I would like to write an email to one of my friend, who I did not contact for a long time. So, is it OK in English to say:
I am glad to write to you again.
or
I am pleased to write to you again.
Which one is more polite and correct?
Expressions – ‘Glad to Write to You Again’ vs ‘Pleased to Contact You Again’
expressionsgreetings
Related Solutions
Not only is it acceptable, it is also used quite frequently. You can also use other phrases such as "May I help you?", "Do you need help?", or "Would you like some help?". However, "Can I help you?" is probably used more often than other forms.
See Google Ngram Viewer: Can I help you, May I help you, Do you need help, Would you like some help:
Nowadays, social protocols regarding forms of address in 'polite society' in western English-speaking countries are much more relaxed than they were 100 or 200 years ago, especially in the USA (and even in stuffy old Britain).
Unless you're part of the Hollywood crowd or a London West End actor, most people would probably reserve 'Darling' for people with whom they have a romantic relationship. 'Dear' also implies a certain degree of (at least emotional) intimacy.
But I don't think age differences are much of a factor now in terms of the general expectations that people have about how they ought to address one another.
The chief exception is perhaps such limited circumstances as where a large status difference is coupled with an occasion of some formality, especially when it also involves an official hierarchy with its associated rules of proper conduct (such as pertains to a branch of the armed forces).
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Best Answer
Your question reminds me of another ELL question I've seen, one that asks about the difference between "urgent" and "a bit urgent".
I find these two questions interesting because you are asking about which of your options is more polite and correct, and I see it as more of a matter of formality, whereas the other question asked about which option is more formal, whereas I think it's more a matter of politeness.
In other words, both of your options are equally correct and equally polite. Where they differ is in their formality.
sounds very formal. I would be more likely to use this kind of language if I was writing a dignitary rather than a friend.
is less formal, but still not chummy. I might use this when emailing a colleague.
If I was writing someone I considered to be a good friend, I'd probably use something more along the lines of:
This is more emotive and suggests a close friendship.
However, you mention in your question that you have not corresponded with this friend for quite some time. That being the case, perhaps you don't want to sound too excited. I think your second option might be a good one to go with:
You might add the word finally, if you want to suggest you wish you could have written sooner: