formal greetings in essay

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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How to Start a Letter (With Professional Greeting Examples)

Melissa Ling / The Balance

• Letters & Emails
• Skills & Keywords
• Salary & Benefits
• Job Listings
• Job Interviews
• Cover Letters
• Career Advice
• Work-From-Home Jobs
• Internships

Options for Starting a Letter

• Examples of Professional Greetings

Try to Find a Contact Person

• Greetings to Use When You Don't Have a Contact Person

Greetings to Avoid Using

Tips for writing and sending a letter.

What's the best way to start a letter? When writing a letter for professional purposes, an appropriate greeting is essential. Your greeting sets the tone for your letter or email, and is an indicator of your written communication skills.

Review information on options for starting a letter, including professional and personal greetings, examples of the best salutations, and what to do when you don't have a contact person.

When deciding  which salutation to use , you should consider whether, and how well, you know the person you're writing to. The answer will determine how you start your letter. It's important to use a formal and professional greeting when you don't know your letter or email recipient well.

Personal Greetings

When to use a person's first name: If you are writing to someone in a professional capacity that you have known personally for many years, it is appropriate to use only their first name.

Professional Greetings

When to use a professional greeting: If you don't know the person well, it is best to use  Mr., Ms., or Dr.  as an  appropriate business letter salutation . When you don't know the recipient's gender, you can use their first and last name. If you have any doubts about which greeting you should use, err on the side of caution and use the more formal style of address.

Use a Formal Salutation

Keep it formal: Try to avoid the temptation to begin your professional letter with informal salutations like "Hello," "Greetings," "Hi There," or "Good Morning" if you don't know the name of your contact person.

While those informal greetings are fine for casual emails to friends or even for more formal emails you might send to groups of people, in a professional letter you'll need to use a personal salutation with either a first and/or last name ("Dear Mr. Doe") or a job title ("Dear Hiring Manager").

Always be sure to double-check the spelling of the recipient's name. Otherwise, you'll be making a poor impression from the start of your letter.

Punctuation

Also remember to include the period after "Mr." and "Ms." and follow your salutation with a colon or comma (e.g., "Dear Ms. Doe:" or "Dear Jamie Chen,").

Examples of Professional Letter Greetings

These greetings are all suitable for professional communications.

When you know the person well:

When you know the person's name:

• Dear Mr./Ms. Lastname; e.g., Dear Mr. Dolan or Dear Ms. Butler
• Dear Mr./Ms. Firstname Lastname; e.g., Dear Mr. Martin Haynes or Dear Ms. Melissa Tandor
• Dear Firstname Lastname; e.g., Dear Michael Cairns

When you don't know the person's gender: When you have a name but are unsure of the gender of the person you are writing to, it is acceptable to leave out the honorific, and use the first and last names alone. For example:

• Dear Robin Miller
• Dear Jamieson Cavanaugh

If at all possible, use a contact name when you write. This makes your letter more personal, and it creates an immediate relationship with the reader. If you don't have a contact name, do some research to find out the  right person to address your letter to .

It doesn't take much extra time to make an attempt to find a name, and the sentiment it conveys is worth it. It's worth a try, even if you aren't successful.

Sometimes the name will be on the company website, or you may be able to find the right person on LinkedIn. Perhaps one of your colleagues or contacts knows who the appropriate person might be. You can also call the office of the unknown person you are writing to and ask the receptionist for the name by explaining your reason for calling.

For example:  "I am applying for a job with your company. Can you please tell me the name of your Hiring Manager so that I know to whom I should address my cover letter?"

Greetings to Use When You Don't Have a Contact Person

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you just can't find a name to address your letter to. In that case, you have a variety of choices, all of which are professional and appropriate.

The more information you have about where you are sending the letter, the better. (For example, the human resources department of the company, or the manager of the department related to your inquiry.) This way, you can make a more targeted choice when selecting your greeting.

If you don't have a contact person, there are a variety of options to choose from:

• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear Human Resources Manager
• Dear Recruiting Team
• Dear [Company Name] Recruiter; e.g., Dear ABC Company Recruiter
• Dear [Department Name] Recruiter; e.g., Dear IT Support Recruiter
• Dear [Department Name] Team; e.g., Dear Product Recruiter
• Dear Sir or Madam (this is outdated, so avoid if possible)
• To Whom It May Concern (use if you have no other workable options)

The following greetings aren't appropriate for formal letters or email messages:

• Good Morning or Afternoon (you don't know when they'll receive the letter or email message)

Start your letter with an appropriate greeting, as listed above.

First Paragraph

After your greeting, begin your first paragraph, which is usually an introduction that lets the reader know who you are and what you are writing about. If you have a mutual acquaintance who referred you to the reader, you should mention them at this time.

Body of Letter

The body of your letter normally consists of a paragraph or two of text. Here, you can elaborate on the theme of your letter and provide supporting details for the subject.

You'll want to keep it concise and pertinent to the person and the topic.

Be thorough but don't repeat yourself or go on and on about unimportant details.

Next, you'll need to sum up your letter. Your summary should include a thank you to the person for his or her time and consideration. If you plan to follow up later, you can also provide the details of when and how you will contact him or her.

Closing Options

Finish your  professional letter with a closing , such as "Sincerely" or "Regards." If you plan on sending the letter by postal service, your signature should be followed by your typed name.

If you're sending an email, your typed name should be followed by your contact information, which you can type in manually or have it done automatically for you. Here's  how to set up an automatic email signature .

Key Takeaways

• Choose a formal greeting. When you don't know the person you're writing to well, don't use a casual greeting.
• Try to find a contact person. If you can't find a contact person, it's fine to use a generic greeting.
• Proofread your letter or email. When you're sending professional correspondence, it's important to carefully proofread your document before you send it.
• How to Address a Business or Professional Letter
• Business Letter Salutation Examples
• Letter and Email Salutations and Greetings
• Email Greeting Examples and Writing Tips
• Professional Business Letter Template
• Business Letter Layout Example
• Sample Professional Letter Formats
• Email Etiquette Tips for Job Seekers
• How to Introduce Yourself in an Email (With Examples)
• Professional Letter and Email Writing Guidelines
• Business Letter Format With Examples
• Format for Writing an Interview Thank-You Letter
• Thank You Letter Example for an Administrative Interview
• Different Types of Letters With Examples
• Sample Cover Letter for a School Position
• Sample Emails, Letters, and Tips to Request a Meeting

Greetings: 28 Useful Formal and Informal Greetings in English

Greetings are an essential part of communication in any language. They are the first words we say when we meet someone, and they can set the tone for the entire conversation. In English, there are formal and informal greetings, and it’s important to know when to use each one. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about formal and informal greetings in English.

Understanding Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of communication, and they help to establish a connection between the speaker and the listener.

Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between formal and informal greetings. Formal greetings are used in professional settings, when showing respect to someone, at formal gatherings, and when talking to someone for the first time. On the other hand, informal greetings are used in casual settings, among friends and family, and when the speaker wants to convey a more laid-back tone.

Some common examples of formal greetings include “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good evening.” These greetings are commonly used in a formal atmosphere and are used as a replacement for the word “hello.” It is important to note that the appropriate greeting depends on the time of day. For example, before 12 p.m., you should say “Good morning,” after 12 p.m., you should say “Good afternoon,” and after 6 p.m., you should say “Good evening.”

Informal greetings, on the other hand, are more casual and relaxed. Examples of informal greetings include “Hello,” “Hi,” and “Hey.” These greetings are commonly used among friends and family, and they convey a more laid-back tone. It is important to note that the appropriate greeting depends on the situation and the relationship between the speaker and the listener.

Formal and Informal English Greetings

Common formal greetings.

• Hello Mary!
• How are you?
• Good morning .
• Good afternoon.
• Good evening.
• What are you doing?
• It’s nice to meet you.
• How is it going?
• How are you doing?
• Good to see you.
• It is a pleasure to meet you.
• How do you do?
• It’s an honor to meet you.
• Nice to meet you .

Common Informal Greetings

• How are ya?
• What’s new?
• What’s going on?
• How are things?
• How is everything?
• How’s life?
• Long time no see!

Formal Greetings

Business settings.

