This letter concerns

Using this phrase is like setting the GPS before you start driving. It usually appears as the very first sentence of a formal letter. The structure is simple: This letter concerns + [Your Topic]. For example, This letter concerns your recent inquiry regarding the refund policy. Notice how there is no to or about after concerns. The verb does all the heavy lifting itself. You don't need to say "I am writing because this letter concerns." That’s like saying "I am eating because I am consuming food." Just get straight to the point. It’s a bold, active way to start your correspondence. Think of it as the opening credits of a movie—it tells you exactly what you're about to watch.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a "Yo!" text and 10 is a supreme court ruling, this phrase is a solid 9. It belongs in the world of official notices, legal correspondence, and high-level corporate communication. You’ll find it in letters from your bank, your landlord, or a government office. It is strictly formal. You would never use it in a casual email to a teammate about where to get lunch. If you did, they’d probably think you were about to fire them or sue them for stealing your yogurt from the fridge. It’s the tuxedo of English phrases—it looks great at a gala, but you’d look pretty weird wearing it to a backyard BBQ.

Imagine you are a landlord sending a notice to a tenant. You’d write: This letter concerns the upcoming maintenance scheduled for your building on Friday. Or perhaps you are a customer complaining to a company: This letter concerns the faulty laptop I purchased on October 12th. In both cases, the phrase establishes a professional boundary. It says, "We are discussing a specific matter, and I expect you to take it seriously." Even in the digital age, you might see this at the top of a formal PDF attachment in an email. It’s the standard for any situation where "Hey, just wanted to check in" feels too soft or unprofessional.

Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high or the situation is official. Use it for formal complaints, job application follow-ups (the very serious kind), or when responding to a legal inquiry. It’s perfect for insurance claims, visa applications, or academic appeals. If you need to make sure the reader knows exactly which file or incident you are talking about, this is your best friend. It’s also useful when you are writing on behalf of a company or organization. It gives you an air of professionalism that makes you sound like you know exactly what you’re doing—even if you’re actually writing the letter in your pajamas.

Avoid this phrase in everyday emails, Slack messages, or DMs. If you start a WhatsApp message to a friend with This message concerns our dinner plans, they will probably ask if you've been hacked or if you're feeling okay. It’s also too stiff for modern, friendly business cultures. If you work at a tech startup where everyone wears hoodies, this letter concerns might make you sound like a time traveler from 1952. Also, never use it for good news that should feel warm. This letter concerns your promotion sounds a bit like a cold robot is giving you a raise. For happy moments, "I’m thrilled to share..." works much better.

The most frequent slip-up is adding extra prepositions. People often try to say ✗ This letter concerns about or ✗ This letter concerns to. In English, concerns is a transitive verb here, meaning it takes an object directly. Another mistake is using it as a noun, like ✗ This letter is a concern of. That changes the meaning entirely—it would mean the letter itself is a problem! Also, watch your spelling. It’s concerns, not conserns or concirns. English spelling is a wild ride, and this word is no exception. Finally, don't confuse it with "To whom it may concern," which is a greeting, not a way to start your first sentence.

If this letter concerns feels a bit too "lawyer-ish," you have options. Regarding is a very common alternative, often used in subject lines. I am writing in reference to is another classic that carries similar weight but feels slightly more like a conversation. If you want to be even more direct, you can say The purpose of this letter is to address... In the UK, you might hear I am writing in connection with. In modern emails, people often just use a subject line like Subject: Your Application and start the email with "I'm writing to discuss..." These all do the same job, but they vary in how much they make you sound like you're wearing a wig in a courtroom.

Is it okay for emails? Yes, but only if the email is serving as a formal document. For regular office chat, it’s too much. Can I use it for complaints? Absolutely—it’s the gold standard for making a complaint sound official. Does it sound mean? Not necessarily mean, but definitely serious. It’s like the "parent voice" of writing. Is it British or American? It’s used in both! It’s a universal piece of the Global Business English toolkit. If you want to sound like a pro who means business, this is the phrase to keep in your back pocket.