"we earnestly look forward to hearing from you" Is this an okay phrase to use?

Question

I am thinking about ending a hand-written letter with a phrase "Thank you so much again for reading this letter, and we earnestly look forward to hearing from you."

I added the word "earnestly" because without it, I felt the phrase is s a bit canned & too standard. Everyone uses "looking forward to hearing from you", almost to the point the phrase is invisible. I was scared my recipient might disregard it.

I wanted to add some desperateness for a reply but I'm not sure if the phrase sounds natural.

Answer 1

Hi Esther,

I think it's true that this will stand out to your reader. However, the language used is not as effective as it could be. Saying "I earnestly look forward" does not mean that same as I am excited or I am eager. Earnest means serious, with intense conviction. It's a bit odd, I'd even say incorrect, to use the adverb to modify look. Since the adverb modifies the verb, the meaning becomes 'I look serious' or I am intensely looking. While we'd like to expression enthusiasm, I don't think "earnestly look" is an effective modifier.

Alternatively, you could end this letter with one of these options, employing a more active verb or more appropriate adjectives and/or adverbs:

I eagerly await your response.

I'd be thrilled to hear from you.

I'm excited for an opportunity to discuss this further with you.

I sincerely hope. . .

I am genuinely excited/eager/invested/hopeful/interested

I agree that the phrase "I look forward to hearing from you" is used very frequently. You do not have to use it at all! Express your interest and enthusiasm in fresh way that represents your true feelings rather than triteness that mirrors what's been done before.

Answer 2

Esther,

Earnestly is fine to use. It sounds unnatural to you because very few people use the word earnestly- most people use the word sincerely instead. But, it will catch the eye for that reason and the reader won’t overlook it.

Also, if your letter was about any sort of question or request, saying Please let me know! would also be fine.

Another trick I know to make people reply faster is to use their name a few times to make your message to them seem very personal. So, obviously your letter begins with something like Dear (Their name) but if you also put their name once or twice in the actual letter, it will feel very personal and they will be more inclined to reply quickly. You will feel unnatural adding their name when you don’t really have to, but trust me Esther, it works. ;)

Hope this helps :)

Answer 3

Hello Esther P.,

Grammatically you are fine with the word "earnestly."

However, and stepping away from proofreading and more into editing, "earnestly" is not typically used in the sense you use it here. "Eagerly" would be a better word, but if you're worried about sounding canned, I wouldn't use that, either.

Your options for a farewell sentence or paragraph would depend on the type of letter this is. Is it a business letter? Then I think you can stick with a canned response, or personalize it with a different word besides "eagerly" (keenly? avidly? fervently?). You say "we"; is this a fan letter to someone? If so, then show your enthusiasm! Is it to an academic author or instructor? You can probably stick with "eagerly". Depending on the subject and recipient of the letter, your choices abound!