Formal E-mail
Greeting
Dear Sir/Madam,
To whom it may concern,
Dear Mr. Smith,
Dear Ms. Watkins,
Opening Phrases/ Stating purpose
I’m writing in response to your advertisement in the International Herald.
I’m writing with regards to… (about)
I’m writing in order to … (for)
I’m writing to express my interest in the job vacancy/ internship program/ scholarship program etc.
Elaborating
· Having + Past Participle = Ayant + participe passé
Having spent the last three years studying history, I have gained a good understanding of archaeology and I would like to further explore this field.
· Being + noun/adjective = Etant + nom/adjectif,
eg, Being French, I have a great interest in culture.
Being an honours student, I have achieved very good results in all of my exams.
Asking for information
· I would like to know if…
I would like to know if your company offers an internship program.
· Could you please tell me if…
Could you please tell me if there is a metro station near the school?
· Would it be possible for me to(+inf)/ for you to (+inf)
Would it be possible for me to come to your office to conduct a survey in person, please?
Would it be possible for you to give me the names of your main suppliers, please?
Answering questions
· In response to your question about…
In response to your question about my qualifications, I have enclosed my results transcripts.
· To answer your question about…
To answer your question about life in French universities, I have enclosed a prospectus for you to read at your leisure.
Conjunctions (most common – full lists can be found online)
· and – never start a sentence with ‘and’!
· so – result (donc)
· but – contrast (mais)
· or – options (ou)
· however – like but (pourtant)
· otherwise – option/result (autrement)
· moreover – in addition to (en plus)
Conclusion
· Thanking you in advance for your co-operation/help/response.
· Looking forward to your response.
· In the hope of a favorable response. (application)
Closing
· Sincerely,
· Faithfully,
· Regards,
Attached or enclosed documents
· Please find enclosed my C.V. and cover letter (letter)
· Please find attached my C.V. and cover letter (e-mail)
Conjunctions
A
after = après
although = bien que
and = et
as = comme
as far as = jusqu’à
as if = comme si
as soon as = aussi tot que
as though = comme si
as well as = ainsi que
B
because = parce que
before = avant
both = les deux/ et ___,et _____
but = mais
D
despite = malgré
E
either/or = soit _________, soit ___________
even if = meme si
even though = bien que
F
for = pour
H
how = comment
however = pourtant
I
if = si
if only = si seulement
in case = en cas où
in order that = pour que
N
now = maintenant
nevertheless = néanmoins
O
once = une fois
only = seulement
or = ou
P
provided = vu que
R rather than = plutôt que
S
since = puisque /(depuis*)
so = donc
so that = pour que
T
than = que
that = que*
though = bien que
U
unless = sauf que
until = jusqu’à (temps)
W
when = quand
whenever = quand/ n’importe quand
where = où
whereas = tandis que
whether = si/ que/ soit
while = pendant que
Y yet = cependant
Correlative Conjunctions – always used in pairs
both... and = et _________, et ___________.either... or = soit __________, soit __________.
neither... nor = ni ___________, ni ___________.
not only... but also = non seulement _________, mais aussi ____________
whether... or = Que ce soit __________, où
