1. Formal vs. informal words and phrases.

Choose the more formal of the two options.

2. Formal writing.

Now complete the formal version of each sentence.

3. A formal letter.

Look at a formal letter from a bank to a customer. Match the descriptions to the letter.

Sept 2008 (1)

Mr Thornby
Mendez Nuñez 4, 2º, 2ª
08003 Barcelona (2)

Dear Mr Thornby,

In response to your letter dated 15 May, (3) I am afraid that I am unable to carry out your instructions (4) to send your debit card to the destination requested. The reason being that the signature we hold on file is different from that on your letter. (5) Therefore, could you please sign and return the enclosed signature slip and provide a copy of your current passport? (6)

I look forward to hearing from you soon. (7)

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Brimby (8)
Senior Customer Services Clerk

 

4. A formal letter.

Now read the letter again. Choose the correct meaning for the underlined words.

Dear Mr Thornby,

In response to your letter dated 15 May, I am afraid that I am unable to carry out your instructions to send your debit card to the destination requested. The reason being that the signature we hold on file is different from that on your letter. Therefore, could you please sign and return the enclosed signature slip and provide a copy of your current passport?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Brimby
Senior Customer Services Clerk

5. Letter summary.

Now choose the best answers to the questions below.

6. Before the letter was written.

Before the letter in exercise 3 was written, Caroline Brimby spoke to her secretary. Listen and read what she said.

"About that letter Mr Thornby sent us on the 15th; can you write to him and tell him that we're sorry but we can't do as he asked? We can't send the card to the address he gave us because the signature on his letter isn't the same as the one we have on our records. So, ask him to sign the signature slip and send it back to us with a copy of his current passport."

Use the words below to complete the letter.

7. Using because and so.

Look at these sentences.

Because / the reason being that are followed by a reason:

I went to bed early because I was tired.
She cancelled the dinner, the reason being that she had a lot of work.

So / therefore are followed by a result:

I was tired, so I went to bed early.
The offices were very small, therefore we decided to move to bigger ones.

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

8. A formal letter.

Read and memorise the letter. Then use the Start button to begin the exercise. Some of the words will disappear. Type and enter each missing word in the box above the text. You have 10 minutes to complete each text. (Clue: Double-click or tap on a space to see the first letter of the word.)

9. Writing Tutorial 3.

Imagine you work in the subscriptions department of a magazine. You can't send the magazines to a customer called Jill Johnson because the credit card number she provided is not correct.

Write a formal email to Jill Johnson. Explain the situation. Ask her to sign another subscription form and include her correct credit card number. Use these phrases:

In response to your letter (= About your letter)
I am afraid  (= I am sorry)
I am unable to (= I can't)
the reason being that (= because)
Therefore (= So)
and provide (= and include)
I look forward to hearing from you (= I hope to hear from you)