3. To your father who has been away from home for a fortnight, about anything of
interest that has taken place in his absence.
4. To your cousin about what particularly pleased you at the circus.
5. From a boy at a boarding-school to his parents on the approaching vacation.
6. From a son to his father, stating how he hopes to fare in the approaching School-
Leaving Examination.
7. To your younger brother, scolding him for having neglected his studies.
8. Reply to the above.
9. From a mother to her daughter, on receiving a bad report from her boarding-school.
10. Reply to the above.
11. You have recovered from a long illness. Write about your experience in bed etc., to
your cousin.
Page 373
12. You have been delayed one night by a railway accident near a small country out-
station. Write a letter home relating your experience.
[To a friend in a hospital]
Race Cottage
Lucknow 226 003
28th December, 2001
Dear Mela Ram,
I have only just heard from your brother that you have been ill in the hospital for the last
two weeks. 1 am very sorry. If I had known, I should have written before. But I am glad
to know that the worst is now over, and you are much better. He says he saw you the
other day, and you were quite comfortable and cheery. I hope you will soon be all right,
and coming out again. As soon as you can, write and let me know how you are.
Yours very sincerely,
Sant Ram
[To a friend, about your favourite game]
I8 East Road
Junglepore
6th March, 2001
Dear Sharif,
Thanks for your letter, with your praises of cricket as the finest game in the world. I don't
want to dispute that; but it is not my favourite. I have two favourite games, one for out-
of-doors, and one for indoors.
For exercise and interest, I like tennis best of ail outdoor games. Football and hockey are
too violent to suit me; cricket is too slow; badminton is childish. But tennis gives you
plenty of exercise; it develops quickness of eye and limb; and it calls your brain, your
thinking power, into action. A few sets of tennis in the evening keep me physically and
mentally fit.
For indoors, chess is the queen of games. 1 take no interest in card games; and draughts
after chess is like water after wine. People say chess is a selfish game, because only two
can play at a time. Well, I don't see that bridge is only less selfish, simply because four
play instead of two. They also say it is slow. No chess-player ever says this. For an
outsider it may look slow to see two men sitting silent and making a move only every few
minutes. But to the two players, it is all the time intensely exciting. There is no game that
so absorbs you like chess.
You will probably scoff; but I don't mind.
Yours very sincerely,
Lai Khan
[To a friend, describing a football match in which you were referee]
54 Khazanchi Road
Patna 800 004
5 Jan. 2001
Dear Devi Prasad,
My advice to those who are about to act as football referees is-Don't ! Why? Hear my sad
story.
We have here two local teams called the Brilliants and the Valiants. They are easily the
best teams in the district and in every tournament the fight in the end is between these
two. And when their blood is up, they both fight to win, by fair means or foul- mostly
foul. Moreover, the town is divided into two bitterly opposed factions-Brilliants and
Valiants, who roll up, to the matches to cheer and jeer, and to see "fair" play.
Page 374
The game had not long begun, before I had to turn off one of the Brilliants for foul play.
The team protested, the crowd roared and things looked ugly; but I stuck to my point, and
they settled down. But they were sulky. Then the Valiants scored; and the Brilliants
looked sulkier still.
But the fun began when I awarded the Valiants a penalty kick close to goal, by which
they promptly scored again. Then all the Brilliants rushed on to the field, yelling and
shouting, and went for me. I was jostled, struck and kicked and knocked down; and the
match came to an end in free fight between the two parties.
I am sitting up, nursing my wounds, and vowing, “No more refereeing for me!”
Yours in sorrow
Ahmad Din
Exercise 136
Write a short letter:-
1. To a friend, telling him how you play your favourite game, assuming that he knows
nothing about it.
2. To a friend, describing your favourite hobby.
3. To a friend, describing a recent exciting cricket match in which your side won.
4. To a friend, describing a football match.
5. To a friend, describing a tennis tournament.
6. To your friend whom you are sending a photograph recently taken of your school
football team, referring to some common friends in the group.
