Writing Recommendation Letters - Useful Phrases

When we want to either recommend a specific person or course of action for a B2 or C2-level English examination we have to be clear that we don't confuse these types of letters or emails with the typical, business recommendation letters prospective employers or administration offices at universities might require candidates to give.

At the exam you are about to sit, you will probably be required to play the part of someone who has been asked to

a)  nominate a peer for a position at school or at a club, or put someone's name forward for an award that is to be given or

b) suggest, among many other things, the best place to go on holiday or some activities that should held during a specific event which is set to take place, how to spend money at one's disposal, and so on.

The following post should help you organize such a letter or email (even an oral statement, if necessary) as well as give you some useful phrases you should keep in mind when writing your response (even giving your response at the oral exam).

Be careful! These types of letters are not the same as letters that give advice about a problem someone is having a hard time dealing with.They are not emails that answer advice column letters.

Well, now that we've clarified that, let's start with how you need to organize your answer.




Organization

Letters of recommendation, like any other formal piece of writing have

• an introduction
• a main body
• a conclusion

Before these three parts, you also have addresses, the date and the opening greeting. After the conclusion, there is a closing and your signature. For an exam, however, it's very unlikely that you will be asked to provide addresses.

See the layout of a letter at the end of this post for the positioning of the addresses, date and the opening and closing greetings.

In the introduction

Overall

• say who you are: give basic information about yourself. You do not need to state your name, as that will be evident at the end of the letter.

    Examples

• I am a 3rd year student at Fennmore High.
  

• I am a high school student and a volunteer at the local youth center.

• I am a member of this community and work part-time at the local library.

Step 2

• state the reason(s) why you are writing the letter. 
• state the name of the person you want to recommend or the topic you will make recommendations on.  
• state your relationship to this person (friend, relative, neighbor, etc.) or event.
• give a definitive statement that shows your opinion.

  Examples

• The reason I am writing is to recommend a classmate of mine for this year's Best Student Award.

• I would like to make some suggestions regarding the activities you wish to organize for the cultural exchange program this coming July.

• Having read your article in the local gazette regarding the considerable donation to the school made by Ms Smith, I would like give a few pointers as to how that money should be spent.

In the main body

• you give details about the person you are recommending or the course of action you are suggesting.

• each new point must be described clearly in a new paragraph.

   Examples

• From what I understand, for this year's award you are looking for someone with integrity. I believe my classmate Carl is a young man who displays decency and has a sense of honor very few adolescents his age exhibit. 

• If you want the event to be a success, what I think would be useful is to set up activities for people of all ages. Play areas for toddlers and booths aimed at attracting adults' attention will bring in much needed money for the charity you intend to sponsor.

• The whole sum of money should not be spent on a single project that would benefit the school. My proposal is that part of it be spent on improving the resource center and I say this for two reasons. The first is because ...

In the conclusion

• you should mention what you expect the person you are writing to, to do.
• you should also express your final thoughts on the topic without exactly repeating anything you've already stated earlier.

   Examples

• I hope I have been able to convince you of Carl's eligibility for this award. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

• I believe it is important for the fete to attract as many local citizens as possible, in view of the charitable nature of the event. I sincerely hope my suggestions will be taken into consideration and will help make this a day to remember.

• Seeing as there is a need for renovations and learning materials, the best course of action is to allocate approximately half of the money to upgrading the resource center and the other half towards the purchase of textbooks, lab equipment and musical instruments.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR USEFUL PHRASES FOR LETTERS OF COMPLAINT

Useful Phrases for Recommendation Letters/Emails 

The following phrases do not include the usual connecting words or phrases that all essays or letters should include, such as "furthermore", "in addition to this", "due to the fact that" and so on.

 [NOTE about phrases that contain parentheses: the words within the parentheses should be altered depending on the situation described in the rubric.]

 

Opening Greeting

• Dear Sir / Madam,
• Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. + last name,

Introduction

• I am writing in regard to (the notice in the local newspaper) about ...
• I am writing regarding ...
• I am writing on account of ...
• I am writing on the subject of ...
• I am writing to you in connection with ...
• I am writing to draw your attention to ...
• There are a range of options for you to choose from.
• In my opinion, you would be better to ... / it would be better to ...
• May I suggest that you ... / May I recommend that you ...
• I would like to make some suggestions ...
• I would like to recommend my (classmate/colleague/friend + person's name) for (the award/the position/job).
• I am sure I will be able to convince you that (he/she) is the best candidate (for this award/position/job).
• There are three things (the Council) can do to (raise money for this charity).
• I hope the following suggestions will be of some help to you. 
• I am happy to offer the following suggestions.

Main Body

• I would say that ...
• If I were you, I would ...
• The best advice I can give is to ...
• The most important thing to remember is ...
• I strongly recommend that ...
• I would suggest that ...
• I believe the best course of action would be to ...
• I believe the best course of action is ...
• As well as this, ...
• You should ...
• You ought to ...
• You might consider ...
• I think you should also consider ...
• Use of the Conditional, for example: If the committee were to organize events for everyone, then the day would be a successful one.

Conclusion

• I hope my recommendation will be taken into consideration ...
• I trust you will consider my recommendations / suggestions.
• I hope this will be of help.
• I hope I have been of assistance.
• I wish you well in whatever course of action you decide upon.
• Implementing these suggestions would ...
• If you (gave the award to Carl), I am sure you would be more than satisfied with your decision.
• If you (gave the award to Carl), I am sure (he/she) would be (worthy of it). 
• If you (gave the award to Carl), I am sure (he/she) would (fulfill the duties the position requires).

Closing 

• When the opening greeting is Dear Sir/Madam, we close with Yours faithfully,

• If we opened the letter with Dear + name, we close with Yours sincerely,

 

Letter Layout

 

 

Recipient’s address                                          Sender’s address                                                                                          Date Dear …, Introduction Main Body Conclusion Closing Signature Printed Name

FOR TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE LETTERS GIVING INFORMATION, CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW.