Letter Writing

Hi CB,

Welcome to English Forums. You might want to Forum:5 and ask letter-writing questions there.

The best way is for you to post a draft letter and let us help you improve it. There's no secret to getting faster at letter-writing besides practice, practice, practice!

A very good letter, Mr. Bakumar. I have changed a few things-- please check that I have not changed your meaning. Even in an informal letter, you should spell out such words as 'you' properly:


"Sept. 5, 2004

Dear Pradeesh,

Thank you very much for your message. Sorry for the delay in replying. Due to my laziness more than my work load, I didn't even congratulate you when I heard that you have passed your exams with 1st class and you have been promoted to the next rank. Sorry for all.

Anyway, my HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS on your success. May God bless you in achieving more and more in the future. You should always be grateful to God and don’t be egotistical about your achievements. Be sincere and hard working. My blessings are always with you.

You might have heard that I went on vacation last June. I saw your parents and brother, who came with me on pilgrimage to our home town.

Here I am OK. Work is as usual. For the last few months there has been no European tour, but in Saudi Arabia there were inland tours, as many sites had to be visited as part of my job. In our hometown, all are doing well. The kids are busy with their studies and exams. Your aunty asked me to convey her regards to you. Please accept them.

Nothing more to write now. Rest in the next letter. Keep in touch.

With love & regards,

Uncle"

Hi Cbakumar,

I notice that you are on the site at the present time and Mister Macawber is away. So I hope the both of you don't mind if I jump in and try to assist.

1) Send you letter (incorrect)...I will send a letter or I will send you the letter (most--but not all--cases it is "a" letter)

2) send to you letter (incorrect...see above)

3) Write to you letter (incorrect) ....I will write you a letter. I will write to you.

4) Send the letter to you. (good) Or I will send a letter to you. Use "the" if it is a specific letter. If you are waiting for a business proposal, then you might be waiting for THE letter.

Or my friend usually writes to me every couple of weeks. I am waiting for a letter from her now.


A slightly correction to Mister Macawber's version. In the first paragraph of the letter there is the following sentence:

"Due to my laziness more than my work load, I didn't even congratulate you when I heard that you have passed your exams with 1st class and you have been promoted to the next rank."

Beginning a sentence with "due to" is usually not strictly correct. It is a pedantic point. I would rewrite the sentence as follows:

"Because of my laziness more than my work load, I didn't even congratulate you when I heard that you have passed your exams with 1st class and you have been promoted to the next rank."

In order to understand why "Because of" has been substituted for "Due to" please see the following thread: Post:41464

Again, I didn't mean to intrude on your discussion. I just noted that cbakumar was at the site and Mister Macawber was away. So I thought I might be able to address his concerns while he is here.

Hope this helps.

MountainHiker

A grammarian has to sleep sometime, unfortunately.

Truer words have yet to be written.

I hope my comments added value.

MountainHiker