7. Reply to the above.
8. To a friend, describing your mishaps in an obstacle race in the school.
9. To a friend, describing a magic show
10. To a friend, describing a film which appealed to you very much.
11. To an English boy, describing the Indian Juggler.
12. To your friend, about some memory Teats you have witnessed or heard about.
13. To a friend who has failed to take his defeat well.
14. Friend's reply to the above.
15. To your friend who did not "play fair".
16. Friend's reply to the above.
17. To a friend, expressing your preference for outdoor games.
18. Friend's reply, expressing preference for indoor games.
19. To your sister, about a real or imaginary flight in an aeroplane.
[To a friend, arranging for an excursion together.]
5 Railway Road
Allahabad 3
15th May, 2001
Dear Smith,
We both have a holiday next Monday. What do you say to a trip to Murree and a ramble
in the gullies ? We could start early, say 6 a.m., in my car, and take some grub with us,
and make a day of it up in the cool. It would be a change from this heat down here. If you
agree, I will arrange the picnic, and be round at your house at a quarter to six on Monday
morning. Bring your camera with you.
Yours sincerely
R.P. Brown
Page 375
[Reply, accepting]
Circular Avenue
Allahabad
16th May, 2001
Dear Brown,
Many thanks for your invitation. I shall be delighted to go, and shall be ready for you at
5-45 a.m., next Monday. A day in Murree will be a grand change. Yes, I'll bring my
camera, and hope to get some good snapshots.
Yours for ever,
A.B. Smith .
[Reply, regretting inability to join]
Circular Avenue
Allahabad 1
16th May, 2001
Dear Brown,
It is awfully good of you to propose a day's picnic at Murree. I only wish I could join you
as I am sick of this heat. But I am sorry to say I shall not be able to get away, as I have
already promised to see a friend in Jehlum next Monday. Thanks all the same.
Yours very sincerely,
A.B. Smith
[Write a letter of introduction for a friend to take to another friend who lives in a different
part of the country. Say why you think each will enjoy knowing the other. ]
5 Armernian Lane
Kolkata 700 005
7th February, 2001
My dear Haider Ali,
You have often heard me speak of my friend, Abdul Latif, who is a barrister here. He is
an old friend of mine, and one for whom, I have a great admiration. Well, he is going to
Mumbai in a few days and will probably make a fairly long stay there. And as I want you
two to meet and get to know each other, I am giving him this letter for you as an
introduction. I am sure you will do your best to make his stay in Mumbai happy. At first
you will do it for my sake; but in the end you will do it for his also. For I know you will
like him and both of you will find you have many interests in common.
Abdul Latif is, like you, very interested in social reform of all kinds. He also makes
Islamic history a hobby, as you do. And, perhaps above all, he plays chess; and you are a
chess enthusiast. He is also a good tennis-player. So you should get on well together.
I hope you have got rid of your cold,' and are keeping quite well.
Yours very sincerely,
Ghulam Samdani
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
Exercise 137
Write a short letter:-
1. To a friend, giving a brief description of a holiday tour you intend to make.
2. To a friend, telling him how you spent your summer vacation.
Page 376
3. To your friend, about the longest journey made by you.
4. To an English friend giving him an idea of the life in your town or village.
5. To a friend, describing your visit to some notable public building.
6. A friend writes to say that he is spending a week in your town. Write a letter
saying how sorry you are that you will be away, but telling him what he ought to
[From a boy to his friend who has met with an accident)
Old Gate
Rampur
1st April, 2001
My dear Ahmad,
Razak told me this morning that you had been knocked off your bicycle by a tonga
yesterday and badly hurt. I am awfully sorry; but T hope it is not really as bad as Razak
made out. If you can write, please let me know how you are. Those tongawallas are
awfully careless beggars. I had a nasty spill myself a few weeks ago in the same way.
Happily no bones were broken. Mind you let me know how you are getting on.
Yours for ever,
Karim
Exercise 138
Write a short letter:-
1. To a friend, giving details of a railway accident (real or imaginary).
2. From a boarding-school girl to her friend, describing a terrible accident that happened
to some of her friends while swinging.
