How to begin a formal or official letter? Part I

Sample Opening Lines
Back with a bang!! I began blogging since August and I have finished 15 blogs already. Not bad at all.. what do you say? So before the year closes on us let me post my 15th blog quickly. :)
While beginning an official e-mail, how often have you wondered about a different way to begin your formal mail with? Frankly, I have become tired of the same opening lines in my official mails. There are some do's and don't listed too. 
Am sure this help you. 
Certain tips should be followed while drafting an official or formal e-mail.

1. The standard address for formal correspondence is ‘Dear’.

2. If you know the recipient’s name, use: Yours sincerely3. If you do not know the recipient’s name, use: Yours faithfully4. Ms – to address a woman whose marital status is unknown; also used to address an unmarried woman
Here is a list of sample opening lines along with the situations when you should use them.

a. It is my privilege to invite you to __________
b. I'm pleased to inform you of __________
c. It is my personal pleasure to __________
d. CONGRATULATIONS!
e. WELCOME!
f. You are cordially invited to__________
g. I'm pleased to offer you__________
6. Thank you for your letter of [date] concerning
7. I apologize for the delay in replying
8. Thank you for sending me a [catalogue, quotation]
9. As stated in your letter/fax of [date]
10. Thank you for your enquiry of [date]
11. I wish to draw your attention to the
12. I refer to your letter of [date] concerning
13. I wish to inform you that
14. Further to our telephone conversation of [date]
15. I am writing to inform you that
16. I am writing to confirm our telephone conversation of [date]
17. I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with
18. I would be grateful if you could forward me a [price list, catalogue]
19. Please note that
20. I am contacting you regarding
21. Please find enclosed
22. I am writing to complain
Some more opening lines along with examples. 
• To respond to a letter of complaint Thank you for writing to us about your experience
in our copy center last week.
• To say thank you
Thank you so much for contributing the one-year corporate club
membership to our auction.
• To confirm an agreement
 I am happy to write to confirm our agreement about the
summer workshop.
• To provide a referenceSallie Dell has asked me to provide information to you in
support of her job application, and I am pleased to do so.
• To share informationI received some important information from Dr. Owens, and I
believe it will be useful to you as you analyze the marketing data.
• To explain a change in policyBecause we value our relationship with you, I wanted to
personally explain a new policy we will implement in February.
• To requestI am applying for graduate schools in marine biology, and I would be very
grateful if you would write a letter of reference for me.
• To deny a requestThank you for writing to ask about attending the conference in
Baltimore. I wish I could approve your request.
• To respond to a job advertisementI fully meet or exceed the requirements of the
Business Analyst III position and I am pleased to apply for it.
• To report on a site visitSuzanne Villareal and Dale Cunningham visited the site on
January 12, and they were very impressed with your safety program and hazardous
materials policies. This letter covers their observations.
• To apologizePlease accept my apology for missing the meeting yesterday. I am very
sorry that I was unable to attend.
• To congratulateCongratulations on successfully passing your bar exam. You are now
officially an attorney!



In my next blog, I will discuss some more on this.Till then take care and enjoy!