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Thread: writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

  1. 13-Apr-2012, 14:59 #1
    matani
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    Exclamation writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

    Eeons ago I was taught that to make your letter sound VERY formal you should start with writing "I write to (complain, enquire, etc.)" Now that my son showed me his FCE book, I am not sure. It just says "I am writing to..."
    Is it a mistake to use present simple in such introduction or is it really more formal.
    Thanks in advance for any advice.
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  2. 13-Apr-2012, 15:03 #2
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    Default Re: writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

    Welcome to the forum, matani.

    "I write to ..." is very dated.
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    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
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  3. 13-Apr-2012, 15:11 #3
    matani
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    Default Re: writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

    Quote Originally Posted by 5jj View Post
    Welcome to the forum, matani.

    "I write to ..." is very dated.
    But not wrong? As I said I was taught English grammar some 20 years ago (ie. eons )
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  4. 13-Apr-2012, 17:27 #4
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    Default Re: writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

    I'm surprised you were taught this as recently as 20 years ago. I would say it is so dated as to sound unnatural. You will draw more attention to the WAY you write than WHAT you write, and that is not a good thing when clear communication, in any register, is your goal.
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    I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
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  5. 14-Apr-2012, 13:31 #5
    Tdol
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    Default Re: writing a formal letter (of complaint) - present simple or continuous

    I was taught well over twenty years ago and I am writing was the form used.
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