Search results for 'tag:Formal letters tag:Contractions' matching tags 'Formal letters' and 'Contractions'

Re: Contractions in writings

pieanne — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:13:10 GMT

Hello, Powerful, welcome to the Forums!

It's perfectly OK to use the contractions in speech and in everyday writing, but I wouldn't advise them in more formal letters, or in homework, essays etc... unless your teacher tells you you can use them.

Re: Quick Question on how to write a formal letter!!

anon1 — Thu, 16 Sep 2004 16:00:43 GMT

Dear Mrs. Guest,

I encourage you to register though it is not required.

As far as spacing is concerned, I would single space my sentences and I would leave a space between paragraphs. This is only a letter, not a manuscript. So it is no big deal either way.

I would encourage you to only ask questions that cannot be answered through other means. My guess is that most of the information about Australia is available on the Internet somewhere. People get upset if they believe you are passing your work onto them. But you are taking an International Honors Class, so I trust you have exhausted the normal sources of information.

Everything else seems fine, with the exception that you need a colon after Dear Sir. As a matter of personal style, I tend to avoid contractions in formal letters. I use "I am looking" as opposed to "I'm looking". To me, the latter seems a bit lazy. But that is just personal style.

Good luck.

MountainHiker

Re: abbreviations in formal letter

Usenet — Fri, 16 Jan 2004 12:33:04 GMT

| Thank you all for your comments. Of course I meant contractions. | I will tell my students they have to write everything 'with as | many letters as they can'...in formal letters.

:-) Things like eg and ie can be left.
[nq:1]Now about the question of the Attn. line: According to my coursebook, this should be placed as below: ... Smith ... Do all of you concur with this?[/nq]
From a British perspective I'd say the Attn line is okay, but the date should be right up at the top.
[nq:1]In the Netherlands it is common to place this Attn. line between the company name and the company's address, ... Somewhere Somecountry Is this also used in England and the USA? Or is this a typically Dutch thing?[/nq]
I'd say that's more common on envelopes and the above format within the letter, but usage varies with house style.

Owain

Re: abbreviations in formal letter

Usenet — Thu, 15 Jan 2004 21:42:56 GMT

Thank you all for your comments. Of course I meant contractions. I will tell my students they have to write everything 'with as many letters as they can'...in formal letters.

Now about the question of the Attn. line: According to my coursebook, this should be placed as below:

Attn. Mr Smith

Do all of you concur with this?

In the Netherlands it is common to place this Attn. line between the company name and the company's address, e.g. ABC Company Attn. Mr Smith 123 Southwest Drive 45X67N Somewhere Somecountry

Is this also used in England and the USA? Or is this a typically Dutch thing?

Thanks in advance, -- Astrid

Re: abbreviations in formal letter

Usenet — Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:28:24 GMT

[nq:1]Hi group, I'm a teacher of English in the Netherlands and I have just discussed the question of abbreviations in ... didn't (and still don't) know the answer to that, so maybe someone here could help me (and my students) out?[/nq]
"I'm" is a contraction just the same. They're either all in (informal) or all out (formal).
[nq:1]Furthermore I would like to know the place of the Attn. line in formal letters. Is it between the addresses and the date, or within theaddressee's address, or someplace else?[/nq]
I can't see where there is room for "Attn" or "FAO" in letters. If you know the name of the person you're writing to, your letter will start:

--- (Your address)

(Date)

Mrs A N Other (company address)

Dear Mrs Other

(letter) ---

If you don't, it'll start:

--- (Your address)

(Date)

The Marketing Manager (company address)

Dear sir/madam

(letter) ---

The only place I use "FAO" is in the subject line of emails.

Adrian

Re: abbreviations in formal letter

Usenet — Wed, 14 Jan 2004 00:45:39 GMT

on 14 Jan 2004:
[nq:1]Hi group, I'm a teacher of English in the Netherlands and I have just discussed the question of abbreviations in ... didn't (and still don't) know the answer to that, so maybe someone here could help me (and my students) out?[/nq]
I wouldn't use any contractions (not "abbreviations") in a formal business letter. But if one uses "I'm", then there is no reason not to use "don't" and "won"t".
[nq:1]Furthermore I would like to know the place of the Attn. line in formal letters. Is it between the addresses and the date, or within the addressee's address, or someplace else?[/nq]
You can check a business-letter handbook for that kind of stylistic fillip, but I don't see the point of using it. If a letter is supposed to be brought to the attention of a particular person or the person who fills a particular position, then all that is necessary is to address it to that person, eg:

14 January 2004

Personnel Manager ABC Corp. Paris, France

Dear Personnel Manager:

-- Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.