Good Introductions

First, you need to express your positive feeling

about writing the letter. Then explain how

long you have known the person and what your
relationship has been (supervisor, teacher, coworker).
Sentences:

his qualifications and performance

have had the opportunity to
in the past two years
is a pleasure to recommend
was a student in two of my classes

I am delighted to be called upon as a reference

for John Smart. I first became acquainted with
Mr. Smart in 1992, when he joined the...
Mr. Smart has asked me to write a letter of
recommendation to accompany his application
for PhD program in Physics at MIT. I am very
pleased to do so.
It has been a pleasure to be Mr. Smart's
supervisor since 1990.
I am happy to write this letter of
recommendation for Steven Smart. In this
letter I would like to express my respect and
appreciation for this bright young person, who
brought outstanding contribution to the work
of my group.
I have no hesitancy in writing a letter of
recommendation for Mr. Smart.
It is a pleasure to write a letter of
recommendation for as Ms. Smart.
I have known Ms. Smart since 1993, when she
enrolled in my accounting class.
I was Mr. Smart's teacher in two advanced
quantum mechanics classes during winter
semester, 1995.
Phrases:
am honored to support him as a candidate
am pleased to provide a reference for
am delighted to be called upon
am happy to recommend
am pleased to comment on
can offer only the highest recommendation for
first became acquainted with
first came to my attention when
has worked directly under my supervision
has been a pleasure to supervise
have known Ms. Doe for
have no hesitation in recommending
have been his supervisor since
her performance as a

Describing Person's Qualifications

Discuss the person's qualifications for the

graduate study in the chosen field. Statements
of past performance, accomplishments, and
contributions are helpful. The more relevant
the items mentioned, and the greater the detail,
the better your letter will communicate your
positive recommendation. General comments
provide a neutral recommendation or suggest
that you do not really recommend the person
highly.

Sentences:
Since the beginning of our collaboration I
know him as an energetic and goal-oriented
person.
Some of the main Irinas attributes are her
persistence and diligence sometimes even
ranging with obsession with work.
He grasps new concepts quickly and accepts
constructive criticism and instruction
concerning his work.
While she was with us she supervised the
maintenance of all computer networks. This
responsibility involved working with 42
separate offices.
He has proactively joined research at our
institute.
I would like to mention here, that John is
accurate and thorough in his research, pays
attention to details and has no dread of routine
work.
His extraordinary ability to analyze problems
and outline necessary courses of action was
invaluable.
In a class of thirty, he completed the course
with the second highest grade.

That was mostly due to her assiduity and

devotion to work that she was soon able to
proceed with actual experiments.
I would like to say that it is pleasant to work
with Michael, he is reliable and intelligent
person with good sense of humor.
Her greatest talent is in developing innovations
for new products.
John always takes an active part in scientific
discussions, demonstrating maturity, strong
ability to defend his ideas while paying careful
attention to opponents remarks.
She finishes her work on schedule. When she
has a concern or question about an assignment,
she speaks her mind clearly and directly,
giving voice to what others may feel but
cannot or will not say.
From our collaboration I can conclude that
George has a strong motivation for scientific
work. He is a focused and determined person.
Phrases:
a creative problem-solver
always cheerful and dependable
always behaves professionally
broad range of skills
can attest to his integrity
careful attention to detail
comments are well thought out and clearly
articulated
communicates her ideas clearly
communicates effectively in writing
completely loyal and trustworthy
demonstrated particular strengths in
follows tasks through to completion
gets along well with others
handles responsibility well
has a take-charge personality
has a flair for organization
her sensitivity and concern for others
is innovative and creative
is a tireless worker
is mature beyond her years
is intelligent and ambitious
is personable and easy to work with
keeps calm under pressure
meticulous attention to detail
one of our finest, most well-rounded
undergraduates
outstanding leadership abilities
punctual and hard working
self-motivated individual
wide-range knowledge of
willing to go beyond what is required

willing to take on new responsibilities

works efficiently and effectively
works independently and effectively
works well with little supervision
Good Endings
Close with a clear statement of your
recommendation and a willingness to
cooperate further.
Sentences:
Mr. Bright will be a great addition to your
program. If I can further assist, please e-mail
or call me.
Jane Bright has my strong recommendation.
She will be a credit to your program.
I am confident that Mr. Bright will continue to
be very productive. He has my highest
recommendation.
I give her my highest recommendation,
without reservation. Please send e-mail or call
me if you have further questions.
I believe in Johns outstanding abilities for
scientific work and strongly recommend him
for further education at your university, where
he can develop and apply his bright talents.
It is satisfying to be able to give him my
highest recommendation. I hope this
information proves helpful.
I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Bright as a
promising candidate.
Seldom have I been able to recommend
someone without reservation. It is a pleasure to
do so in the case of John Bright.
I will be pleased to answer any additional
questions you may have.
I am very interested in Mr. Bright's application
and will be happy to provide further
information.
Phrases:
every confidence in her ability to
give my unqualified recommendation
has always proved satisfactory
has my highest recommendation
have admiration and respect for
have no reservations in
hope this information proves helpful
if I can further assist
if you have further questions
if you need additional information
if you would like more information
recommend without reservation
recommend her very highly
request your favorable consideration of
should be given serious consideration
should you have any questions

will meet your expectations

will be successful in any enterprise he
undertakes
will be a credit to your
will measure up to your high standards
will be a great addition to
would be an asset to your program
would be a valuable addition to

To indicate more information

Besides - Making an additional point; anyway
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
Likewise
Indeed In truth
In fact
Also
As well
Foremost - Ranking above all others;
Preceding all others in spatial position
First, Second, Third, Finally
Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly
To indicate an example
For example
For instance
In particular
Particularly - Specifically or especially
distinguished from others
Specifically
To illustrate
To demonstrate
To indicate a cause or reason
Since
Because
Because of
Due to
For
For the reason that
As
Inasmuch as - Since
Whereby - As a result of which, By which, "the
means whereby we achieved our goal"
To indicate a result or an effect
Accordingly - because of the reason given
Consequently
Hence
So
Therefore
Thus
Thusly - In the way indicated
Thence - From that fact or reason or as a result
Therefrom - From that circumstance or source
Thereof - Of or concerning this or that, From
that circumstance or source
Corollary - A practical consequence that
follows naturally, "blind jealousy is a frequent
corollary of passionate love"
To conclude
For the aforementioned reasons
For the aforementioned reasons, there is no
doubt that
To sum up the foregoing,
Given these facts

In conclusion
In closing
To conclude
To express an opinion
In all due fairness
With good judgment, (one/we may)
To describe or make
vivid
portray
depict
exhibit
illustrate
expose
present
paint a portrait
limn - Trace the shape of, make a portrait of
delineate
represent
demonstrate
constitute - Form or compose
embodied - (adj) Expressed by
embody - (v) Represent or express in tangible
form
embodiment
To prove
manifest - Provide evidence for; stand as proof
of
attest - Provide evidence for
testify - Provide evidence for
certify - Provide evidence for
endorse, indorse - Give support or one's
approval to
shew - Establish the validity of something, as
by an example, explanation or experiment
establish
instance - (v) Clarify by giving an example of
exemplify - (v) Clarify by giving an example
of
To compare or contrast
Whereas
In comparison
In contrast
However
Although
On the other hand
Likewise
Similarly
But
Yet
Withal - Despite anything to the contrary
(usually following a concession)
Withal - Together with this
Nevertheless - Despite anything to the contrary
Nonetheless - Despite anything to the contrary

Notwithstanding - Despite anything to the

contrary
Even so - Despite anything to the contrary
All the same - Despite anything to the contrary
To indicate time
After
Before
Currently
During
Eventually
Finally
First, Second, etc.
Formerly
Immediately
Initially
Lastly
Later
Meanwhile
Next
Once
Previously
Simultaneously
Soon
Subsequently
Subsequent - Following in time and order
Hitherto, Heretofore - Used in negative
statement to describe a situation that has
existed up to this point or up to the present
time, The sun hasnt rose hitherto.
In due time
Henceforth
To indicate certainty
Truly
Sincerely
Genuinely
Surely
Rightfully
Absolutely
Indubitably
Certainly
Without doubt
Needless to say
To indicate doubt
Most likely
More likely
Possibly
Probably
Dubitable - Open to doubt or suspicion
Dubious - Distressed with uncertainty or doubt
To summarize
Overall
To summarize
In summary
To sum up
Paraphrased