When meeting someone in a business setting, it is important to use formal greetings to show respect and professionalism. Some common formal greetings in business settings include:

• Good morning/afternoon/evening
• Nice to meet you

It is also important to use appropriate titles when addressing someone in a business setting. For example, if you are addressing someone with a higher rank or position, you should use their title and last name (e.g. “Good morning, Mr. Smith”).

Academic Settings

In academic settings, formal greetings are also important to show respect and professionalism. Some common formal greetings in academic settings include:

When addressing a professor or teacher, it is important to use their title and last name (e.g. “Good morning, Professor Johnson”).

Government Settings

When meeting someone in a government setting, it is important to use formal greetings to show respect and professionalism. Some common formal greetings in government settings include:

When addressing someone with a higher rank or position, it is important to use their title and last name (e.g. “Good morning, Secretary Smith”).

Informal Greetings

Friendly settings.

When greeting friends, family, or acquaintances in casual settings, people often use informal greetings such as:

• How’s it going?

These greetings are often accompanied by a smile or a wave, and are used to acknowledge the other person and start a conversation.

Casual Settings

In casual settings such as parties, concerts, or sports games, people often use informal greetings to acknowledge strangers or acquaintances. These greetings can include:

These greetings are often accompanied by a nod or a handshake, and are used to start a conversation or show friendliness.

The Art of Responding to Greetings

Responding to greetings is just as important as giving them. It shows respect and politeness towards the person greeting you.

Formal Responses

When responding to a formal greeting, it is important to use a formal response. Here are some examples:

• Good morning/afternoon/evening. (Response: Good morning/afternoon/evening.)
• How do you do? (Response: How do you do?)
• It’s a pleasure to meet you. (Response: The pleasure is mine.)

It is important to note that in formal situations, it is best to use the same greeting that was given to you in your response.

Informal Responses

Informal responses to greetings are more relaxed and casual. Here are some examples:

• Hey! (Response: Hey!)
• What’s up? (Response: Not much, how about you?)
• Hi there! (Response: Hi there!)

When responding to an informal greeting, it is acceptable to use a different greeting in your response.

In conclusion, responding to greetings is an important aspect of communication. It is important to use the appropriate response based on the formality of the situation. By using the examples provided, you can ensure that you are responding appropriately and showing respect towards the person greeting you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of informal greetings in English?

There are many informal greetings in English, such as “Hey”, “Hi”, “Hello”, “What’s up?”, “Howdy”, “Yo”, and “Sup”. These greetings are typically used between friends, family members, or peers in casual settings.

What is the difference between formal and informal greetings?

Formal greetings are typically used in professional settings or when meeting someone for the first time. They are more polite and respectful, such as “Good morning/afternoon/evening”, “Nice to meet you”, and “How do you do?”. Informal greetings, on the other hand, are more casual and relaxed, such as “Hey”, “Hi”, and “What’s up?”.

What are some common friendly greeting phrases?

Some common friendly greeting phrases include “How are you?”, “What have you been up to?”, “It’s good to see you”, “How’s your day going?”, and “What’s new?”.

What are some English greetings and responses?

English greetings include “Good morning/afternoon/evening”, “Hello”, “Hi”, “Hey”, and “Howdy”. Common responses to these greetings include “Good morning/afternoon/evening”, “Hello”, “Hi”, “Hey”, and “How’s it going?”.

What are some ways to greet someone in English?

Some ways to greet someone in English include saying “Hello”, “Hi”, “Good morning/afternoon/evening”, “Hey”, “Howdy”, “What’s up?”, and “Nice to meet you”. It’s important to choose the appropriate greeting based on the situation and the relationship with the person being greeted.

Last Updated on November 9, 2023

7 thoughts on “Greetings: 28 Useful Formal and Informal Greetings in English”

·        I’m undergoing Covid 19 isolation so this is “extremely helpful” for me for I don’t feel like preparing my own classes. Thanks a lot for your sharing it. I do promise to mention your page to my online students. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

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• AWELU contents
• Writing at university
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• Understanding instructions and stylesheets
• Understanding essay/exam questions
• Peer review instructions
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• Introduction
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Salutations

• Structuring your email
• Direct and indirect approaches
• Useful email phrases
• Language tips for email writers
• Writing memos
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• The writing process
• Identifying your audience
• Using invention techniques
• Research question
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• Indefinite pronouns and agreement
• Sums of money and periods of time
• Words that indicate portions
• Uncountable nouns
• Dependent clauses and agreement
• Agreement with the right noun phrase
• Some important exceptions and words of advice
• Atypical nouns
• The major word classes
• The morphology of the major word classes
• Words and phrases
• Elements in the noun phrase
• Classes of nouns
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• Avoiding plagiarism
• About Awelu

• Start here AWELU contents Student writing resources Research writing resources Administrative writing resources LU language policy
• Genres Introduction The Nature of Academic Writing Student writing genres Writing in Academic Genres Writing for Publication Writing for Administrative Purposes
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• Language Introduction Common problems and how to avoid them Selective mini grammar Coherence Punctuation Spelling Focus on vocabulary Register and style Dictionaries Corpora - resources for writer autonomy References
• Referencing Introduction Different kinds of sources The functions of references How to give references Reference accuracy Reference management tools Using a reference style Quick guides to reference styles Writing acknowledgements
• Academic integrity What is academic integrity? Academic integrity and writing Academic integrity at LU Plagiarism

Salutations are opening and closing phrases used to greet the recipient of your email and to bring your message to an end. How you address the recipient will depend on whether it is the first time you contact them or somebody you already know, and also on the level of formality of your email.

Unless you are writing in a very informal context, you should always use opening and closing salutations in your emails.

Opening salutations

In many parts of the world, a more formal tone than is commonly used in Sweden is preferred in written communication. Whereas in Swedish, a brief Hej! will do in most contexts, the standard salutary phrase in English is Dear  plus the name of the recipient, followed by a comma.

Note that the word dear is a standard, neutral, word, used in professional as well as private correspondence.

Politeness - tips

How formal? If you are uncertain about the right level of formality, aim at a polite and formal tone, and let your correspondent decide which level they prefer. In many cultures, academic titles are used more frequently than in Sweden, and addressing someone you do not know without their academic title might seem rude.

Whereas you in Sweden would open an email to someone who, for instance, will visit your department as faculty opponent with Hej Andrea!, an opening salutation like Dear Professor Rosso  is more apporopriate unless you already know them. If they in their reply sign off with Best regards, Andrea you can use first names in your next email. Similarly, when you refer to your own colleagues, consider whether it is appropriate to use their first names or if it is better to refer to them in a more formal way: Professor Svensson has asked me to contact you...

What about the word please ? As we say elsewhere, do not be afraid of using the word please in emails: Please let me know... Please send me...

Unknown recipient

If you do not know the name of the recipient, aim for a more generic salutation. If you are addressing someone in their professional capacity but do not know their name, use their professional role or address your email to the department, for instance:

• Dear International Coordinator, 
• Dear Head of Department,

What about To whom it may concern ?

The phrase To whom it may concern can be used in emails but is not very common; it is more often used as a heading in letters of recommendations, applications, or formal complaints.

Punctuation

Note the punctuation mark used after salutary phrases: In British English, a comma is always used after the salutary phrase:

• Dear Professor Smith,
• Dear James Smith,
• Dear James,

In US American English, a colon is sometimes used in formal correspondence.

Exclamation marks (as in the Swedish Hej! ) are not used in salutations in English (at least not in the formal types of correspondence that we discuss here).

Gendered salutations

If the name of the recipient is not known, gendered salutations like Dear Sir, or Dear Sir/Madam are sometimes used in formal correspondence. Similarly, recipients are sometimes addressed with gendered courtesy titles such as

• Mr (to a man)
• Mrs (to a married woman)
• Miss (to an unmarried woman)
• Ms (to a woman without signalling her marital status)

Whereas the intention of such salutations is politeness, they focus on the gender of the recipient, and, in the case of women, also on their marital status. Today, many writers find such salutations problematic: If it is not clear to you what gender the recipient's name is or how the recipient wishes to be addressed, it is difficult to know what salutation to use.

How to avoid gendered language

One way to avoid gendered language is to refer to the professional capacity of the recipient ( Dear International Coordinator, ). If the recipient has an academic title, such as Dr Jones or Professor Smith , use that, or just use first plus last names, as in Dear George Smith,  or Dear Anna Jones, .

