When replying

[boozl]

Are there any rules concerning opening lines with the same old monotone opening lines used on the formal stuff every time such as:


In response to your email dated ..............

With reference to our telephone conversation yesterday.........

As regards the letter received from you on Monday .............


It seems that license to show any emotion is only given in light hearted emails such as:

I am delighted to confirm ...............

I was pleased to hear that........

It is with great sadness that.......

I find it hard to believe........


Are there any rules or is it just personal preference?

 

[kfredson]

Are there any rules concerning opening lines with the same old monotone opening lines used on the formal stuff every time such as:


In response to your email dated ..............

With reference to our telephone conversation yesterday.........

As regards the letter received from you on Monday .............


It seems that license to show any emotion is only given in light hearted emails such as:

I am delighted to confirm ...............

I was pleased to hear that........

It is with great sadness that.......

I find it hard to believe........


Are there any rules or is it just personal preference?

They all sound just fine to me. However, I hardly find "It is with great sadness" to be light-hearted. Perhaps you mean something else.

As for rules, I don't know of any. As for the first examples you give, I personally I don't find them to be monotone but simply straightforward.