loss of my credit card.

I’d like to inquire about course details.

I am writing to complain about/of the poor service at your restaurant.

• 结尾段

发出请求：I am looking forward to your prompt reply.

Please reply to us at your earliest convenience.

表达歉意：once again, I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Please accept my apologies once again.

提出投诉：I expect to hear from you very soon.

Please give this matter your immediate attention.

常用信件写作介绍

• 投诉信

开头：自我介绍，交代投诉内容，表明本信的目的和要求

正文：说明情况，讲清利害，分析利弊。告诉对方你因此受到的伤害或不便，提出解决问题的建议，表明希望如何处理。

结尾：表达希望问题得到迅速恰当解决的强烈愿望。希望尽快得到满意的答复。

常用句型：

I am writing to you to complain about….

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with/at…

I beg to call your attention to the fact that…

I wish to refer you to an incident which occurred…, calling for some remedial action.

I very much regret to have to inform you that…

I am totally/completely disappointed/upset to find…

I find it awful/quite distressing that…

My experience in…on…(date) shocked me. I can hardly put up with it.

There are some problems with the … that I wish to bring to attention. For one thing, there is…. For another, …..

I can hardly stand/bear/tolerate/put up with it any more.

To improve the situation/solve the above problem, it is advisable for you to take the following measures:…

I look forward to a day when we could really enjoy a more efficient service.

I hope that the above situation will be improved as soon as possible.

If it is not properly settled, I would ask you to give my money back, or I would complain to the Consumer’s Association.

I request you to be kind enough to solve the problem as soon as possible.

应注意：

• 礼貌用词，不能过激。
• 提出希望/要求，句型要多样化。
• 反映问题集中，不要联想其他。

Ex. 1

Last Saturday, you ate at a restaurant and found a fly in one of the dishes you ordered. Write a letter of complaint to the manager of the restaurant and offer your suggestions on this problem.

• 咨询信、请求信、说明信

开头：简要告知身份，表明写信原因或请求

正文：详细阐明询问、请求的具体内容、希望获得的信息。说明信应写明原因、实情及希望对方做些什么。强调所需信息/帮助的重要性。（按要求）

结尾：表达谢意，希望得到对方回复、帮助或合作。

常用句型：

I would like to inquire about some information concerning/regarding….

I am writing in the hope that you can…

I am writing because I would like to…

Needless to say, your approval of my request will be beneficial not only to myself but to the company.

Could you tell me what I have to do to…

It is sincerely requested that you…

My first question is that …

Should I need to send further materials, please let me know.

If additional information is required, please advise me at your early convenience.Should I send you copies of my qualification in advance?

I would be much obliged to you if you could let me know the procedures I have to go through.

Your prompt and favorable attention to my inquiry would be highly appreciated.

Please render me some valuable advice which is conducive to my final decision.

I am looking forward to a favorable reply at your earliest convenience.

应注意：

• 请求内容/信息一定要详尽，具体。
• 语气要客气，委婉。
• 语言直接，具体，简明。

Ex2. For some reason, you need to borrow a book from a classmate. Write a letter to him or her to

• describe the book you want to borrow,
• specify by when the book will be returned, and
• express your gratitude.
• 道歉信。

开头：简单交代对何事进行道歉。

正文：解释事情发生的原因，消除误会或矛盾。

结尾：再次表示遗憾何歉意，表明愿意补救的愿望，提出建议或安排。

常用句型：

I must apologize to you for…

I am very sorry that..

I regret to inform you that I will not be able to…

I am afraid what I have done has caused many inconveniences to you.

I sincerely hope you understand that I offended you quite unintentionally.

I believe you can understand that I have not intended to hurt you.

I owe you an apology.

It is my fault.

I am to blame for this unpleasant thing.

Please pardon/excuse/forgive me.

I sincerely hope that you will kindly accept my apologies.

I will try my utmost not to make such a stupid mistake again.

I trust the settlement of the matter will meet your wishes.

I hope you will kindly forgive my lapse of attention.

I am so sorry to have put you to/into so much trouble.

应注意：

• 事情原委要解释清楚。
• 说明情况与理由，实事求是，简明扼要。
• 态度诚恳。
• 用词委婉，语气温和，得体。

Ex.

You have invited a friend over to have dinner with you one night, but just before the dinner you received an urgent phone call from your office and you had to leave immediately. Write a letter of apology to your friend.

• 感谢信

开头：表达谢意，提及受到的帮助。

正文：回忆该帮助，高度评价/赞扬对方，表达当时的心情感受。

结尾：再次表达谢意，提出回报希望。

常用句型：

I am grateful/thankful to you for…

I am much obliged to you for your help.