If you wish to use Ms / Miss / Mrs

If you use a female gendered salutation, we recommend Ms as marital status is of no consequence in most professional correspondence. If you address someone you do not know (or if you do not know their marital status), using their full name is a neutral option: Dear Adela Brown, .

If you wish to use the more traditional Miss / Mrs , please note that Miss is only used for women who have not been married, whereas Mrs today is used for married, widowed, and divorced women.

Traditionally, Mrs + the husband’s full name ( Mrs George Brown ) was used for married and widowed women, whereas Mrs + the woman’s own full name ( Mrs Adela Brown ) signalled that she was divorced.

Nowadays, women are usually addressed with their own full name ( Mrs Adela Brown ).

Time-specific salutations

In intercontinental correspondence, in particular, time-specific salutations like Good morning, and Good evening, are not advisable unless you know for certain when your email will be read.

Closing salutations

At the end of your email, use a closing salutation. Just as in the opening salutation, aim for politeness.

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 25, 2023

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How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look!

The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Overview of an essay.

Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays

Developing the argument

• The first aspect to point out is that…
• Let us start by considering the facts.
• The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
• Central to the novel is…
• The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…

The other side of the argument

• It would also be interesting to see…
• One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
• Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
• The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would indicate that…
• From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
• All of this points to the conclusion that…
• To conclude…

Ordering elements

• Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these introductory words.)
• As a final point…
• On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
• If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
• The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
• There are at least xxx points to highlight.

Adding elements

• Furthermore, one should not forget that…
• In addition to…
• Moreover…
• It is important to add that…

Accepting other points of view

• Nevertheless, one should accept that…
• However, we also agree that…

Personal opinion

• We/I personally believe that…
• Our/My own point of view is that…
• It is my contention that…
• I am convinced that…
• My own opinion is…

Others’ opinions

• According to some critics… Critics:
• believe that
• suggest that
• are convinced that
• point out that
• emphasize that
• contend that
• go as far as to say that
• argue for this

Introducing examples

• For example…
• For instance…
• To illustrate this point…

Introducing facts

• It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…
• One should note here that…

Saying what you think is true

• This leads us to believe that…
• It is very possible that…
• In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
• Doubtless,…
• One cannot deny that…
• It is (very) clear from these observations that…
• All the same, it is possible that…
• It is difficult to believe that…

Accepting other points to a certain degree

• One can agree up to a certain point with…
• Certainly,… However,…
• It cannot be denied that…

Emphasizing particular points

• The last example highlights the fact that…
• Not only… but also…
• We would even go so far as to say that…

Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

• By and large…
• Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
• It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
• One must admit that…
• We cannot ignore the fact that…
• One cannot possibly accept the fact that…

Consequences

• From these facts, one may conclude that…
• That is why, in our opinion, …
• Which seems to confirm the idea that…
• Thus,…/ Therefore,…
• Some critics suggest…, whereas others…
• Compared to…
• On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many people are convinced that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 1

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 2

Phrases For Balanced Arguments

Introduction

• It is often said that…
• It is undeniable that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• One of the most striking features of this text is…
• The first thing that needs to be said is…
• First of all, let us try to analyze…
• One argument in support of…
• We must distinguish carefully between…
• The second reason for…
• An important aspect of the text is…
• It is worth stating at this point that…
• On the other hand, we can observe that…
• The other side of the coin is, however, that…
• Another way of looking at this question is to…
• What conclusions can be drawn from all this?
• The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
• To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to accept that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 3

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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How to Greet People in English [Formally and Informally!]

Greetings serve as the cornerstone of effective communication and social interaction. They are your first step in establishing connections with people in English-speaking countries. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your greeting skills, this in-depth guide will teach you how to greet people in English. If you want a partner to practice English with, don’t forget to check out our awesome article on the best website for English speaking practice (FOR FREE!) .

How to Greet Someone in English

Formal greetings.

Formal greetings are typically used in professional settings, when meeting someone for the first time, or to convey respect. Here are some common formal greetings, complete with examples:

• Example : “Hello, Mr. Smith. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
• Example : “Good afternoon, Professor Johnson. How has your day been so far?”
• Example : “How do you do, Madam President? I’ve heard a lot about your work.”
• Example : “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Lee. Your research is quite impressive.”

Informal Greetings

Informal greetings are employed when interacting with friends, family, or in relaxed settings. They tend to be more casual and friendly:

• Example : “Hi, Sarah! How’s everything going with you?”
• Example : “Hey, buddy! What’s on your mind today?”
• Example : “What’s up, Jane? It’s been a while since we caught up!”
• Example : “How’s it going, Mark? Anything exciting happening lately?”

What Do You Say Instead of Hi?

If you want to add variety to your greetings beyond the standard “Hi,” consider these alternatives:

• Example : “Greetings, everyone! I hope you’re all having a wonderful day.”
• Example : “Salutations, my friends. Let’s make this gathering memorable!”
• Example : “Hey there, how’s your week been treating you?”
• Example : “Hello there, stranger! Long time no see. What have you been up to?”

How to Greet a Person in English

Effectively greeting someone in English isn’t just about the words you choose; it’s about the context and your relationship with the person. Here are some essential tips to enhance your greeting etiquette:

• Pay attention to the situation : Consider whether you’re in a formal or informal environment. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to start with a more formal greeting.
• Use appropriate titles : In formal settings, address individuals by their titles and last names (e.g., Mr. Smith, Dr. Lee). In informal settings, you can use first names or nicknames (e.g., Sarah, Mark).
• Match the level of enthusiasm : Tailor your greeting to the atmosphere. If someone greets you warmly, respond in kind. In formal situations, maintain a respectful tone.
• Smile and make eye contact : These non-verbal cues convey friendliness and approachability, making your greeting more genuine.
• Practice active listening : After the initial greeting, listen attentively to the person’s response. This shows that you value the interaction and are ready to engage in meaningful conversation.

By mastering how to greet people in English, you’ll be better prepared to navigate social and professional interactions, creating positive first impressions and fostering meaningful connections. So go ahead, greet confidently, and open the door to enriching conversations!

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Free English Lessons

English greetings and introductions – video.

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What’s the first word you learned in English? Probably ‘hello’, right? ‘Hello’ is the most basic way to greet someone in English.

There are many different ways to greet people and introduce yourself in english. in different situations, you’ll need to use different words and phrases to greet people or make introductions., in this lesson, you can learn about greetings and introductions in english and see which language you should use in different situations., quiz: english greetings and introductions.

Test how well you know the language from this lesson by trying this quiz.

There are 20 questions. When you’ve finished, click ‘Finish Quiz’ to get your score. You can then click ‘View Questions’ to see the answers, or ‘Restart Quiz’ to have another go.

Quiz Summary

0 of 20 Questions completed

Information

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading…

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You must first complete the following:

0 of 20 Questions answered correctly

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), ( 0 )

Earned Point(s): 0 of 0 , ( 0 ) 0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0 )

• Not categorized 0%

Well done! You’ve finished!

That’s an excellent score! Congratulations!

A perfect score! Congratulations!

1 . Question

Questions 1-5: find the mistake Identify the word with the spelling mistake, then re-write the complete sentence (including punctuation) in the answer space.

1. Good ringmon.

You can say this in any situation – assuming it’s not the afternoon or evening!

2 . Question

2. What’s your mean?

You could ask this when you meet someone in any situation.

3 . Question

3. How are you toady?

You can add the last word to make this greeting sound a little friendlier.

4 . Question

4. Have you yugs met?

This is a phrase you would use in informal situations.

5 . Question

5. Yeh, what’s up?

The first word is incorrect in this very informal greeting.

6 . Question

Questions 6-10: put the words in order Rearrange the words to find a phrase from the lesson. The punctuation is not shown to make the quiz more challenging, but should, of course, be used in any writing that you do.

6. Something that you’d say if you are introduced to somebody new and want to sound friendly:

View Answers:

7 . Question

7. A way of greeting someone you know well:

8 . Question

8. Something you might say to a customer at the start of a meeting:

9 . Question

9. A way to introduce two people in an informal situation:

10 . Question

10. A way to answer when someone asks ‘how are you’, in a fairly formal situation:

11 . Question

Questions 11-15: choose when Decide when it’s appropriate to say each phrase.