3. To a friend, giving an account of a striking incident which happened to you or another.
4. To a friend, describing a thunderstorm in which you were recently caught.
5. To a friend, giving an account of a brave deed, real or imaginary, noticed by you in
your street.
6. To a friend, about a striking example (real or imaginary) of presence of mind.
[To a schoolfellow who has been absent from school for a week.]
High School
Junglepore
16th February, 2001
Dear Yaqub,
What is the matter with you ? You have not been at school for a week, and the
Headmaster is asking where you are and what you are up to. I hope you are not ill. Please
write, and say when you arc coming back.
You missed the football match against the Mission School last Monday, and I can tell you
the Captain was jolly cross when he found you were not there. Salim took your place.
However, in spite of your absence, we won by two goals to one.
I hope you will soon be back again.
Yours sincerely,
Ahmed Din
Exercise 139
1. Write to a friend who needlessly runs down the school he used to attend some time
ago.
2. It is a fortnight to your examination, and you are unprepared. Write to your friend
about your difficulty.
3. reply to the above.
Page 377
4. Write a letter to your friend who works on Sundays as well as on other holidays.
5. "It is better to wear out than to rust out." Discuss this saying in a letter to a friend who
holds this view.
6. “A short life and a merry one.” Write a replay to a friend who holds this view.
7. Write to a friend who is exclusively occupied with his studies, advising him to take pan
in athletic games.
8. Write a letter of advice to a friend who complains that he does not know how to spend
his spare time.
9. In a letter to your very intimate friend, write plainly about his faults; also dwell upon
the good points of his character
[Letter accompanying a birthday present]
42 Ashok Marg
Lucknow 226 001
16 December 2001
My dear Charley,
It is your birthday on Saturday, so-Many happy returns of the day ! I am sending you a
camera to celebrate the event, as I know you are keen on photography, and hope you will
find it useful.
With all best wishes for the best of luck from your friend,
Tom
[Reply to the above.]
26 M.G. Street
Ahmedabad 380 005
18 December 2001
My dear Tom,
Ever so many thanks for your good wishes and your jolly present. The camera is a
beauty-just the kind I have been wanting for a long time. I shall be able to take some
really fine pictures with it. Thank you very much !
Yours affectionately,
Charley
[To a friend who has recently lost his mother.]
72 Patel Street
Mumbai 400 014
6 Jan. 2001
Dear Fred,
It was with real sorrow that I heard this morning of your great loss. I knew your mother
was ill, for your brother told me several weeks ago; but, as he at that time did not seem to
think the illness was very serious, the news of your mother's death came to me as a shock.
You have my sincere and heartfelt sympathy, my dear fellow, in your sorrow. I know you
will feel it deeply, for you always thought so much of your mother and loved her so truly.
I feel it also as a personal loss to myself; for your mother was always very kind to me,
and I admired her as a good and noble woman. Her death must be a terrible grief to your
father, too; please assure him also of my sincere sympathy.
Words, I know, are poor comforters. "The heart knoweth its own sorrow," and in such
sorrows we are always alone. But it is not mere words when I say that I fcei with you in
your sorrow.
Your sincere friend,
Jack
Page 378
[Reply to the above]
16 Church Street Pune41I 003 9 Jan. 2001
My dear Jack,
Thank you very much for your most kind and sympathetic letter. You say that words are
poor comforters; but the sympathy of true friends like yourself is a great comfort in times
of sorrow; and I am grateful to you for its expression.
Mother's death was a great shock to me, though I do not fully realize it even yet. We were
always so much to each other; and it is hard to face the fact that I must live the rest of my
life without her.
Happily her end came very peacefully. She had no pain, and passed away quietly in her
sleep.
She was fond of you, and spoke of you several times towards the end.
You will excuse me from writing more at present. 1 don't feel equal to it.
With many thanks, again from,
Your sincere friend, Fred
[To a friend, from a girl who is going abroad with her father and mother.]
Jaiprakash Nagar
Goregaon
Mumbai 400 062
10th March, 2001
My dear Nora,
I am awfully excited ! My daddy and mummy are going abroad on a long tour; and I am
going with them. We shall be away for about two months. We are leaving on 20th.
