Letter 3

Dear Sir,

I am a long-time reader of the "Archeological Review" and enjoy reading your papers. I am writing to enquire 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:

In exchange I would appreciate having ...

I look forward to hearing from you.

Faithfully yours,

Name

Letter 4

Dear Dr. Anisimov,

In the journal... I've read your paper entitled .... The results obtained are interesting and the research methods are excellent. I would like to follow your methods in my work, but there are some steps that are not quite clear to me. I am writing to inquire whether it would be possible to visit your laboratory, so that I could know about your tech­niques in more detail. I would like to conduct experiments in your laboratory for a month.

In return, it would be a great honour to invite you to work in my labo­ratory for an equal period of time or longer.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

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.

TASKS

1. Write a letter of inquiry in which you:

1. present the subject and the purpose/reason of/ for your inquiry;

2. make an inquiry;

3. express your appreciation for the information provided.

2. Now read the samples and note how to give a favourable reply to an inquiry. Letter 1

Dear Colleague,

I am very glad to know that you are also doing experiments in … It gives me great pleasure to send you the data I have obtained. We have chosen these stimulants for several reasons…

I hope you will find this information useful. In return I would much appreciate it if you send me your reprint of....

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Name

Letter 2

Dear Dr....,

Returning to your letter of April 7, we have the pleasure to inform you that we have received two copies of the proofs of your paper.

Yours sincerely,

Editor-in-chief

Name

Here are some more samples how to reply to an inquiry favourably:

In reply to your inquiry of (date) I am glad to inform you that....

It gives me great pleasure to send you... . If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to contact me.

In accordance with your inquiry of (date), I am delighted to send you a list of references and data on... .

TASKS

Write a letter in which you:

1. acknowledge the receipt of the letter of (date);

2. provide information about the inquiry;

3. express hope that the sender of the inquiry is satisfied with the information provided;

4. express your willingness to be of help in the future.

Read the samples and note how to make an unfavourable reply to an inquiry:

Letter 1

Dear Colleague,

Your letter of November 12 has reached me today. I very much regret to inform you that I am not able to provide the information you re­quested. Our laboratory stopped experimenting in ... three years ago. If you are interested in the results of our work, please consult the Archeological Review, v. 44, No. 3, July 2010.

Furthermore, I received a reprint from Dr...., who deals with... and if you wish, you may use my name when writing to him.

If I can be of any help to you in the future, do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Name