11. “Good evening.”

• more formal situations
• more informal situations
• any situation

12 . Question

12. “Nice to meet you.”

13 . Question

13. “What’s up, my lady?”

14 . Question

14. “Hey, how’re things?”

15 . Question

15. “John, this is Nadine.”

16 . Question

Questions 16-20: yes or no Decide if the greetings are appropriate or not.

16. You meet your husband/wife’s parents for lunch, and you have met them many times before, so you’re accepted as a member of their family. Would you say “Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Evans”?

17 . Question

17. When you walk into your new English class, would you say “Allow me to introduce myself”?

18 . Question

18. When you are at a company meeting, would you introduce a colleague’s presentation by saying “Let me introduce our next speaker”?

19 . Question

19. You walk into an expensive restaurant where all the waiters are wearing tuxedos and bow-ties and so are some of the diners. Would you say to the waiter “Hi, how’re things?”

20 . Question

20. If you are introduced to your friend’s brother and he says, “Nice to meet you,” would you respond, “How do you do?”

1. Formal English Greetings and Introductions

Imagine that you’re on a business trip, and you’re meeting some important clients for the first time.

Or maybe you work in service, for example in a hotel, and you need to talk to guests and customers. Learn more about this topic in our Oxford Online English lesson: Hotel English .

In these situations, you’ll want to use more formal language.

Kasia: Good morning! You must be Olivier. Olivier: Yes, good morning! I’m sorry, and your name is…? K: My name’s Kasia. Very nice to meet you. Welcome to Madrid! O: Thank you. K: How are you today? O: Very well, thank you, and yourself? K: I’m good, thanks for asking.

This dialogue uses more formal language . Can you see what makes it formal?

First, I started by saying good morning. The greetings good morning, good afternoon and good evening are quite formal and are generally only used in formal situations.

There’s one exception: you can sometimes use good morning informally with people you know well.

However, it’s common in this situation to shorten it to just morning.

Can you see any other examples of formal language in this dialogue?

There are many. Firstly, I asked Kasia’s name by saying, and your name is…? This is more formal than asking what’s your name?

After she introduced herself, Kasia said very nice to meet you. Saying nice to meet you is neutral—neither formal nor informal. However, adding very makes it sound much more formal. One word can make a big difference!

I introduced myself with a full sentence: My name’s Kasia. When speaking less formally, you’d use a shorter introduction, like I’m Kasia or just Kasia.

After I introduced myself, I said Welcome to Madrid. Does this sound formal or informal to you?

It’s quite formal. Do you know what makes it formal?

Again, it’s a small change which makes a big difference. Saying welcome by itself is neutral—it’s not so formal. However, adding to and a place makes it sound much more formal.

So, if you say, Welcome to our office! that sounds formal, while if you just say, Welcome! it doesn’t sound so formal.

It’s common when greeting someone in English to ask some kind of how are you question. Do you remember what Kasia asked me?

She asked How are you today?

Again, one word makes the difference—do you know which one?

It’s today. Asking how are you is neutral. Adding today makes it sound more formal.

My answer, Very well, thank you, also sounds quite formal. If I was speaking more neutrally, I’d say something like, Well, thanks. Adding very and saying thank you instead of thanks makes it sound more formal.

Finally, Olivier asked me how are you back. Do you remember how he did it?

He asked, and yourself? This is more formal than asking and you?

I replied and said thanks for asking. You wouldn’t say thanks for asking in a more informal situation.

So, you’ve seen here how small changes can make a big difference to how formal your language sounds.

Remember that formality doesn’t just depend on the words you use; other things like tone of voice and body language are also important.

Next, let’s look at how to handle greetings and introductions in a neutral way.

2. Neutral Greetings and Introductions in English

‘ Neutral ’ means neither formal nor informal.

For example, imagine you’re at work, and you meet a new colleague. You’re the same age and you’re in the same department.

This is an example of a neutral situation. You don’t need to be very formal, but you also wouldn’t want to sound too casual.

O: Hello! K: Hello! Are you Olivier? O: Yes, that’s right. What’s your name? K: Kasia. Nice to meet you. O: And you. K: How are you? O: Fine, thanks, and you? K: I’m good, thanks.

First, compare this dialogue to the formal one from part one. They follow the same pattern, but this dialogue is much less formal. Can you see the differences?

First, we started with a neutral greeting, hello. You can use hello in any situation.

Then, I asked Olivier his name with a simple question, What’s your name?

Hello, what’s your name… pretty easy, right? That’s because neutral language is generally the simplest language.

If you compare the two dialogues, you can see that this neutral dialogue is shorter than the formal dialogue you saw in part one.

This is very common: formal language is often longer and more complex. Neutral language is short and simple.

You can see this throughout the dialogue: we use the basic words and phrases that you probably learned in lesson one of your English classes at school: nice to meet you; how are you; fine, thanks; and so on.

Okay, so now you’ve learned about the difference between formal and neutral greetings and introductions.

What about informal greetings and introductions?

3. Informal Greetings and Introductions in English

Informal greetings and introductions are useful if you know someone well, or you’re meeting someone in a casual situation.

For example, if you’re hanging out with some friends, and your friends introduce you to one of their friends, you would probably use more informal language.

Let’s see how this works:

O: Hi! K: Hey! Olivier? O: Yeah. Your name? K: Kasia. Good to meet you. O: You too. K: How you doing? O: Yeah, not bad. You? K: Pretty good!

So, what do you notice here?

The first thing you can see is that the dialogue is even shorter than the neutral dialogue you saw in part two.

We both used a lot of short questions and sentences. For example:

• How you doing?

These are fine in informal speech, and native speakers often shorten sentences and questions like this. However, you wouldn’t do this in a more formal situation.

There are also several phrases which you wouldn’t use in a more formal setting, such as:

• Pretty good

These are all good words and phrases to use in an informal situation.

At this point, you could go back and review the three dialogues. Each dialogue has exactly the same structure—only the language is different.

See how you can use different words and phrases to greet people and introduce yourself with different levels of formality.

Okay? Let’s look at one more thing.

When you’re making introductions, you might also need to introduce another person.

4. Introducing Someone Else in English

Let’s see how you can do that in formal, neutral, or informal ways.

Here’s a very formal introduction.

O: Let me introduce my colleague, Kasia.

Here’s another very formal way to introduce someone:

K: May I introduce my colleague, Olivier?

What about neutral introductions?

O: This is Kasia.

Here’s another way to make in introduction using neutral language.

K: Have you met Olivier?

Finally, what about informal introductions?

In informal situations, you might not introduce people at all. You might just let them introduce themselves, or you might prompt them to introduce themselves by asking something like:

• Have you guys met?
• Do you two know each other?

If you want to make an informal introduction, the most common way is just to say the two people’s names, then say them again in reverse.

For example, imagine you’re introducing two people called John and Emma to each other. You could say:

• John, Emma. Emma, John.

So now, you should understand how to greet people and introduce yourself or someone else in different situations.

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Essay on Greetings

Students are often asked to write an essay on Greetings in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Greetings

Introduction.

Greetings are a universal way of acknowledging others, expressing respect, and building relationships. They vary across cultures, reflecting unique customs and traditions.

Types of Greetings

Greetings can be verbal, like saying “hello”, or non-verbal, like a handshake or a bow. They often depend on the time of day, for example, “good morning” or “good evening”.

Cultural Variations

Different cultures have unique greetings. In Japan, people bow, while in France, they kiss on the cheek. Understanding these can help us connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

In conclusion, greetings are a simple yet powerful way of fostering mutual respect and understanding among individuals worldwide.

250 Words Essay on Greetings

The significance of greetings.

Greetings are a fundamental part of human interaction, serving as the initial point of contact between individuals. They are not merely formalities, but a means of expressing respect, acknowledging others, and facilitating communication. The significance of greetings extends beyond the mere act of saying ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’.

Cultural Aspect of Greetings

Cultures worldwide have diverse greeting customs that reflect their unique histories and values. For instance, in Japan, a bow signifies respect and humility, while in France, a kiss on each cheek is a warm gesture of friendship. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for fostering cross-cultural communication and respect.

