Work together to imagine at least one email for each of these starting and ending phrases, starting with the ones which are likely to be most useful for you. It may help to imagine the email you are replying to first.
Starting
Dear Sir or Madam
Thanks for your quick reply.
Thank you for… (yesterday/ this morning/ last week).
My name is… and…
I am writing to you about/ in connection with/ regarding/ with regards to…/ I am writing to you (in order) to…
It was so nice to…/ It was a pleasure to…
Sorry for my late reply.
Ending
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks again.
Thank you (in advance).
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me./ If you need to know anything else, just let me know./
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me./ If you have any further questions, please contact me at any time.
Any feedback you can give me on this would be gratefully accepted.
(I’m) sorry I couldn’t be more help.
(I’m) sorry for the short notice.
(I) hope that helps.
(I) hope that’s okay.
Suggested situations (for people sending emails to academic staff)
Applying for a position
Asking for (further) explanation of something
Applying for funding, e.g. a scholarship
Asking about a workshop, lesson or conference
Asking about their research
Asking for advice
Explaining a previous absence
Following up a meeting, e.g. at a conference
Following up a workshop or lesson that you attended, e.g. asking for more detail
Inviting them to attend/ speak at something
Responding to an invitation
Sending something to be published
Submitting writing, e.g. homework or a second draft of something
Suggesting collaborating
Telling them that you will miss or be late for something
Write at least one of those emails (in full) for homework.
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PDF version for easy saving and printing: Use the starting and ending emails phrases
