uk
enLetters Of Complaint. Tips
- Letter of complaint is normally written in a formal style.
- Letters should start with an appropriate greeting (e.g. Dear Sir, Dear Brown, etc).
- Mild or strong language can be used depending on the feelings of the writer or the seriousness of the complaint, but abusive language must never be used.
- You should state the reason for the complaint in the first paragraph.
- Start a new paragraph for each different aspect of the topic.
- Any complaints you make should be supported with a justification.
- Complaints and justification can be linked with appropriate linking words and phrases.
Greeting a recipiant
| Formal | Semi-formal / Informal |
| Dear Sir/Dear Madam, | Dear friend, |
| Dear Sir/Madam, | - |
| Dear Mr Brown, | - |
| Dear Ms Brown, | - |
Opening remarks/reasons for writing
| Formal | Semi-formal / Informal |
|
I am writing to complain about / regarding / on account of / because of / on the |
I’m rather annoyed about … |
| I am writing to draw your attention to... | I’m disturbed about … |
| I am writing in connection with... | I cannot put up with… |
| I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction
with... |
I’ve had enough of … |
| I am afraid to say I have numbers of complaints about... | It was time you did… |
| I am sorry to say that I was very disappointed with... | I’m fed up with (someone doing) something |
| I was appalled at... | I have a complaint to make... |
| I feel I must protest/complain about... | Sorry to bother you but... |
| I am writing in order to complain about / I am writing to complain about | I'm sorry to say this but... |
| I am afraid I cannot tolerate… any longer | I'm afraid I've got a complaint about... |
| - | I'm afraid there is a slight problem with... |
| - | I'm angry about… |
| - | There seems to be a problem with… |
| - | There appears to be something wrong with… |
| - | I don’t understand why… |
| - | I was expecting ______ but… Would you mind…? |
| - | I hate to tell you but… |
Introducing the complaint
|
Formal |
Semi-formal / Informal |
| Firstly/In the first place |
The first problem was... |
| First of all | - |
| My first complaint is |
- |
| The first problem is |
- |
| The first thing I would like to complain about is… / draw your attention to is |
- |
| My first concern is |
- |
Introducing further complaints
|
Formal |
Semi-formal / Informal |
|
Secondly / In the second place Not only... but also Moreover was also unacceptable |
Another problem was... The most visible problem... |
| To make matters worse... | - |
| Even though, however, furthermore, finally etc. | - |
Development of ideas
| Formal | Semi-formal / Informal |
|
We ought to discuss the matter... |
- |
| I was very disappointed to find that... | - |
| I should have been informed that... | - |
| I believe you can appreciate how disappointed I was when... | - |
| I hope you will understand that I was very dissatisfied... | - |
Demanding actions as closing remarks
| Formal | Semi-formal / Informal |
|
I would be grateful if you could... |
- |
|
I propose that you replace the itemI therefore suggest that I be given a full refund |
- |
|
I would be grateful if my money was refunded |
- |
|
I would be appreciative if you could give me a full money back |
- |
|
I would be thankful if you could give me a full refund |
- |
|
I would like to hear your explanation for the above problems... |
- |
|
I would therefore be grateful if you could give me a full refund... |
- |
|
I would like a full refund as soon as possible... |
- |
|
I would like to have all or part of my money refunded... |
- |
|
I am not satisfied with... |
- |
|
I hope/assume you will replace... |
- |
|
I trust the situation will improve... |
- |
|
I demand a full refund... |
- |
|
I hope the matter will be resolved... |
- |
|
I hope we can sort this matter out amicably |
- |
|
I feel I am entitled to a partial refund in addition to an apology for the inconvenience caused - |
- |
|
I insist you replace the item at once... |
- |
| I hope that I will not be forced to take further action | - |
Endings
I look forward to hearing from youI / look forward to receiving a full refund
I look forward to receiving a replacement.
I look forward to receiving your explanation.
I look forward to hearing from you an your earliest convenience to offer me a complete refund.
I look forward to hearing your early reply.
I look forward to receiving a prompt reply.