We are going first to Hong Kong, where my father has some business. Then we are
travelling to Japan. Think of it ! I shall see the Japanese and all their interesting ways. We
shall stay there some time, and then fly to San Francisco. After that we are to travel to
New York, and stay there for some time. Then we shall travel to England.
By the time we get home, I shall have seen half the world and will be a much travelled
person.
I shall write you long letters from all the places we stay in and tell you of all the new and
strange things we see.
With best wishes,
Very sincerely yours,
3 Naomi
Exercise 140
Write a short letter:-
1. From a young man who has recently become possessed of a fortune left him by his
uncle, to his intimate friend.
2. To a friend, advising him to insure his life.
3. To the same giving information about life-insurance.
4. To a friend, proposing the formation of a debating union.
5. Reply to the above.
6. To a friend, describing a pleasant dream.
7. To a friend, describing a horrid dream.
8. To a friend, giving an account of your favourite story-book or author.
9. To a friend, asking him to return a book which you lent him a long time ago.
Couch your letter in such terms that your friend will not take offence.
10. To a friend, apologizing for not having kept an appointment.
Page 379
11. To a sick friend, congratulating him on the good progress he is making.
12. To a sick friend in a hospital.
13. To a friend who has long been silent.
14. Reply to the above.
15. From a sister to her brother, describing her visit to an orphanage.
16. To your uncle in Japan, asking for information about the habits and customs of the
Japanese.
17. Reply to the above.
18. From a son to his father, asking permission to become a lawyer.
19. The father's reply to the above.
Exercise 141
1. Write a letter to a village-boy, your cousin, telling him what your town is like..
2. An uncle has sent you a present of Rs. 300. Write a letter thanking him and telling him
how you propose to spend it.
3. Write a letter to your American friend to accompany a small model of the Taj Mahal at
Agra which you are sending him.
4. Reply, referring to the sky-scrapers of New York.
5. Your friend is a member of a large family; you are not. Write to him.
6. Reply to the above.
7. Write a letter to a friend, telling him that you have shifted to a new house, and
describe your new neighbourhood.
8. In a letter to your sick friend, advise him to go to a hospital as, owing to various
circumstances, he cannot be looked after properly at home.
9. Imagine that you have returned from a visit to your uncle. Write a letter, thank
ing him for his kindness and describing your journey.
10. Write a letter to a friend, describing a book you have just read and strongly
recommending it to him.
2. NOTES OF INVITATIONS
A formal invitation is generally written in the third person, and should contain no
heading, no salutation, and no complimentary close. The writer's name should appear in
the body of the letter. The address of the writer and the date should be written to the left,
below the communication.
The reply to such a note should also be in the third person, and should repeat the date and
time mentioned in the invitation.
[Formal note of invitation. ]
Mr. and Mrs. V.A. Paul request the pleasure of Mr. K. Gopalan's company at dinner on
Friday, 14 July, at eight o'clock.
18 Peters Road
Chennai 600 014
[Formal note of acceptance.]
Mr. K. Gopalan has pleasure in accepting the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. V.A. Paul
to dinner on Friday, 14 July, at eight o'clock.
12 Kamaraj Salai
Chennai 600 005
[Formal note of refusal]
Mr. K. Gopalan regrets that a previous engagement prevents his accepting the kind
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. V.A. Paul to dinner on Friday, July.
12 Kamaraj Salai
Chennai 600 005
Page 380
Informal notes of invitation, acceptance and refusal are like ordinary friendly letters,
though using more formal language. They are addressed to the recipient by name (My
dear Shri Joshi), and the formal close is usually any of the following:-
Sincerely yours, Yours sincerely, Yours very sincerely, Yours affectionately (to relations,
or intimate friends),
[Informal note of invitation.]
12 Alwarpet
22 November
Dear Pramila,
Will you give me the pleasure of your company at dinner on Sunday, the 27th at 8
o'clock?
Yours sincerely,
V. Saroja
[Informal note of acceptance.]
