Letters & Modal Verbs

  • Letters are a form of written, typed, or printed communication sent either in an envelope or through a certain media platform. They are also known as correspondences.

  • Formal Letters are a type of letter used for professional purposes. This uses technical language, complex topics, and professional purposes.

  • Informal letters are a type of letter used between friends, family members, or people who are personally connected. This uses conversational language, simple topics, and personal purposes.


Six Parts of a Letter

  • Headings are where the return address or the sender’s address and/or the date when the letter was written are found.

  • Recipient’s Address is where the recipient’s address and his/her complete name and title should be written.

  • Salutation, also known as the greeting, is the line where the expressions “dear” or “to whom it may concern” are placed.

  • The Body is where the actual message for the recipient may be found.

  • The Complimentary close, also known as the closing is the part where the sender gives a short polite ending greeting the recipient.

  • The Signature Line is where the complete name of the sender is found along with his/her signature.


Transitional Devices

  • Also known as logical connectors or cohesive devices, these are words that connect the different contents of the letter together, depending on how the said contents are related.

  • Sequencing- Firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc., in addition, furthermore, also, presently

  • Degree of Importance- Most importantly, above all, primarily, essentially

  • Differences- however, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, despite this, although, but

  • Similarities- similarly, likewise, also, in the same way

  • Results- As a result, as a consequence, therefore, thus, consequently, hence

  • Reasons- The cause of, the reason for, because, since, due to


Modal Verbs

  • A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality- that is likelihood, ability, permission, and possibility.

  • Can- Ability, permission, request, offer, suggestion, possibility

  • Could- Ability, permission, polite question, request, offer, suggestion, possibility

  • May- Permission, suggestion, possibility

  • Might- Possibility, hesitant offer

  • Must-  Force, necessity, possibility, advice

  • Ought to- Advice, obligation

  • Shall- Suggestion

  • Should- Advice, obligation

  • Will- Request, prediction, promise, spontaneous decision, habits