Briefly
In brief
Summing up
To put it briefly
prcis - A sketchy summary, Make a summary
(of)
synopsis - A sketchy summary
apercu - A short synopsis
To provide a condition
provision, proviso - A stipulated condition
stipulate - Specify as a condition or
requirement in a contract
given
if
whether
whenever
when
while
To express positive words
magnificent
grandeur - The quality of being magnificent or
splendid or grand, the quality of being exalted
in character or ideals or conduct
magnanimous - The quality of being exalted in
character or ideals or conduct
fantastic
fantastical
phenomenal
wonderful
extraordinary
marvelous
superb
good
fine
great
avid - Emotionally desirable
avid ambition to succeed
excellent
spectacular
prodigious
grand
brilliant
glorious - Bringing great happiness and
thankfulness
illustrious - Widely known and esteemed
notable - Worthy of notice
respected
impressive
splendid
splendiferous - Having great beauty and
splendor
resplendent - Having great beauty and
splendor, Richly and brilliantly colorful
flamboyant - Elaborately or excessively
ornamented, Richly and brilliantly colorful

redoubtable - Having or worthy of pride

formidable - Extremely impressive in strength
or excellence
prowess
superior
terrific
tremendous
wondrous - Extraordinarily good
wonderful
sublime - Inspiring awe, Lifted up or set high
flair - natural talent
knack - A special way of doing something
outshine - Attract more attention and praise
than others
paramount - Having superior power and
influence
predominant
preponderating
prevailing
To show intelligence
profound
shrewd hardheaded (practical experience and
observation) intelligence
astute
acumen - Shrewdness shown by keen insight
insightful
savvy - The cognitive condition of someone
who understands
cognition - The psychological result of
perception, learning and reasoning
genius
smart
sharp
keen
mastermind
Einstein - Someone who has exceptional
intellectual ability and originality
work of art
fine art
maven - Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in
any field
mavin - Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in
any field
adept - Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in
any field
whiz - Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in
any field
wizard - Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in
any field
To intensify
incredibly
exceedingly
toppingly - extremely well
extremely
extraordinarily

truly
really
very
utterly - Completely and without qualification;
used informally as intensifiers, With sublimity;
in a sublime manner
absolutely
perfectly
sublimely
dramatically
sheer - (adj.) Complete and without restriction
or qualification; sometimes used informally as
an intensifier; (adv.) Directly "he fell sheer into
the water"
Said
enounced, enunciated - Speak, pronounce, or
utter in a certain way
pronounced - Speak, pronounce, or utter in a
certain way
articulated - Express or state clearly
vocalized - Express or state clearly
posited - Put firmly
stated
expressed
reported
alleged - Declared but not proved
averred - Report or maintain, To declare or
affirm in a grave manner and formally as true
affirmed, asserted
wrote
composed
indited - Produce a literary work
penned - Produce a literary work
spelt - Indicate or signify
voiced, sounded - Give voice to
demean - Reduce in worth or character, usually
verbally
Noted (said)
remarked
denoted - Be a sign or indication of, "Her smile
denoted that she agreed"
observed
commented
mentioned
referred
announced
noticed
Precisely
explicitly
accurately
expressly
exactly
incisively
Numerous

innumerable
many
various
several
diverse
umpteen
umteen
myriad (noun and adj.)
Praise
extol - (v) Praise, glorify, or honor
exalt
glorify
laud
proclaim
revere
idolize
worship
venerate
Call Forth
evoke - Call forth (emotions, feelings, and
responses)
arouse - Call forth (emotions, feelings, and
responses)
elicit - Call forth (emotions, feelings, and
responses)
enkindle - Call forth (emotions, feelings, and
responses)
provoke - Call forth (emotions, feelings, and
responses)
inflame - Arouse or excite feelings and
passions
awake - Stop sleeping
conjure - Evoke or call forth, with or as if by
magic
invoke - Evoke or call forth, with or as if by
magic
summon - Gather or bring together
instill - deposit gradually
PSEUDO- = not genuine; False or pretended
eg, pseudo-intelectual
DUBIOUS = 1-doubtful
eg, I was rather dubious about the whole idea.
2-suspicious
eg, They indulged in some highly dubious
business practices to obtain their current
position in the market.
3-that you cannot be sure about; that is
probably not good
eg, They consider the plan to be of dubious
benefit to most families. || She had the dubious
honour of being the last woman to be hanged
in England (= it was not an honour at all).