Psychological Impact of Greetings

Psychologically, greetings can have profound effects on interpersonal relationships. A warm, sincere greeting can create a positive impression, promote trust, and set the tone for a constructive conversation. Conversely, a lackluster or insincere greeting can create distance and mistrust.

Societal Implications of Greetings

In a broader societal context, greetings play an essential role in maintaining social order. They act as social glue, reinforcing social norms and expectations. By acknowledging each other’s presence, we recognize our shared humanity and interconnectedness.

The Evolution of Greetings

With advances in technology, greetings have evolved beyond face-to-face interactions. Digital platforms have created new forms of greetings, such as emojis and GIFs, which add a visual and emotional dimension to digital communication.

In conclusion, greetings are a powerful tool for building connections, fostering mutual respect, and maintaining societal harmony. As we navigate our increasingly global and digital world, understanding the significance and nuances of greetings is more important than ever.

500 Words Essay on Greetings

The cultural significance of greetings.

A greeting is more than just a casual or formal exchange of words when meeting someone. It is a fundamental aspect of human interaction that serves as a gateway to personal connections and cultural understanding. Greetings, in their many forms, are a reflection of societal norms, values, and traditions.

Historically, greetings were a way to demonstrate peaceful intentions. The act of extending a hand, for instance, was a sign that one was unarmed. This gesture has evolved into the modern handshake, a universal symbol of goodwill and respect. Similarly, the Roman salute, a military greeting, has morphed into various forms of salutes in today’s armed forces.

Greetings have also evolved with the advent of technology. The digital age has introduced new forms of greetings, such as emoticons and GIFs, which serve as non-verbal cues in written communication. These digital greetings, while less personal, have become an integral part of our online interactions, highlighting the adaptability of human communication.

Global Diversity in Greetings

Greetings vary significantly across cultures, reflecting unique societal norms and values. In Japan, the bow is a traditional form of greeting that signifies respect and humility. The depth of the bow varies depending on the social status of the person one is greeting. On the other hand, in New Zealand, the traditional Māori greeting, the hongi, involves the pressing of noses and foreheads, symbolizing the exchange of breath and the sharing of life.

In many African cultures, greetings are elaborate affairs that involve inquiries about one’s family and well-being, reflecting the value placed on community and relationships. Meanwhile, in Western societies, greetings are typically brief and to the point, mirroring the emphasis on efficiency and individualism.

Psychologically, greetings play a vital role in establishing rapport and building relationships. A warm, sincere greeting can make people feel acknowledged and valued, fostering a sense of belonging. On the contrary, a cold or indifferent greeting can create a barrier, leading to feelings of exclusion or discomfort.

Moreover, greetings can influence perceptions and judgments. For instance, a firm handshake is often associated with confidence and reliability, while a weak handshake may be perceived as a lack of assertiveness or enthusiasm.

Conclusion: The Power of Greetings

In conclusion, greetings are a powerful tool of communication that transcend mere words. They serve as a mirror to societal norms and values, a testament to cultural diversity, and a catalyst for human connection. As our world continues to evolve and become more interconnected, understanding and appreciating the significance of greetings in different cultures can promote empathy, respect, and unity among diverse populations.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Go Green
• Essay on Green Movement
• Essay on Green Day

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example

If you’re a student, you’ve heard about a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Most students have to produce dozens of them during their educational career. 

Writing a formal essay may not be the easiest task. But fear not: our custom-writing team is here to guide you through the process. This article will:

• explain what a formal essay is;
• show how to write it step by step;
• provide you with an essay sample. 

👔 Formal Essay Definition

• ✅ How to Write
• ✍️ Writing Rules
• 🖥️ Essay Format
• 📑 Sample Paper

🔍 References

A formal essay is a well-structured piece of writing with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This type of essay often includes cited research, uses an academic tone, and is written in 3rd person. While writing a formal essay, it’s necessary to back up your arguments with factual evidence.

What Is an Informal Essay vs. Formal Essay?

Essays come in two formats: formal and informal (also known as personal .) They differ in terms of style and context. You can choose one of the formats depending on the situation and the type of paper you need to write.

Don’t know how to tell the difference between them? Well, here are some key characteristics of these essay types:

As you can see, these types of writing are almost total opposites. Informal essays are only reserved for creative assignments, which means that most of the papers you write need to be formal.

Our article on creative essays can help you write an informal paper. But how do you craft a perfect formal essay? Keep reading to find out.

✅ How to Write a Formal Essay

Traditionally, a formal essay it’s composed of 3 sections: an introduction, 3 or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let’s examine each part in detail.

Formal Essay Introduction

The introduction is what your essay starts with. Its primary goal is to catch the reader’s attention with a hook, briefly introduce the topic, and lead toward the thesis statement located at the end of the first paragraph.

Here is what you might want to keep in mind while writing the introduction:

If you want some more inspiration for your introduction, check out our article on hooks in writing .

Now on to the thesis statement : the key idea of your essay. When working on it, keep in mind that it should answer the central question in your topic and reflect your essay’s overall structure. your essay’s overall structure.

Suppose your topic is related to the teaching methods involving poetry. In that case, the thesis statement can be like this:

Teaching methods that involve reading and writing poetry in elementary school are beneficial for children as they enhance their capacity for empathy, develop creativity, and help with self-realization.

Formal Essay Body

The next part of an essay is the main body paragraphs. They support the thesis statement with well-developed arguments and explore the topic in-depth. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence stating its main point. The length of a paragraph can vary, but the best option is to have between 4 and 7 sentences.

To make the text flow easily, you may use transitional words. Here are some examples:

• after all, 
• for instance, 
• on the one/other hand, 
• initially, 
• as a result.

How to Write a Formal Essay Conclusion

Lastly, every essay needs closure. A good conclusion summarizes the essay’s main ideas, includes a paraphrased thesis, and encourages the readers to think more about the topic.

The structure of a conclusion may change slightly depending on the subject. For instance, it can suggest some solutions to a problem, express an opinion, or give a recommendation. It’s important to remember that the conclusion is a part that emphasizes your essay’s most important points and doesn’t introduce new information.

If you’re curious about writing each essay part, check out our article on 5-paragraph essays .

✍️ Formal Writing Rules

Just like choosing the proper attire to wear to a formal event, we need to use the right words while writing a formal essay. Here are some suggestions that can help you maintain a formal tone in your paper:  

Dos of formal writing

• Pay attention to your vocabulary. The words you will use in a formal essay will likely have a nuanced meaning. Make sure you know exactly what the terms mean, and do your best to sound precise.
• Use punctuation correctly. Here are some of the things to watch out for: Avoid exclamation marks; Use dashes for insertions; Use colons with enumerations; If you’re unsure of whether to use a punctuation mark or not, rewrite the sentence in a way that doesn’t require it.
• Use varied sentence structure. In formal writing, there is always a danger of sounding monotonous. Avoid repeating sentence structures to make your essay more readable.
• Provide references. It’s essential to cite every idea that you borrow. Try to paraphrase quotations from your sources: it will help you avoid plagiarism.

Don’ts of formal writing

• Avoid using pronouns.  With words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” an essay becomes wordy. It also makes the author seem less sure of their ideas. If you want to use personal pronouns, try substituting them with words like “the reader,” “viewers,” or “one.”
• Avoid using slang expressions and nonstandard diction. Slang words in a formal essay will make it less appealing to the readers. If you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid those expressions and use proper Standard English.
• Avoid informal tone.  When you write a formal essay, incorporate the language and the expressions you would use while delivering a speech, not the words you use when you casually talk to friends. A formal tone suggests that the author is serious about the topic and respects the audience.
• Avoid passive voice. Passive verbs are hard to read, and they are wordy. Use active voice to sound more straightforward and concise.

Contractions in Formal Writing

A contraction is usually a combination of two words into one, such as “don’t,” “isn’t,” “can’t,” and “wouldn’t.” When you work on a formal essay, it’s essential to be careful about contractions. It’s inappropriate to use them in academic writing, so it’s best to stick to the full variant.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, when working with direct quotations, it’s essential to reproduce words exactly as they are used in the original. To learn more about it, be sure to check out the University of North Florida’s article on in-text citations .

What to Use Instead of “You” in an Essay

Another common mistake students make is using the “you” and “yours” pronouns to address the readers. This mistake can make the essay overly informal and lead to misinterpretations of the text.

