How to start a formal email in English

• Hi John,
• Dear Sarah,

Always remember that choosing the right recipient is fundamental to creating effective and professional email communication.

Using an appropriate greeting

The greeting is the first thing the recipient will see in your email, so make sure you use an appropriate one. If you are writing a formal email, you should use "Dear" followed by the recipient's name.

Example:

Dear Mr. Smith,

If you don't know the recipient's name, you can use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam". However, always try to do research to find out the recipient's name, as this shows greater attention and respect for the person you are addressing.

Example:

To whom it may concern,

In addition, if you have had previous contact with the recipient, you can use "Hello" or "Hi" followed by their name. This can be more informal but still professional.

Example:

Hello John,

Remember that the greeting should be followed by a comma and then begin your letter.

• Formal: Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [last name],
• Unknown: To whom it may concern / Dear Sir/Madam,
• Informal-professional: Hello/Hi [name],

Starting with a formal opening sentence

When writing a formal email in English, it is important to start with an appropriate opening sentence to create a professional and respectful atmosphere. The first impression counts a lot, so choosing the right words is essential.

Common greeting formulas

Here are some greeting formulas you can use:

• Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr. Last Name, - This is the most common and formal greeting formula. It is used when you know the recipient's name.
• Dear Sir/Madam, - This formula is used when you don't know the recipient's name or when addressing a company or organization.
• To whom it may concern, - This formula is used when you don't know who will be the recipient of the email.

In addition, if the person you are addressing has an academic or professional title, make sure to use it in your email. For example:

• Dear Professor Smith,
• Dear Dr. Johnson,
• Dear Attorney Brown,

Remember that, regardless of the greeting formula you choose, you should always follow with a comma.

Here are some examples of how to start a formal email:

• Dear Mr. Johnson,
• Dear Sir/Madam,
• To whom it may concern,

In general, the choice of greeting formula depends on the level of formality of the situation and the relationship with the recipient. When writing to a customer or business partner, for example, it is important to use a formal greeting formula to show respect and professionalism.

Concluding the opening email.

After writing the introductory part of the email, it is important to conclude appropriately.

The conclusion should be brief and simple, but at the same time professional. Here are some examples:

• Best regards,
• I remain available for any clarifications.
• Sincerely,
• Kind regards,
• Thank you for your time.

In addition, if you need a response within a certain period of time, you can include a sentence like:

• I look forward to your response by next Friday.
• Please let me know as soon as possible.

Remember that the conclusion should always reflect the objective of the email and the tone used in the introductory part.

Conclusions

Starting a formal email in English may seem intimidating, but by following these simple steps, you will be able to write an effective and elegant email. Always remember to use a professional and courteous tone, adapting the language to the person or company you are communicating with. In addition, it is important to pay attention to formatting and spelling to ensure impeccable presentation. With a little practice, you will be able to write formal emails in English without any difficulty.