Making requests in emails and letters


Here are some other examples of requests:
I would request … (+ noun)
I would request your immediate attention to the matter.
[very formal]
This is used to express dissatisfaction.

Could you possibly send me … ?[tentative]

Adverbs such as ‘also’ and ‘therefore’ can be inserted into a request as follows:
  • I would also be grateful if you could send me … .
  • I would therefore be grateful if you could send me … .
  • Could you therefore please send me … ?
  • Could you therefore send me … ?
  • Could you also send me … ?
  • Therefore, please send me … .
If you make two requests in a letter or email, the second request should include the word ‘also’, as we can see here:
Dear Mr Smith
I recently saw an advertisement for your new range of kitchen equipment.
I own a small retail shop selling household goods and am interested in buying some of your new products. Could you therefore please send me your price list? [first request] I would also be grateful if you could include details of delivery and postage. [second request]
Thank you in advance.
Best regards


Opening line
 I had a couple of important meetings last week. Here is a report on the first one.
 As requested, please find a report on my meeting with… below.
 I met … yesterday, so I am sending you the usual report on how the meeting went.
 I thought I should inform you of the results of my meeting with… on Monday.
 I had a meeting with a new client yesterday and I thought that you’d like to hear about
the results.
 Here is my report on my meeting with… yesterday (that you requested).
 I had a meeting with the supplier who you recommended last week and…
 … suggested that you’d like to know something about my meeting with… yesterday.
 As … is also a supplier/ client of yours, I thought you should hear about my meeting
with them the day before yesterday.
 I’m writing because I would like your comments on a meeting I had yesterday.
Second line
 I’m CCing … in on this.
 I will also send a copy of the full minutes of the meeting/ the contract in a couple of
days.
First line or paragraph of main body
 The thing you will probably most want to know is…
 The first/ main thing we talked about was…
 We agreed on…
 Unfortunately,…
 You will be pleased to hear that…
Second line or paragraph of main body
 We also…
 The next thing…
 Next/ then…
Main part of main body
 We discussed/ talked about/ agreed on/ decided/ negotiated/ argued about/ signed/
drafted/ drew up/ redrafted/ renegotiated…
 I/ we/ he/ she/ they requested/ recommended/ proposed/ brought up/ mentioned/ reported/ showed/ predicted/ disagreed/ agreed with/ refused/ rejected/ stressed/ emphasized/ explained/ complained/ guaranteed/ promised/ agreed to/ asked for/ presented/ conceded/ admitted/ confirmed/ denied/ introduced/ insisted on/ threatened/
offered/ pointed out/ acknowledged/ outlined/ summarised/ raised/
 I/ we/ he/ she/ they informed/ reassured/ reminded/ encouraged/ advised/ warned/ invited me/ him/ her/ us/ them…
 I/ we/ he/ she/ they filled me/ him/ her/ us/ them in on…
 I/ we/ he/ she/ they updated me/ him/ her/ us/ them in on…
Last line of main body
 We also talked about…
 I didn’t get the chance to ask them about…
 We decided to leave discussion of… until the next meeting.
 We arranged another meeting for…
 They will send me the documents by the end of next week.
 They had to leave before we could reach a conclusion, so…


Second to last line of the email
 I’m sure you will agree that this is a worrying development/ we can be happy about the
outcome.
 If you can give your approval for what we decided, I can get them to sign by the middle
of next week.
Last line of the email (before the final greeting)
 If you want any more details about what they said, please let me know.
 I’ll be meeting them again next month, so please tell me if there is anything you’d like
me to ask them.
 I’ll CC you in on any future email communication with them.
 I’ll send you a copy of the contract as soon as it arrives.

Good Endings

Close with a clear statement of your recommendation and a willingness to cooperate further.

Sentences:
Mr. Bright will be a great addition to your program. If I can further assist, please e-mail or call me.

Jane Bright has my strong recommendation. She will be a credit to your program.

I am confident that Mr. Bright will continue to be very productive. He has my highest recommendation.

I give her my highest recommendation, without reservation. Please send e-mail or call me if you have further questions.

I believe in John�s outstanding abilities for scientific work and strongly recommend him for further education at your university, where he can develop and apply his bright talents.

It is satisfying to be able to give him my highest recommendation. I hope this information proves helpful.

I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Bright as a promising candidate.

Seldom have I been able to recommend someone without reservation. It is a pleasure to do so in the case of John Bright.

I will be pleased to answer any additional questions you may have.

I am very interested in Mr. Bright's application and will be happy to provide further information.

Phrases:
every confidence in her ability to
give my unqualified recommendation
has always proved satisfactory
has my highest recommendation
have admiration and respect for
have no reservations in
hope this information proves helpful
if I can further assist
if you have further questions
if you need additional information
if you would like more information
recommend without reservation
recommend her very highly
request your favorable consideration of
should be given serious consideration
should you have any questions
will meet your expectations
will be successful in any enterprise he undertakes
will be a credit to your
will measure up to your high standards
will be a great addition to
would be an asset to your program
would be a valuable addition to

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