☰ Contents · English

Letters and the future of communication

Lessons 5–6 · 2 lessons · L. Jurayev, M. Abdullayeva, H. Tuhtarova, S. Khan, L. Tsoy, K. Inogamova, L. Matskevich, R. Ziryanova. Fly High English 9 (English, Grade 9), revised and expanded 2nd edition. “Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis”, Tashkent, 2014
5

Letters

Textbook: pp. 10–11
GoalThe structure of a letter: greeting, reason, good or bad news, apology, closing; formal and informal phrases.
New words
Dear · hurmatli (xat boshida)to apologise · kechirim so‘ramoqI’m looking forward to seeing you · sizni ko‘rishni intizorlik bilan kutamanWith best wishes · samimiy tilaklar bilan
Explanation

A letter has several parts. It starts with a greeting: Dear Mr Aliyev or Dear Dilya. Then the reason is given: I am writing to let you know about ... . To refer to an earlier letter we write Thank you for your letter of 15 October ... . Good news starts with I am pleased to tell you ..., bad news with Unfortunately ...; an apology uses I apologise for ... . About future contact we write I’m looking forward to seeing you ... or Please let me know ... . In British letters Dear Mr Aliyev ends with Yours sincerely and Dear Sir or Madam ends with Yours faithfully; to a friend we write With best wishes or Best wishes. Formal letters use fewer short forms (I’m, don’t).

Worked examples
Dear Ms Karimova, Thank you for your letter of 3 March. I am pleased to tell you that your application was successful. Unfortunately, the course starts a week later than planned. I apologise for the change. Please let me know if you have any questions. Yours sincerely, Jon Reid
Dear Laylo, Thanks for your message! I’m sorry I didn’t write earlier – I had exams. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the summer. Best wishes, Nargiza
Class activity

“Order the letter”: the parts of a letter are on mixed-up cards; groups put them in order and name each part.

Practice
1
Complete the good-news phrase: I am ___ to tell you ...
2
How does a letter that begins Dear Sir or Madam end?
3
Which word do you use to start bad news? Give an example.
4
Why do we not write “Hi!” or “Cheers!” in a formal letter?