How do you fix it? Our advice is to replace 2nd-person pronouns with the following words:

• individuals,

You can find more formal writing tips in this informative video from Smrt English:

🖥️ Formal Essay Format

Now that we’ve discussed formal essay writing in detail, it’s time to look at the formatting. A formal essay is usually written in MLA or APA formats. If you’re asked to write a paper in one of these formats, you may find the guidelines below helpful:

📑 Formal Essay Example

Here is an excellent sample of a formal essay that uses all the guidelines mentioned in this article. It will help you to produce a perfect paper of your own:

For more information, check out Purdue OWL’s resources on various formatting styles .

Formal Essay Topics

• Stress management techniques 
• The effects of coffee
• Negative effects of technology on children 
• Causes and outcomes of organizational conflicts in sports
• Different types of friends 
• Same-sex marriages in the United States
• Are early marriages harmful or beneficial? 
• How do nutrition and hydration improve athletes’ performance?
• Is polygamy morally acceptable? 
• Different features of sports business
• What characterizes friendship in the age of media? 
• Positive and negative effects of tourism on environment in the Caribbean
• How does society treat single parents? 
• How does the uninvolved parenting style affect child’s future well-being?
• The role of family relationships in Odyssey  
• Financial concepts in sport finance
• Main features of a strong marriage 
• The importance of media coverage for sport teams
• Reasons why students choose to get internship 
• The role of stadiums in the sports industry
• The multiracial family: the Carters case analysis 
• Characteristics of children’s sports
• Crucial factors affecting health fitness
• How is technology used in hotel management?
• Structure and operational context of Four Seasons
• What are the main qualities of a true friend?
• Different websites that promote rental properties
• The imperative aspects of tourism
• Importance of hotel training
• What factors determine adolescents’ adjustment after they experience parental divorce ?
• How does tobacco use affect the human body? 
• The importance of language and world view for communication
• What makes a combination of reinforcement and punishment in parenting efficient?
• The scientific approach of sports economics
• How does divorce affect children?
• Living on-campus vs. living off-campus when attending university: a comparison
• How does the New Moves program promote a healthy lifestyle?
• How to be an effective counselor
• Various types of restaurants in Ireland
• Carolina Dog’s characteristics
• Comparison of Monzameon’s The Love Suicides at Amijima and Tartuffe by Moliere 
• Comparing homosexual and heterosexual families
• How is family presented in Everyday Use by Alice Walker ?
• In what ways can Anaerobic Threshold be assessed?
• Is bad parenting a healthcare problem?
• Why student-athletes should benefit from sports
• Mind-body awareness and its health benefits
• Can punishment boost academic performance?
• Techniques to teach students swimming
• Issues faced by the sports licensing field

Thanks for reading through this guide! We hope that you found it helpful and now have a better idea of how to write an excellent formal essay. Don’t hesitate to share our article with a friend who may need it. Good luck!

Further reading:

• How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Examples & Outline
• What Is a Discourse Analysis Essay: Example & Guide
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
• How to Write a Précis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 

❓ Formal Essay FAQs

It’s best not to use pronouns such as “I,” “my,” “we,” “our,” etc., in a formal essay since it give the paper an informal tone and the text becomes wordy. It also makes the writer seem less sure about their ideas.

It’s better to avoid using parentheses and dashes in formal academic writing. If the information you want to include in the essay is important enough, it should be a part of the sentence. Otherwise, you can simply omit it.

The formal and informal essays differ in style and context. While a formal essay is a piece of well-structured writing that tries to convince the reader by providing arguments, an informal essay has no set structure. It reflects the author’s personal thoughts or opinions.

Starting your sentence with “because” in formal writing is not the best idea. The word “because” is a subordinate conjunction, which means it’s used to join the main clause to a subordinate clause, not to start a sentence.

It’s best to avoid using 1st- and 2nd-person pronouns, slang expressions, nonstandard diction, and contractions in a formal essay. They are primarily used in daily speech and are considered inappropriate in academic writing. 

• Point of View in Academic Writing: St. Louis Community College
• Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
• Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona Global Campus
• How to Improve Your Academic Writing: University of York
• Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing: University of California, Berkeley
• Academic Writing Style: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: University of Southern California
• Formal and Informal Style: Northern Illinois University
• Formal Writing: Davenport University: LibGuides
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Formal Letter Writing: How and What for

How to write a professional letter in English: features and nuances

Essay-editor team wants to share useful tips on the creation of formal letters, their styles, structure, proper formatting, greeting, and closure. Official letter creation can make many people worry about their writing skills and poor vocabulary for official correspondence. However, if you adhere to our recommendations, you will manage to create an excellent business letter and you can always rely on support of our qualified paper editor anytime.

Proper official letter format

The composition of official letters usually consists of such components as:

• Letter heading – your name and address
• Name and address of receiver.
• Sender’s initials.
• Attachments.

General writing rules

Use proper format and greeting. There are particular standards of official letter formatting in English, though some deviations are also acceptable (for instance, when it goes about correspondence in British English and American English).

It is crucial to make a good first impression when a letter is started. Use proper greeting for this purpose. If needed, in case if a letter is not in electronic form, mention the address and last name of a receiver in upper right corner. Then start writing.

Make sure that receiver’s full name is correctly written. Use “Dear Sir/Madam” in case when it is unknown whom exactly you appeal to.

How to start a formal letter: samples of the forms of address

• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr. Green
• Dear Jack Johnson
• Dear Customer

As a rule, official letters are of an official nature and the manner of speech should always be respectful. Inquiry letters always maintain modal verbs to make a request as much respectful as possible. For instance, it is rude to say: “I want to see you in our office on Wednesday”, it would be better: “Could you be so kind and visit our office on Wednesday?”. Letters of complaint should be respectful as well and not too exciting. For instance, if delivering was delayed and, consequently, it delayed the production, it would be correct to say: “The delivering was six weeks delayed and that led to delay of our production transportation”. If you inform about sad news or apologize, it is necessary to indicate nicely and tactfully the reason for a problem. Do you want to know more about a complaint letter? Follow the link then: https://essay-editor.net/blog/complaint-letter-make-everyone-take-you-seriously .

Mention your aim

In an English official letter, the aim of address is clarified in the first paragraph, after that the main idea follows. There are 3 common features of formal letter types:

• They clarify the essence and answer the question “what is it?”.
• They are concise and not rude.
• They contain positive words: “thank you”, “welcome”, “glad”, “obliged”, “appreciate”, “congratulate”, “successfully”, “approve”, etc.

Formal business letter format: tips on official letter creation

1.   When creating your letter, it is necessary to adhere to simplicity and targeting so that the essence of your letter would be clear.

2.   Try to speak simply.

3.   The finest option to begin a letter is to present its aim. It is called a direct approach, and it defines the tone of the whole letter, gripping the reader’s interest.

4.   However, if your letter contains sad news, the straightforward approach is inappropriate. Instead, use an indirect approach, pointing at sad news in the 2nd or 3rd paragraph.

5.   Greeting and introductory part should be respectful. Always be attentive to the attempts and sensitivity of a reader.

6.   It is required to present the nuances of a problem after introduction.

7.   Inform about the causes for a made decision.

8.   Keep single line spacing and double spaces between paragraphs, use left-alignment, and adhere to shorter sentences and precise paragraphs.

9.   Be honest and treat with respect time of a person who will read it: this person is working (most likely) so cut to the chase.

10. Put the needs of other people ahead of yours. Instead of speaking about what you expect from them, say what they can get from you.

11. Be careful and attentive with the name of a receiver (either person or company).

12. Make your tone casual but professional, do not be too official.

13. Avoid slang, excessive self-confidence, arrogance, and boasting.

14. Prefer passive voice along with personal pronouns. Read more about active and passive sentence structure on our blog.

15. A request for action should finalize your writing every time.

16. Leave space after greeting and before closure.

17. Make double space between the final sentence and ending part.

18. If necessary, leave 4 or 5 spaces for a hand-written signature.

19. Official letter should be printed on white paper of A4 format.

20. Finalize letter professionally and respectfully as well.

We want to emphasize an essential point: bear in mind to check your letter for errors at least twice. Of course, the best option is to delegate this task to the specialists. Send us your letter and Essay-editor professionals will polish it.

