"I" or "We"

[BigBrand]

Can anyone offer some insight to settle a debate please.

When writing a formal letter to someone you do not know personally, but know of, via dealings as a Company to individual basis, how should you address yourself when writing to provide them a formal decision.

Should it be "I" or "We."

For example

"I am writing to you" or " We are writing to you"


I'm in the "we" camp, as although it's you writing the letter, you are representing the company, you are not the company, but I'd like to know the correct use.

[chizh]

I use 'I' when doing this sort of stuff. Mainly because I'm the one asking/requesting/observing something. " I have noticed that we do not have your current ISO certificate on file."
To be equally fair, I would use 'we' when giving someone bad news etc. "Unfortunately, we are unable to quote for this part at this time."

Decision-wise, Good news = I. Bad news = We.

Doesn't help you ( or should that be thee????) right now though.

[DJ OD]

I doubt it makes much of a difference.

I think it should be "I" on the basis that "we" implies more than one person, and more than one person can't really write the same letter...

Then again, my advice isn't too your liking much these days.


DJ OD

[BigBrand]

I use 'I' when doing this sort of stuff. Mainly because I'm the one asking/requesting/observing something. " I have noticed that we do not have your current ISO certificate on file."
To be equally fair, I would use 'we' when giving someone bad news etc. "Unfortunately, we are unable to quote for this part at this time."

Decision-wise, Good news = I. Bad news = We.

Doesn't help you ( or should that be thee????) right now though.

In my context, it would be bad news, so we sits well with me, or thee (let's not go there!)

I doubt it makes much of a difference.

I think it should be "I" on the basis that "we" implies more than one person, and more than one person can't really write the same letter...

Then again, my advice isn't too your liking much these days.


DJ OD

Interesting point, on the flip, if you use I, are you responsible personally? As I'm thinking, if your responding on behalf of the company, then any retrospective action etc is against the company and not you personally.

Your advise is always appreciated, as long as it's right

[Teajunkie]

When i send emails I always use "we"

We will. We can. and We do.
I think it sounds better but that's just my opinion.