LETHARGY = the state of not having any

energy or enthusiasm for doing things ;
listlessness ; inertia
eg, The report criticizes the lethargy shown by
employers when it comes to job creation. || i'm
feeling lethargic
ARCANE = secret and mysterious and
therefore difficult to understand
eg, her arcane lecture makes lily confused
SEETHE = 1-to be extremely angry about
something but try not to show other people
how angry you are
eg, She seethed silently in the corner || He
marched off, seething with frustration. ||
inwardly, he was seething at this challenge to
his authority.
2-to move around quickly and violently
eg, The grey ocean seethed beneath them.
3-seethe (with something) (formal) (of a place)
eg, the resort is seething with tourists all year
round.
SCOWL = to look at somebody/something in
an angry or annoyed way
eg ,The receptionist scowled at me.
APPREHENSION = worry or fear that
something unpleasant may happen; anxiety
eg, They shivered with apprehension
SARCASM = a way of using words that are
the opposite of what you mean in order to be
unpleasant to somebody or to make fun of
them
eg, That will be useful, she snapped with
heavy sarcasm = actually she really thought it
would not be useful at all) || a hint/touch/trace
of sarcasm in his voice
COVERT = secret or hidden, making it
difficult to notice
eg, He stole a covert glance at her across the
table.
MIASMA = a mass of air that is dirty and
smells unpleasant
eg, the cloying miasma of alcoholic beverages
ORGY = an extreme amount of a particular
activity
eg, The rebels went on an orgy of killing. || an
orgy of spending

HITHERTO = until now; until the particular

time you are talking about
eg, Her life hitherto had been devoid of
adventure. || a hitherto unknown species of
butterfly
DEMEANOUR = the way that somebody
looks or behaves
eg, He maintained a professional demeanour
IMMACULATE = 1- Spotless; extremely
clean and tidy
eg, The property is in immaculate condition.
2-Perfect; containing no mistakes
eg, His sense of timing was immaculate
INTACT = Undamaged; complete and not
damaged
eg, Most of the house remains intact even after
two hundred years || He emerged from the trial
with his reputation intact.
1 ace
Get an "A" on a test, homework assignment,
project, etc.
I heard that Susie aced the test yesterday
2 As easy as a pie
very easy
The test was as easy as a pie.
3 at the eleventh hour
at the last minute; almost too late.
He finished the project at the eleventh hour and
he nearly lost his job.
4 all ears
eager to hear what someone has to say.
Tell me about your latest trip overseas. Im all
ears.
5 be broke
be without money.
I need to borrow some money. I am broke.
6 be on the go
be very busy (going from one thing or project
to another).
I am very tired. I've been on the go since 5 in
the morning.
7 beat
exhausted; very tired
I need a break after this. I'm beat!"
8 beat around the bush
evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer.

Stop beating around the bush! Just tell me what

happened to my car.
9 bite off more than one can chew
take responsibility for more than one can
manage.
Mrs Lee finds it difficult to finish all her work.
She has bitten off more than she could chew!"
10 blow one's top
become extremely angry.
My father blew his top when he found out I
had taken his car without his permission.
11 burn the midnight oil
study/work all night or until very late at night.
Johan is not ready for the test. He will have to
burn the midnight oil."
12 call it a day
stop work for the day.
The labourers call it a day after working for
five hours on the field.
13 can't make heads or tails of something
can't understand something at all;
find something confusing and illogical.
I cannot make heads or tails of your notes.
Were you sleepy during the class?
14 catch one's eye
attract one's attention/interest.
This colourful advertisement caught my eye
when I was in the bus.
15 change one's mind
decide to do something different from what
had been decided earlier.
David did not go to Australia. He changed his
mind when he heard that his mother is ill.
16 cost (someone) an arm and a leg cost a lot;
be very expensive.
This car costs him an arm and a leg. He has to
get another job to help pay for it.
17 couch potato
someone who spends too much time watching
TV.
You are becoming a couch potato. You need to
get out and do some exercise.
18 Don't count your chickens until (before)
they hatch (they've hatched) Don't assume that
something will happen until it has happened.
I think you should not count your chickens
until theyve hatched. Wait till the boys win the
competition this Sunday.