I shall always appreciate the assistance you have given me.

I am writing to express my thanks to you for the many kindnesses you showed me when I was in hospital.

It was most thoughtful and generous of you to send me such a beautiful and fancy gift.

Thoughtful considerate considerable

It’s very kind of you to help us.

I hope you can know how much I appreciate your hospitality and your many kindnesses to me. Hostility

But for your help, I would not..

If it had not been for your timely assistance, I am afraid that..

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for…

With thanks from every one of us and best wishes to you.

Again, I would like to express our warm thanks to you.

I shall be pleased to reciprocate your favor when the opportunity arises.

应注意：

• 开头要直截了当。
• 表明诚意，避免空洞。
• 态度热情

Ex.

You got sick just a week before the final examinations and were sent to a hospital. One nurse treated you very well and you recovered soon. Write a letter of appreciation to the nurse (Miss Smith).

Dear Miss Smith,

I was just at your hospital when I got sick before the final examinations. First, I thanks for you could treat me very well and let me recovered soon. If it had not been for your timely assistance, I’m afraid that I couldn’t pass the exam.

Thank you for the bottom of my heart for your help and service.

Dear Miss Smith,

I hope you can know how much I appreciate your kindnesses you showed me when I was in hospital.

I got sick just a week before the final examination. I was so worried that I couldn’t take part in the examination. It was just you that encouraged me to face the illness bravely. So I recovered soon, and I got good results in my final examination. If it had not been for your timely assistance, I am afraid I can’t have recovered so soon and achieved such good results.

Again, I would like to express my thanks to you.

Sincerely yours,

Dear Miss Smith,

I am writing to express my thanks to you for the many kindnesses you showed me when I was in hospital.

If it had not been for your timely assistance, I am afraid that I would be still in hospital now. I got sick just a week before the exam. You treated me well and I recovered soon. Now I pass the exam. But for your kindness help, I would not have passed the exam.

Again, I would like to express my warm thanks to you. I shall be pleased to reciprocate your favor when the opportunity arises.

Yours sincerely,

Dear Miss Smith,

I was a patient of yours one week ago, and I write the letter to you to show my appreciation for your help.

It was near the final exam then, and without your hospitable and generous help, I couldn’t have recovered so soon, let alone to get a high mark on the exam. I shall always appreciate the help you’d offered me and I shall be pleased to reciprocate your favor when opportunity arises.

Again, I would like to express my warm thanks to you.

Best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

邀请信

开头：开门见山，说明目的。

正文：邀请内容（活动性质，地点，时间，日期），有关要求与希望。

结尾：重申对方参加的重要性，希望尽快回复。

常用句型：

I should be much pleased if you would come to our party on Friday the 15th at 6.

I am pleased to invite you to participate in …to be held from…to…. in..

I feel it a great honor if you could..

It is my pleasure/a great honor for me to invite you to…

We would be greatly honored if you could come…

I am writing to invite you to…

I am particularly anxious to have you join us.

It’s a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you and I do hope you can come.

We hope that you can come and look forward to seeing you.

I will cover all the expenses involved.

应注意：

• 用词清晰，简明。
• 邀请内容清楚。
• 求职信

开头：说明信息来源，表明写信目的

正文：提供个人资料，询问相关问题。

结尾：表达愿望，提供联系方式，表示感谢。

常用句型：

I have read your advertisement in…for a (position/post), and should be grateful if you could consider me favorably as an applicant for the position.

I wish to apply for the post mentioned in your advertisement in yesterday’s newspaper.

I wish to apply for a position with your company.

I myself like the job very much and I think my personality is well suited to working as a ….

Honest, trust-worthy, reliable, enthusiastic, diligent, bright, smart, careful, patient, responsible, efficient, productive, versatile, open-minded, optimistic,

I am confident that my experience and ability will show you that I can fulfill the particular requirement of your position.

Born in…in.., I graduated from….University majoring in ….. I have been working in…since my graduation, and I have therefore attained a fair knowledge and experience in this field.

Upon graduation, I first worked as … The following job was …. And currently I am working for…

I intend to give up my present post in order to get a more challenging opportunity.

With the kind of experience I have accumulated, I would expect a salary of not less than 4,000.

I shall be very much obliged if you will offer me an opportunity for an interview.

I am looking forward with great interest to hearing from you soon regarding my application.

