Lesson 2 Business

Business English 2

Business Letters.

Have a look at the structure of a typical Business Letter.

What you should know about business letters.
Layout and Structure.

RECOMMENDED SELF STUDY
Lesson 2 Grammar : Punctuation 2
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H O M E W O R K:
1. Write a letter and complain about that TV.
Submit your letter at the latest the day before your next lesson.

2. Learn the lesson and dialogue vocabulary and do the exercises.

RECOMMENDED
Lesson 2 Grammar. do the Multiple Choice exercises.

Business Letter Outline & Structure

Your address – Top right. NOTE: street number first DATE: modern way, but you could use 21st November 2025			12 Rose Avenue 2015 Westbrook johnjo@gmx.de November 21, 2025
Mr. Jones 12 Hillside Avenue 9890 London	Address of the person you send it to! Top left. If you know the person, add his / her name.	Remember: Official letters are usually sent in a sealed envelope. “Window” letters usually indicate that it is an invoice.

Your Application dated October 25, 2025		What is this letter about?!

Dear Sir / Madam OR if a name has been given: Dear Mr Jones, Dear Ms Jones OR very formal: Sir / Madam			Do NOT write Dear Sir or Madam Ms can be Miss or Mrs

With reference to …………………		Usually : With reference to the above OR With reference to your application dated…….

G E N E R A L I N F O! Business letters usually have 3 paragraphs: 1. more information about the reference, that is, what the letter is about; 2. detailed information about any action already taken; 3. what do you want?			NOTE! Why do you write the letter? What do you want to achieve?

Yours sincerely Name…………………….. Director Human Resources		letter ending your name your title

PS Attached please find….. (a copy of….. / a certified copy of)		attachments

========N o t e !=========

1. Address at the top and the date. 2. Person or company name on top left. 3. What the letter is about 4. The person it is addressed to: DO NOT USE Dear Sir or Madam !!! Use a slash / : Sir / Madam 5. Note the letter ending. 6. Remember the use of PS. (enclosure) 7. Do NOT use abbreviations such as don’t, can’t etc. 8. END a letter with Yours sincerely / Sincerely yours – Yours faithfully – a bit old fashioned – (can be used if you write to a religious person or person of high ranking) Regards – very informal IMPORTANT!!! Use SHORT sentences. (it’s easier to read and you will make fewer grammar mistakes) Use paragraphs. (clear picture of what you want to say when not crammed together) Be to the point. (say what you want to say) Be polite. (being rude will get you nowhere) Use WHITE spaces between paragraphs – don’t cram everything together.

I > always with a capital letter.			Remember, I am the most important person in the world!!!!

SOME phrases about an application for a job

We regret to inform you that…
We are pleased to inform you that
We would like to invite you to an interview on… at….
Please let us know if that date suits you.
Your expenses will be refunded at the rate of ….
We have booked accommodation for you at…..
We wish you well on your way ahead.

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SOME phrases when complaining / dealing with a complaint

We purchased ….. on the 11th of October
it was delivered by (DHL / Hermes / GLS) on…..
The package was damaged / not damaged
the invoice number is ….
the delivery note number is ……
numerous problems …..
We contacted your customer service and spoke to ……
He / She assured us …..
very friendly and helpful
extremely rude
absolutely incompetent
No guarantee / warranty
want to have it replaced / repaired
cancel the order
a full refund
will appreciate your assistance
by return of post

regret to inform you
would like to apologise
will investigate the matter
will deal with your complaint as soon as possible
unfortunately ….