Learn English – Is using “I am writing to” in an email considered too formal or old-fashioned

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I have seen in a letter writing textbook (also many websites like this) while preparing for my English test that we should begin a letter like this :

Dear …,

I am writing to …

I have not seen this format in the last few months that I have lived in an English speaking country. Is the above format considered old-fashioned?

The most common format I have seen is like this:

Hi..,

(They never say "I am writing to …": they just start immediately.)

I am confused about which format to use in my work place to sound normal and at the same time stay polite.

Best Answer

It can be seen as a little old-fashioned, but more accurate would be to say it is formal to use "I am writing to". However, it is still common for business letters. It definitely gives a sense that the author and recipient do not have a close relationship.

We use indirection to create a polite distance in both written and spoken communication. The recipient of the letter knows that you wrote the letter at some time. There's no extra information in the words "I am writing", but those words show a polite distance.

Think of the following examples and sets of thoughts:

  • "I am writing to let you know you have won the grand prize."
    • ... he/she wrote the letter and sent it, which means they want to tell me this thing. They want to tell me this thing and they did tell me. I should believe this thing.
  • "I want to let you know that you have won the grand prize."
    • ... he/she wants to tell me this thing. They did tell me this thing. I should believe this thing.
  • "You have won the grand prize."
    • ... that's surprisingly direct!
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