1. Write a letter in which you:

a) acknowledge the receipt of a letter,

b) express regret at being unable to comply with a request regarding the reprint of the paper ...;

c) state the reason why you cannot comply with the request.

2. Write a letter in which you:

a) apologize for taking a long time to answer,

b) express regret that you are not in a position to deliver a series of lectures on … as circumstances confine you to your work in your laboratory;

c) ask to convey your apologies to Dr. Jones for … .

IV. Letters of Inquiry

A letter of inquiry asks a person to supply certain information or knowledge.

Read the samples and note how to express inquiry.

Letter 1

Dear Colleague,

Our Institute is running a series of experiments on … According to our preliminary data we have come to the conclusion that … .

Professor … of the Institute of …, was kind enough to inform me of the results obtained in his laboratory. He also mentioned that you were experimenting on … .

I would like very much to compare our data with those obtained by you. Would you be willing to inform me how satisfactory they have proved to be.

I am especially interested in the following questions: ........................................................................................

I shall appreciate any information you can possibly provide and look forward to the opportunity to return the favor.

Thank you in advance for a favorable reply to my inquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Name

Letter 2

Dear Professor … :

Our laboratory intends to start a research centered on X-ray structural analysis of different biological substances. We are planning to investigate the influence of particle additions on the polypeptide crystal structure. Meanwhile, we have started collecting literature on this subject.

With this purpose in mind we are writing to inquire whether you would be able to provide us with a list of references or with any information available.

Perhaps you can also mention some other prominent researchers en­gaged in a similar experiment to who I may turn to with this request.

We would also like to maintain scientific collaboration with your labo­ratory and exchange data and information on research results.

We hope you will be interested in such contacts. Please accept my apo­logies for any inconvenience I have caused.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Name

Chief of the Sander’s Laboratories

Letter 3

Dear Sir,

I am a long-time reader of the ‘Physical Review’ and enjoy reading your papers. I am writing to inquire whether you would be willing to establish a regular exchange of reprints in the field of research which is of mutual interest for both of us. I could offer you the following papers … and in exchange would appreciate having … .

I look forward to hearing from you.

Faithfully yours,

Name

Letter 4

Dear Editor,

I have been a subscriber to your journal for six years. Never before have I failed to receive your journal, but I have not received the March and April issues. Would you please look into this matter.

Yours respectfully,

Name

Here are some phrases and sentences used to make an inquiry:

May I inquire why … .

I wish to inquire about … .

I would like to ask if … .

I hope you will give attention to my inquiry.