E-mail advantages

An electronic business letter is much easier to create than an ordinary one. However, it happens sometimes that a letter does not open – this is a disadvantage, of course. It is better to make sure that a letter will be delivered. For this purpose, control the process and enable the reverse notification option.

Also, it can be required to submit a letter with a hand-written signature, documents approved by the seal, scanned papers, etc. (it depends on the purpose and receiver). Here the decision is obvious: send a regular one by post. However, remember that e-mail is money-saving (it is usually free unlike regular letters that require to pay for the envelope, stamps, delivering, and so on) and environmentally friendly (unlike those that require using paper). Remember about the trees!

Also, bear in mind our on-line writing agency: here you can specify all the nuances related to official English directly from experienced experts: https://essay-editor.net/blog/a-tricky-task--how-to-proofread-my-document-properly . Take your chances and be acknowledged!

Formal letter closure

The final part of your written masterpiece should contain something like “Do not hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions”, or if you attach additional materials, use such words and phrases as: “I am enclosing…” or “Please find the attached …”

Closure mainly depends on the relationships with the receiver. Prefer “Yours faithfully” if the receiver is unknown to you, and “Yours sincerely” for the receivers you are familiar with. Do not confuse them! Your sincerity for a strange person may seem pretty suspicious and cause embarrassment.

For less official letter, it is allowed using: “Best regards” or “Kind regards”. When finishing your writing, it is required to mention your last name, title, and sign the paper. Once again, we emphasize the importance of checking the letter for errors before sending it. Our team of professional editors and proofreaders will cope perfectly with the task.

After the closure phrase, put comma and write your data in a new line: a) name, b) e-mail address, c) phone number. Of course, there should be no “Later”, “Thanks”, “TTYL”, “Warmly”, “Cheers”, and other similar colloquialisms.

Formal letter writing in English can make many people worry about their skills and scarcity of vocabulary for formal correspondence. However, if you follow our tips and recommendations, you will create an outstanding formal letter in English. Trust is above all!

The structure of a typical letter is the sequence of the following elements:

• Name and Address of Recipient
• Typist initials

Left-hand side: recipient’s details in this order

• [Company Letterhead]
• [Recipient’s Name, Position]
• Dear [Name]:

This is the most typical way to present the details of a recipient when creating a formal letter. It can vary depending on the type of letter, however, in most cases it is more or less the same.

Proofread it

It is always obligatory to check a letter for mistakes, misprints and other possible inaccuracies. When you finish to create it, it is better to wait for a while, to have some rest, and only then to check the text. However, the best option is to appeal to a professional proofreader or another specialist who will check your letter competently. Our specialists are the best assistants, and they will be happy to help you. Thus, we would want to share what points you need to focus on when checking a letter for mistakes.

Once again, do not forget to recheck your letter for mistakes (at least twice).

Of course, it is always better to turn to a professional proofreader who will do it for you quickly and properly. You will not waste time but get a great error-free text that will make a positive impression on a reader.

How to check a letter in English?

Here are some more pieces of advice for better formal letter writing. These are the tips for a final check before sending:

• Check if the font size, style and color are appropriate for a particular type of formal letter.
• Have a break – drink a cup of coffee and, after that, reread your text again.
• A good tip is to print a letter and read it aloud. It will help notice the mistakes and some excessive elements that can be removed or shortened.

Read your text backwards, starting with the last sentence and moving to the first one.

So you have done it. Now read text carefully to make sure that you have presented your thoughts clearly and precisely. That is it! Send your letter to its receiver without hesitation.

Read, in addition:

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15 Ways To Expand Your Vocabulary

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The Finest Academic English Editor Online

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How to Say Greetings Before Presentation: Formal and Informal Ways

When it comes to giving a presentation, it’s essential to start off on the right foot by greeting your audience. The greeting sets the tone for the entire presentation and helps establish a connection with your listeners. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say greetings before a presentation. We’ll also provide tips, examples, and even discuss regional variations if necessary. So let’s dive right in!

Formal Greetings

Formal greetings are suitable for professional settings, such as business meetings, conferences, or academic presentations. These greetings project a sense of professionalism and respect for your audience. Here are some formal greetings you can use:

“Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen.”

This is a classic and widely used formal greeting that works well for any time of the day. It addresses your audience in a polite and respectful manner, acknowledging their presence and setting a positive tone.

“Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and respected members of the audience.”

This greeting is particularly useful when addressing a highly esteemed audience, such as senior executives, industry experts, or renowned professionals. It conveys a sense of honor and respect, recognizing their importance and expertise.

“Thank you all for being here today.”

Expressing gratitude is always a great way to start a presentation. By thanking your audience for their time and presence, you establish a positive rapport and show that you value their participation.

Informal Greetings

Informal greetings, on the other hand, are suitable for less formal or casual presentations. They create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, which can help put your audience at ease. Let’s take a look at some examples of informal greetings:

“Hello everyone!”

Keeping it simple and straightforward, this informal greeting works well for most situations. It instantly creates a friendly vibe and shows your enthusiasm to engage with your audience.

“Hey folks!”

This informal greeting is more energetic and casual. It is particularly suitable for presentations that involve a younger or more informal audience, such as workshops, student gatherings, or team meetings.

“Good to see you all!”

This greeting conveys a warm and welcoming tone. By expressing how pleased you are to see your audience, you create an immediate connection that can greatly enhance audience engagement throughout your presentation.

Tips for Effective Greetings

No matter if you choose a formal or informal greeting, there are some tips you should keep in mind to ensure that your greeting has the desired impact:

1. Be confident

Confidence is key when giving a presentation. Make sure to deliver your greeting with a clear, strong voice and maintain eye contact with your audience. This will help you establish credibility and gain the attention of your listeners.

2. Consider the audience

Tailor your greeting to your specific audience and the context of your presentation. Gauge their level of formality and adjust your greeting accordingly. Understanding your audience will allow you to connect with them more effectively.

3. Smile and be genuine

A warm and genuine smile can go a long way in making your audience feel comfortable and welcomed. It shows that you are approachable and creates a positive first impression.

4. Practice and rehearse

Rehearsing your greeting beforehand will help ensure that it flows smoothly and confidently. Practice in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend to receive feedback and make any necessary improvements.

Examples of Regional Variations

While greetings before presentations generally follow similar patterns across different regions, it’s interesting to note a few variations influenced by local culture. Here are a couple of examples:

In Japan, it is customary to begin a presentation with a formal greeting, usually by saying “Konnichiwa” followed by a bow. This reflects the Japanese culture of politeness and respect for others.

Middle East

In some Middle Eastern countries, it is customary to start a presentation with an exchange of pleasantries and greetings, often accompanied by handshakes. This reflects the importance placed on building personal relationships and creating a warm atmosphere.

In conclusion, the way you say greetings before a presentation can significantly impact how your audience perceives you and your message. Whether opting for a formal or informal approach, choose a greeting that suits the context and audience. Remember to be confident, genuine, and considerate of cultural variations when applicable. By starting your presentation with a positive greeting, you establish a strong foundation for a successful and engaging presentation. Good luck!

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Written by Mohammed Matthew

Hello there! I'm Mohammed, a language fanatic and explorer of social expressions. Books are my sanctuaries and writing has always been my solace. A focused creator, I have a flair for elaborating unique methods of pronunciation, and a knack for making language informal or formal as needed in diverse scenarios. When I am not bringing life to words, you'll find me absorbed in mythology or immersing myself in the world of salsa dancing. Whether it's helping you to pronounce 'Acebutolol' or guiding you to say 'goodbye' in Singaporean style, I’ve got your language needs covered!

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Email Writing

Email generator.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the future of letter writing– electronic mail writing. Gone are the days where people have to wait for weeks to receive a letter from a friend or a significant other. The concept of pen pals is no longer applicable when everyone from any part of the world can be contacted almost immediately– depending on your Internet speed and the kind of social media site you are using. If there are certain laws in your country that prevent you from accessing Google-related sites or even Facebook-owned sites, (e.g. China) then you would have to find another way to contact your fellow peers and colleagues using whatever mobile apps they have (e.g. WeChat). You may also see formal writings .

