外贸函电书写基本原则
一、Courtesy 礼貌
语言要有礼且谦虚，及时地回信也是礼貌的表现。
例如：
We have received with many thanks your letter of 20 May,nd we take the pleasure of sending you our latest catalog. We wish to draw your attention to a special offer which we have made in it.
You will be particularly interested in a special offer on page 5 of the latest catalog enclosed, which you requested in your letter of 20 May.
二、Consideration 体谅
写信时要处处从对方的角度去考虑有什么需求，而不是从自身出发，语气上更尊重对方。
例如：
“You earn 2 percent discount when you pay cash. We will send you the brochure next month. ”就比 “We allow 2 percent discount for cash payment. We won't be able to send you the brochure this month.” 要好。
三、Completeness 完整
一封商业信函应概况了各项必需的事项，如邀请信应说明时间、地点等，确忌寄出含糊不清的信件。
四、Clarity 清楚
意思表达明确，要注意：
（一）避免用词错误：
例如：As to the steamers sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
此处bimonthly有歧义：可以是twice a month or once two month.故读信者就迷惑了，可以改写为：
1.We have two direct sailings every month from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
2.We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
3.We have a direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
（二）注意词语所放的位置：
例如：
1. We shall be able to supply 10 cases of the item only.
2. We shall be able to supply 10 cases only of the item.
前者则有两种商品以上的含义。
（三）注意句子的结构：
例如：
1.We sent you 5 samples yesterday of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20 by air.
2.We sent you, by air, 5 samples of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20.
五、Conciseness 简洁
（一）避免废话连篇：
例如：
1.We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter...可改为：We appreciate your letter...
2.Enclosed herewith please find two copies of...可改为: We enclose two copies of...
（二）避免不必要的重复：
（三）短句、单词的运用：
Enclosed herewith----->enclosed
at this time----->now
due to the fact that----->because
a draft in the amount of $1000----->a draft for $1000
六、Concreteness 具体
七、Correctness 正确
外贸英语函电范文
Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What City
Address: 地址略-------
Tel: 电话号码略 Fax: 传真号码略________
To: Ms Jaana Pekkala, Consultant for China Swiss Organization for Facilitating Investments Fax: +41-1-249 31 33
Total pages of this fax: 2
_________________________
Dear Ms Jaana Pekkala,
We understand from The Swiss Business Guide for China that your organization is helping Swiss firms in seeking opportunities of investing in China and business cooperating with Chinese partners. To establish business relations with your organization and attract Swiss companies' investment here in What, We write to introduce our city, the city of What, as one of the open cities in Liaoning Province, China and also ourselves, Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What, as a What government initiative to facilitate business relationship with foreign companies.
Our committee provides advice and assistance to What firms seeking to export their services, goods to foreign areas and import goods and services abroad. We also assist Whatfirms in establishment of joint ventures and carry the procedures for examination and approval of joint ventures and foreign sole investment firms. Our Committee can provide What companies with information on the world market and specific commercial opportunities as well as organize trade missions, seminars and business briefings.
Our committee facilitates and encourages investment from other countries into targeted sectors of What economy and maintains active promotion of What through its network of contacts in domestic and abroad areas.
Nowadays, we are seeking foreign investment in the field of capital construction, such as improving of tap water system and highway construction. Also, we are setting up a tannery zone in Tong'erpu, the largest leather clothes producing and wholesaling base in North China. We invite Swiss companies with most favorable polices to set up their firms in any form on tanning, leather processing and sewage treatment.
Any information on investment projects into What and on business cooperation with firms in What is highly appreciated and will be pass on to anyone who have approached us with interest in similar project. You are also invited to our city for investigation and business tour.
Should you have any questions, please fell free to contact us.
Thank you for your attention and looking forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely yours,
Qiming Di
Commercial Assistant
For Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What City