Poes Garden
23 November
My dear Saroja,
I shall be pleased to be with you at dinner on Sunday, the 27th. Thanks a lot for your
invitation.
Yours sincerely,
S. Pramila
[Informal note of refusal.]
Poes garden
23 November
My dear Saroja,
I am very sorry that a previous engagement will prevent me from joining you at dinner on
Sunday. Thank you very much for your kind invitation.
Yours sincerely,
S. Pramila
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
II. Business Letters
Business letters should be terse, clear, and to the point. Businessmen are busy men, and
have no time to read long, rambling and confused letters.
Business letters are naturally much more formal in style than friendly letters. Certain
forms of polite expression are used, such as-
"I shall be much obliged if you will send me,"
"Please despatch at your earliest convenience," etc.
At the same time certain phrases of business "jargon" should be avoided. They are
commonly used, but are not good English; and the meaning can be conveyed as clearly in
simple, everyday language.
Examples of such expressions are:-
Page 381
"Yours of even date to hand."
"Despatch same at once."
Avoid so far as possible abbreviations (like advt. for advertisement, exam, for
examination, etc.) and the omission of I or we (e.g., "Have received" instead of "We have
received").
In business letters ordering goods, care should be taken to give clear and exact
descriptions of the articles wanted. An itemized list of the goods wanted should be
supplied, with the quality and quantity required.
Directions for forwarding should be given (by rail, post, etc.) and the manner in which
payment will be made indicated (by Money Order, V.P.P., cheque, or by debiting to the
writer's account). Everything should be clear and precise.
FORM:- The form of business letters is the same as already described, with one addition,
viz., the Address (i.e., the name of the firm or businessman to whom the letter is
addressed), which should be written on the first page, lower down than the Heading and
to the left of the page. (It may be placed at the end of the letter lower than the signature
and at the left side of the page, but the usual position is at the beginning.)
MODES OF ADDRESS:- The modes of address vary. (1) To a tradesman:-
Shri B.V. Rao
Bookseller
12 Ring Road
Bangalore
Being Dear Sir, and conclude Yours faithfully.
(2) To a firm:-
Messrs K.R. Das & Co.
Tea Merchants
24 Ring Road
Kolkata
Begin Dear Sirs, and conclude with Yours faithfully.
Note:- If the firm has an impersonal title, Messrs should not be prefixed. For example:-
Eurasia Publishing House, Vijay Trading Co.
(3) To professional men or private gentlemen:-
Mr. K. Bhaskar Chartered Accountant Pratibha House Thiruvananthapuram 695 002
Mr. K.R. Misra
32 Bhandarkar Road
Pune 411 004
Begin Dear Sir or My dear Sir, and conclude Yours faithfully,
Oyurs truly, etc. (not Your’s Sincerely).
Page 382
When a clerk signs a business letter on behalf of his employer, he puts the letter p.p.
(Latin per pro = on behalf of) or for before the name of the firm, and writes his signature
beneath. For example:-
Yours faithfully
For R. Gomes & Sons
K.S. Kumar
If a gentleman is entitled to be called Honourable, he is addressed, for example, as The
Hon. Shri K.R. Patil.
(N.B.:- The title The Hon. cannot be used by itself; you must not write The Hon. K.R.
Patil).
REPLIES:- In replying to a business letter, always quote the number of reference (if there
is one) and the date of the letter you are answering. For example :
"In reply to your letter No. 502/P, dated July 26, 20 , I would like to say," etc.
[Example to show the form of a business letter.]
16 Church Street
Anaparthi 533 341
14 Dec. 2001
The Manager
Southern Agency
Rajahraundry 533 101
Dear Sir,
I shall be grateful if you will kindly supply the following items of Godrej furniture:
1 almirah - model 2
3 chairs - model 4
2 chairs - model 6
1 table - model 101
Please send them carriage forward to the above address, and your bill will be paid on
receipt.
Yours faithfully,
VJ Manohar
(Letter to a bank manager asking him to .stop payment of a cheque)
37 Nrupatunga Road
Bangalore 560 001