19 drop someone a line

write to someone
Do drop me a line when you have time.
20 drag one's feet delay;
take longer than necessary to do something.
Why are you dragging your feet? You should
have finished your homework by now.
21 an eager beaver
a person who is always willing to volunteer or
do extra work.
Rahim is an eager beaver. He is the first to
volunteer for any job to be done.
22 feel blue
feel sad and depressed.
Rita is feeling blue because she has not heard
from her boyfriend for a long time.
23 fire someone
dismiss someone from a job because of poor
performance. Lokman might be fired if he
continues to be late for work.
24 get it
understand something (often negative).
I dont get it. Could you please explain it to me
again?
25 get on one's nerves
irritate someone; make someone upset.
His constant chatter is getting on my nerves.
Please tell him to keep quiet.
26 get out of hand:
become out of control; become badly
managed.
The situation is getting out of hand. The relief
centre can only hold forty people but we have
one hundred people to care for.
27 give someone a hand
i. help someone.
ii. applaud someone
Please give a hand to the poor old lady. She is
trying to cross the road.
The gardener has done a wonderful
landscaping job. Lets give him a hand.
28 Hard-headed
have one's hands full stubborn; inflexible;
unwilling to change.
Its pretty difficult to get Simon to change his
mind. He is hard-headed.
29 have one's hands full
extremely busy
Peggy usually has her hands full in the
beginning of a new school term.

30 in the black:
profitable; not showing a financial loss.
The company is back in the black after
suffering from great losses the last two months.
31 in the red:
unprofitable; showing a financial loss.
The company is in the red. We have to stop
some of the workers if the situation continues.
32 keep an eye on
check something regularly.
Please keep an eye on the children while I go
to the bank.
33 keep one's fingers crossed
hope for the best.
He is keeping his fingers crossed while waiting
for the results of his interview.
34 lend someone a hand
help someone.
Can you please lend a hand at the relief centre
for the flood victims?
35 live from hand to mouth
survive on very little money; have only enough
money
to pay for basic needs.
Ros and the children live from hand to mouth
after the fire destroyed their house.
36 make a mountain out of a molehill
make something seem much more important
than it really is.
Susila is making a mountain out of a molehill.
I am sure the boys are perfectly capable of
looking after themselves.
37 make up one's mind
decide what to do
Moses has to make up his mind whether to
continue his studies or take up a job.
38 on the dot exactly at a given time.
If you do not come on the dot, we will leave
without you.
39 (on the) cutting edge
using the most recent technology
This car boasts of having a cutting edge
technology. It has a computer and tracking
system.
40 pull someone's leg tease someone by trying
to make her/him believe something that's
untrue.
She pulled my leg when he said that he had
quit his job to get married.
41 Rain or shine
no matter what the weather

"We're leaving for Cameron Highlands, rain or

shine."
42 rain cats and dogs
Rain heavily
Its raining cats and dogs now. You better leave
later.
43 read someone's mind:
know what someone is thinking.
I can read your mind. I know you are very
hungry and I have ordered pizza.
44 rub someone the wrong way
irritate someone
I cannot stand Robert. He seems to rub me the
wrong way every time we discuss something.
45 sleep on it take some time to think about
something before making a decision.
You should sleep on it first and we will discuss
again tomorrow.
46 To make his own bed; now let him lie in it.
Someone has caused his/her own problems;
he/she will have to solve them himself/herself.

He insisted that he should take up the project

alone. So, he has made his own bed, let him lie
in it.
47 under the weather
ill; unwell.
Susan was feeling under the weather yesterday,
so she decided not to go to work."
48 until you're blue in the face
forever
You can advise him until you're blue in the
face, but he wont change his ways.
49 wet behind the ears inexperienced and
naive.
I do not think Suresh is suitable for this
project. He is still wet behind the ears, having
only joined us last month.
50 wishy-washy:
without an opinion of one's own.
You better check with the other members. John
can be wishy-washy at times.