Letter writing - beginnings

The following phrases suggest natural ways of beginning many types of routine letters.


We are pleased to reply to your letter of (date) in which you ask.....

I am (sorry, glad) to learn from your letter of (date) that ....

We appreciate your telling us that ...

We appreciate your notifying us that ...

Thank you for your letter of ......

Your letter of (date) asks .....

As you requested, we are (tell what you are doing).....

You will be glad to know that ....

Thank you for your prompt reply to our letter of ....

We have your letter of (date) in which ...

In the absence of Mr. Silveira, who is away on business, I am pleased to answer ....

Mr. Costa has asked me to reply to your letter of (date) regarding ...

I am enclosing ....

Enclosed is ......

We appreciate you request for .....

We have given careful consideration to your request for .....

We are sorry to learn that ...

We regret that we were not able to .....

Please accept our apologies for ....

We appreciate the suggestion you made. However, .....