Mastering Formal Letter Writing and Key English Idioms
Formal Business Letter Template and Structure
1. Sender’s Contact Information
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, Post Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
2. Date
[Date – e.g., 27 November 2025]
3. Recipient’s Contact Information
[Recipient’s Full Name (if known) or Job Title]
[Recipient’s Company Name]
[Recipient’s Street Address]
[Recipient’s City, Post Code]
4. Salutation
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name / Sir or Madam],
5. Introduction
I am writing to you today regarding [State the main topic or issue clearly and concisely, e.g., the recent proposal for noise restrictions in the city centre / the faulty product I purchased last week]. The main purpose of this correspondence is to [State the general purpose, e.g., formally request clarification on the new policy / express my profound dissatisfaction with the quality of service]. I trust that you will consider the points outlined below with the attention they deserve.
6. Body Paragraphs
First Point of Concern
Firstly, I wish to draw your attention to [Specific detail or first issue, e.g., the lack of adequate public consultation before the regulation was implemented]. This situation is causing [Explain the impact or inconvenience, e.g., significant disruption to local businesses and residents]. A resolution or clarification on this matter is urgently required to ensure [State the desired outcome or need, e.g., fairness and legal compliance across all affected parties].
Second Point and Proposed Solution
Furthermore, it would be highly appreciated if you could provide additional information regarding [Specific request or second issue, e.g., the official timeline for phase two of the project / the procedure for obtaining a full refund]. I propose that the course of action be [Suggest a solution or next step, e.g., holding a town hall meeting to address public concerns / offering a replacement item at no extra cost]. I believe this approach would be mutually beneficial and effective in addressing [Related aspect, e.g., the community’s worries and maintaining public trust].
7. Conclusion and Call to Action
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I look forward to your prompt response and hope that we can resolve this matter swiftly. I await further information at your earliest convenience.
8. Sign-off and Signature
Note on Sign-off: Ensure you adjust whether to use “Yours sincerely” (if you addressed the recipient by name) or “Yours faithfully” (if you used “Dear Sir/Madam”).
Yours sincerely,
[Signature (Handwritten)]
[Your Typed Full Name]
Essential English Vocabulary and Idioms
Financial Idioms
- On a shoestring: Con poco dinero (with very little money).
- Strapped for cash: Ir justo de dinero (short of money).
- The smart money says / is on: Los expertos creen que (experts predict that).
- Pick up the tab: Pagar la cuenta o factura, sobre todo cuando no es tuya (to pay the bill, especially for someone else).
- Rake in the money: Hacer mucho dinero sin esforzarse mucho (to earn a lot of money easily).
- Fork out: Gastar, no porque quieras sino porque tienes que (to spend money unwillingly).
General Phrases and Idioms
- Head and shoulders above: No tener competencia (far superior to others).
- Fly in the face of: Oponerte o ir en contra de lo que es normal (to openly disregard or defy convention).
- Pleased to see the back of: Alegrarte de no involucrarte o relacionarte más con ello (to be happy to see someone or something leave).
- Play it by ear: Improvisar (to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops).
- Be plain sailing: Fácil y sin problemas (easy and without difficulty).
- Get someone off the hook: Sacarle las castañas del fuego (to help someone escape a difficult situation).
- Let someone off the hook: Salirte con la tuya / dejarle ir (to allow someone to escape punishment or responsibility).
- Below the belt: Golpe bajo, algo ruin (an unfair or cruel remark/action).
Education and Political Terminology
- Tuition Fee: Tasa de Matrícula (enrollment fee).
- Student Loan: Préstamo estudiantil (educational loan).
- Blended Learning: Aprendizaje semipresencial (híbrido) (hybrid learning).
- Rote Learning: Aprendizaje de memoria (memorization).
- Exit Polls: Sondeo de las urnas electorales (surveys taken after voting).
- Ballot: Papeleta de votación (voting slip).
- Lobbyists: Persona que se dedica a defender los intereses de un colectivo ante las administraciones (advocates who seek to influence officials).