Question

Choose the best response.

In a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, how will you thank them in advance for the action they will take in response to your complaint?

a)Thank you for your attention in this matter.
b)Thanks for doing something about it.
c)I’m grateful that you will do the needful.
d)Thanks in advance for your future endeavour on the same.

Answer 1

Hint: Formal letters use the official language. They are addressed to people of importance, so, they need to be written in a respectable form of language.

Complete answer:

Formal letters are written to ask permission or request something from a higher authority. It is very important to follow the letter format. It is necessary to use simple and direct language.
Now, we know what entails writing a formal letter. Let’s look at our options one by one:

a)thank you for your attention in this matter - This is an example of official language. This is the kind of language that is supposed to be used in a formal letter. It is a simple language that is succinct, direct, and respectful. It contains no informal words. So, it is the correct option.
b)thanks for doing something about it - The word ‘thanks’ is an informal word. In formal letters, this kind of language is discouraged, because it is not an example of formal and official language. So, this is an incorrect option.
c)I’m grateful that you will do the needful - This sentence is presumptuous in its nature. It suggests that the person knows for sure that the needful will be done. This language, though official, is wrong. So, this option is incorrect.
d)thanks in advance for your future endeavor on the same - This sentence does not contain simple language. It is a very wordy sentence, which may not necessarily contain official language. Formal letters must have language that is succinct and simple. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Formal letters must use very formal and simple language and it is important to maintain that official language. Use this information to narrow down the given options and find the correct answer.