应注意：

• 适当展示自己（经历，才能）
• 不要言他
• 语言明确清楚，流露自信。
• 推荐信

开头：开门见山，表明关系。

正文：称赞被推荐人（举例说明），客观介绍其相关能力，突出表现、性格与人品

结尾：作出保证，提出希望，表示感谢。

常用句型：

I am very glad to recommend you a former student of mine, Mr./Miss… to be a candidate for…

I am writing to recommend…

I have great pleasure to provide a letter for recommendation for Mr./Miss…

With reference to your advertised position, I have the pleasure to say that he is the just person you are looking for.

He has proved to be industrious, responsible and skillful in carrying out his assignment.

Besides being thoroughly honest and reliable he showed an unusual quickness and ability in…

I hope the above information will help you to know…

If you need any further information about his qualification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If further information about him/her is required, please do not hesitate to let me know/contact me

In view of his/her previous achievements in…, I am firmly convinced that Mr./Miss.., will make a successful graduate student/staff member.

I would be most grateful if you would consider my recommendation and kindly offer him a…

应注意：
1）开门见山，简明扼要。

• 举例说明，客观叙述。
• 表扬信

开头：身份简介，提及感谢的人，事。

正文：叙述经过，详细介绍值得表扬之处，表达感受

结尾：提出祝愿与希望

常用句型：

I am writing to tell you how highly I think of…

I am writing because I appreciate very much what Mr./Miss…from your company has done.

I am greatly impressed by….

What he has done shows that…

He deserves praise for what he has done.

I am greatly inspired by…

It is your good service as well as excellent food that help you set up a world reputation.

For this reason, I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks and hope that your company will have a brighter future.

应注意：

• 叙述经过，明确具体。
• 上升到一个高度。
• 语言诚恳。
• 祝贺信

开头：开门见山，说明消息来源

正文：回忆过去，表明感受，展望未来，提出建议。

结尾：表达祝愿

常用句型：

What exciting/thrilling news!

It’s good/sensational news.

I was delighted/thrilled to hear/to receive the news that ….

It’s the most joyful news I have heard for a long time.

I congratulate you on/upon your success.

Congratulations and all good/best wishes.

Please accept my heartiest congratulations on…

Permit me to congratulate you…

We want you to know how happy we were when…

It gave me a great deal of pleasure to learn…

Wish you all the happiness in the world.

I hope you will have nothing but joy and happiness in your life/career.

All the luck in the world to you!

Best of luck to you!

范文：

Ex. 1

Last Saturday, you ate at a restaurant and found a fly in one of the dishes you ordered. Write a letter of complaint to the manager of the restaurant and offer your suggestions on this problem

Dear manager,

I was a guest/customer at your restaurant last Saturday. I wish to refer you to the incident that happened that day, calling for your immediate attention to the matter.

It shocked me when I found a fly in a dish in the middle of our meal. I could hardly bear it. I felt sick. If it happens again, I am convinced that no one will come to eat here any more. It is advisable for you to tidy up/ clean up your kitchen as soon as possible.

Please give me your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely yours,

***

Ex2. For some reason, you need to borrow a book from a classmate. Write a letter to him or her to

• describe the book you want to borrow,
• specify by when the book will be returned, and
• express your gratitude.

Dear Jones,

I am writing to ask for your help in lending me a book.

Recently I’ve been busy preparing my graduate thesis, and therefore have been reading and researching numerous books and references. One of the books that my advisor believes to be particularly relevant to my thesis is called The Legal System in Society. Unfortunately I have been unable to find it at the library or in any bookstores. Do you happen to have this book? If so, may I borrow it? I promise to take good care of it and will return it to you within three days.

Thank you very much. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Li Ming

练习题：

Ex.1

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. You find it very difficult to study there because he or she always has friends visiting. They have parties in the room and sometimes borrow your things without asking you. Write a letter to the Accommodation officer at the college and ask for a new room next term. You should prefer a single room. Explain your reasons.

Ex. 2

Your classmate and close friend, Jack, has just passed the graduate entrance examination and is going to study at a famous university in another city. Write a letter of congratulation to him.

Ex. 3

You stayed with a local family when you attended a training program in UK. You returned to your home country in a hurry and found that you had left your laptop in the family. Write a letter to the family, thanking them for their hospitality. Describe the computer and where it is and ask the host to send it back to you.

Ex. 4

You are a college student who applies for a part-time job in a shop during the summer vacation. Write a letter to the shop owner explaining why you are a suitable person for the job. Remember to ask him or her about the rate of payment.

Ex. 5

You are a college student who applies to a university for an MA degree program of the major “Life Science”. Introduce yourself and state out the reasons. Ask them to send the necessary information concerning the course