Regardless, almost all forms of communication (except face-to-face talking) is already done through the use of modern technology that is able to fill the gap between the distance among people. The use of electronic mail writing these days are for more semi-formal and formal purposes (e.g. submitting a resume, asking your college instructor for some clarifications, making a business transaction) than casual purposes (e.g. chatting with a friend). You may also see some email examples by clicking here. For newbies who do not know the first thing about email writing, here are a few tips for you. You may also see application writings .

Sample Email Writing Example

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General Tips for Writing Emails in English

1. be sure an email is necessary.

Ask yourself if sending an email is really the best option to use in addressing the query or issue to the concerned party. Because if the matter at hand is something not so important or confidential, it can always be dealt directly with the aforementioned party. But then again, it is entirely up to your discretion. If you’ve decided that an email is the best option, then write your email and click “send”. You may also see article writings .

2. Use separate business and personal email addresses

Many jobs will normally give you an email address that you have to use, in case you have concerns or questions that you would want to raise to your boss or supervisor. Make sure that you strictly use your work email for work matters and personal email address for personal matters. Having a work email can look and sound more professional. That’s good if you’re writing a formal email, but it might not be as nice if you’re writing to a friend. You may also see memo writings .

3. Be clear, brief and polite

Everyone in the office is usually bombarded with emails every single day. That is why it is always best to keep the content of the message short, simple and concise enough so that they may be able to understand the gist of the letter without straining so much effort and time. Go straight to the point, but not in a rude and condescending way. Write your email just like you would in an essay. Similar to an essay, you have to introduce the topic, explain the different points, and then conclude the topic. You may also see summary writings .

4. Don’t write emails when you’re angry

They say that there is a right time for everything– which includes expressing that rage and anger towards the person. But never in an email. Keep in mind that you have to be respectful and courteous to the one you are sending that letter to.

5. Use short sentences

Just as it is important to keep the content of your message short and simple, it is also essential to keep the sentences simple and easy to read in order to keep your thoughts cohesive and understandable. Try your best not to use very lengthy sentences in your letter. Instead, learn to break down each separate thought with a ‘period’. You may also see minutes writings .

6. Be careful with “forward” and “reply to all”

The “forward” button is considered a lifesaver especially when you do not have the files you need to send to your boss or colleague, and you realize you sent that specific file to someone else who needed it before they did. So, you simply use that forward button in order to save time and effort. But make sure that the content of the forwarded message is meant for that specific person. Otherwise, it is best you delete the rest and to just retain the file that is needed to be sent. The same can be said for the “reply to all” option. If your supervisor has sent a joint message to recipients A, B, and C, make sure you only reply to your supervisor and not reply to all the concerned parties mentioned, especially if it is not really “need to know” information by the others. You may also see narrative writings

7. Read your email personally before sending it

Since you are the one composing the email, it would be best if you took the time to proofread the letter just to make sure that the grammar is in tact and that the thoughts are coherent enough for your letter to be organized and understandable. This will prevent the email recipient from struggling to understand your email.

8. Double-check email addresses for all recipients

Make sure that the recipient’s email address is correct. Be careful as there are times that email addresses are structured in a similar way. You may also see argumentative writings .

Sports Email Writing Example

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The 3 Common Types of Emails

1.  a personal email –  introducing yourself for the first time.

As mentioned before, most people do not write personal emails to each another anymore. They would mostly communicate through texting, calling, or via any social media applications that do not really need much formality (e.g. Facebook Messenger, Viber, WeChat). But if ever you are the conservative type of person, then here are a few guidelines that you would need to follow.

General rules for personal emails:

• Politeness:  You don’t need to be too formal, but you would want to appear polite and friendly when you address the recipient. If you have any requests that you would need to ask from your friends, make sure that you are polite in doing so. Instead of saying “Write me back,” for example, try something like “If you have a chance, I’d love to hear back from you,” or even “Please write back when you have a chance.”
• Greetings:  For greetings, people would normally use the first name after the word “Dear”.
• Closings: To say goodbye, use something like “Thank you”, “See you soon!” or even a brief sentence like “I’m really looking forward to meeting you in person.” Be sure to write/type your name, even if it will be included in your signature.
• Casualness:  With these types of emails, you can probably include more jokes or informal comments. However, still be careful about the tone of your email, especially if you don’t know the recipient well.

Example of a personal email:

For this example, let’s imagine that you are going abroad for the summer, say the United States or Canada. When you get there, you’ll be staying with a host family. There is a great chance that you will need to introduce yourself via email. Listed below is a sample:

Dear Smith Family,

My name is Mark. I received a confirmation letter from the exchange organization today. It said I’ll be staying with you for three months later this year. I wanted to introduce myself so you can know a bit more about me.

I’m currently 17 years old. I like listening to classical music, playing football and reading comic books. I will graduate from high school later this year, and I hope to go to college in the next year. I’ve never traveled outside of my country, so meeting you and visiting your country will be an exciting, new experience! 

I’d also like to know more about you, so if you have a chance, please write back at this email address. If you have any questions for me, I’d be happy to answer them.

Thanks again for agreeing to host me—I’m very excited to meet you in person!

2. A Semi-Formal Email – Writing to request an appointment or meeting

This is a very common type of email, especially when you need to write to your teacher to request a meeting.

General rules for semi-formal emails:

• Length:  Follow the K.I.S.S. (keep it short and simple). Remember that you are talking to a professional. These types of people do not have the luxury of time to thoroughly go through your letter, sentence per sentence. So, go straight to the point on what you want to discuss. After all, other concerns can be resolved during the meeting.
• Respect:  Remember that you’re requesting a favor from the recipient, so be respectful and not too demanding.
• Greetings:  Use formal or semi-formal greetings. You can still use “Dear ~,” but instead of including the recipient’s first name, use their title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Prof. etc.) and last name.
• Closings: Depending on the purpose, you can probably use a semi-formal goodbye, such as “Thanks,” “Hope to hear from you soon” or “Thanks in advance.” If it’s someone you have talked to before in person, you can maybe use something less formal, like “Have a great weekend.”
• Clarity:  If you’re requesting for a specific day, that day/date and time should be set. Try to give multiple options. That way, if your first option doesn’t work out, your recipient has other dates/times to choose from.

Example of a semi-formal email:

Dear Professor Constantine,

I really enjoyed your Introduction to Witchcraft Course, and I was interested in continuing by taking the Advanced Demonology Course next semester. I’d like to meet with you to ask a few questions about the course, and also to get more information about the scholarship for international students.

Would it be possible to meet with you at your office sometime next week? I’m available during your regular office hours on Tuesday and Wednesday (1-4 p.m.), but if you’re busy on those days, I could also meet any time on Monday or on Friday afternoon. Please let me know what day and time would work best for you.

Thanks very much for your time and help!

Gary Oldman

3. A Formal Email – Writing about a problem with a product

General rules for formal emails:.

• Politeness:  Follow Confucius’ Golden Rule which is, “Do not do unto others want you others to do unto you.”
• Formality: Avoid making jokes and using slang words.
• Clarity:  Be clear by including any relevant details.
• Requests: State the result or response that you want or expect. This is also called making your email “actionable.”
• Greetings: For greetings, use a common phrase like “To Whom It May Concern,” since you probably won’t know the name of the person who will be receiving the email. But if you do know the name, you can use “Dear [Title] [Last Name],” like the one in the semi-formal email example.

If those seem  too formal, you may want to try something like “Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening.” It could make you seem friendly and make the recipient more receptive to your complaint or questions.

• Closings: For goodbyes, a simple “Sincerely Yours” is best. But if it’s a more casual company or an organization that you’ve already interacted with, you can always say “Thanks”.

Example of a formal email:

To Whom It May Concern,

I recently bought a magic wand from Hogwarts, but unfortunately it appears that the wand is not working correctly.

For reference, the model number is TOS-577, and I bought it on May 1, 2016 from Dumbledore at Hogwarts. I returned the magic wand to the store, but they said I should contact you since you would have an idea on how to fix the wand. Because of that, they weren’t able to offer a refund or exchange.

I can understand Hogwarts’ position, but the magic wand shouldn’t have broken so soon. It is still covered under the school’s warranty, so I would like to exchange the magic wand for a working model. Please let me know what steps I need to take for this to happen.

Thanks very much for your help with this situation.

Sincerely, Voldemort

Business Conference Call Email Writing Example

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Just remember these steps in writing an email and you’ll be able to get it in no time.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

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