If you are going to sound human and sincere in your letters, avoid superfluous and stilted expressions. Hackneyed and vague wording gives an impression of being offhand rather than polite.
NOT THIS ALTERNATIVES
Starchy beginnings
We respectfully acknowledge receipt of...
I have to acknowledge with thanks...
Yours of even date to hand.
We have pleasure in attaching...
Referring to your communication of...
The above mentioned...
We note your comments regarding...
The contents of which are noted...
This letter is for the purpose of requesting... Thank you for...
Thank you for...
We have your letter of the same date
We attach...
Concerning your letter of...
The... mentioned earlier
We note what you say about...
(or leave out)
We should be grateful if...
Pomposity
We beg to advise...
It will be appreciated that...
It is suggested that the reason... .
The undersigned/writer...
May we take this opportunity of...
Allow me to say in this instance...
Which you claim/state...
For your information...
We should point out that...
Having regard to the fact that...
Answer in the affirmative/negative...
We are giving the matter every consideration
We are not in a position to...
The opportunity is taken to mention...
Despatched under separate cover... (leave out)
You will appreciate that ...(or leave out)
The reason, we suggest, is ...(if courtesy needed)
The undersigned/writer (necessary if writing for the company "we")
May we ...
(leave out:)
Which, in your view, (where one is disagreeing by implication)
(leave out)
(leave out)
Since...
Let us know whether... or not
We are considering the matter
We cannot...
(leave out)
Sent separately
Coldness and bad psychology
Advise/inform
Desire
Learn/note
Obtain
Regret
Trust
Your complaint/dissatisfaction
Dictated but not read by Tell
Wish
See
Get
We are sorry
Hope
The matter you are taking up with us (or you raise)
Dictated by... and signed in his absence (or separate notification in the body of the letter)
Cliché endings
Thanking you in advance
Assuring you of our best attention at all times, we remain
Regretting our inability to be of service in this matter
Trusting we may be favoured with...
Awaiting a favourable reply
Please do not hesitate to...
Thank you once again (leave out)
(leave out)
We are sorry not to be able to help over this
Please let us have
(leave out)
Please...
(leave out)