First Sentences for Business Letters

Do you struggle with the first sentences of business letters? Review these examples. They will give you ideas on how to start your business letters and email messages.

1. To respond to a letter of complaint:
   Thank you for writing to us about your experience in our copy center last week.
2. To say thank you:
   Thank you so much for contributing the one-year corporate club membership to our auction.
3. To confirm an agreement:
   I am happy to write to confirm our agreement about the summer workshop.
4. To provide a reference:
   Sallie Dell has asked me to provide information to you in support of her job application, and I am pleased to do so.
5. To share information:
   I received some important information from Dr. Owens, and I believe it will be useful to you as you analzye the marketing data.
6. To explain a change in policy:
   Because we value our relationship with you, I wanted to personally explain a new policy we will implement in February.
7. To request: I am applying for graduate schools in marine biology, and I would be very grateful if you would write a letter of reference for me. 
8. To deny a request:
   Thank you for writing to ask about attending the conference in Baltimore. I wish I could approve your request.
9. To respond to a job advertisement:
   I fully meet or exceed the requirements of the Business Analyst III position, and I am pleased to apply for it.
10. To report on a site visit:
    Suzanne Villareal and Dale Cunningham visited the site on January 12, and they were very impressed with your safety program and hazardous materials policies. This letter covers their observations.
11. To apologize:
    Please accept my apology for missing the meeting yesterday. I am very sorry that I was unable to attend.
12. To congratulate:
    Congratulations on successfully passing your bar exam. You are now officially an attorney!

These sentences have three things in common:

• They get to the point. Each one answers the reader's question "What's this about?"
• They are concise without being blunt.
• They contain positive language: thank you, please, contributing, happy, pleased, congratulations, grateful, successfully, impressed, etc.

First sentences can sometimes seem difficult to craft. If you feel stymied, just skip the first sentence and go on to the second. Once you see what you have written, return to the beginning. Then set the stage with your opening sentence.

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Comments

[Babak Gharari]

Dear Lynn,
I was wondering if you mind guide me About How can I solve my problem?
My Resume:
At first,I graduated B Sc in Geology field from one of the Iranian Universities.(I'm Iranian)
Second,I'm supposed to continue my Education in higher level (Ms c )in one of the Malaysia Universities.
Third,I'm supposed to go to ELS Institute for improve my English
Knowledge in Malaysia. 10/03/2009
My Problem:
I should write an effective and Formal text for Malaysia Emigration Agency,With grateful Sentences and Expression.
(For Admission)
Best regard
Thanks

[PAB]

Dear Lynn,

If you started tweeting business writing tips, I would subscribe!

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am considering tweeting.

Lynn

[Rahul Mitra]

Dear Lynn,

Really too good, you are very keen specific observer and writer. Thanks for the article. Write more and send mails.