Formal prepositions in business and legal contexts
Q1. ___ your letter of 15 March
RE means regarding or in the matter of. Formal correspondence uses it. Letters receive replies.
Q2. Payment is due ___ invoice
PER means according to. Invoices specify terms. Payment is expected.
Q3. ___ the contract, section 4.2 applies
PURSUANT TO is highly formal legal language. Contracts contain sections. Legal language persists.
Q4. ___ your enquiry, we are pleased to confirm
REGARDING is formal business English. Enquiries receive confirmations. Commerce continues.
Q5. ___ the merger, all staff will be retained
CONCERNING is formal. Mergers affect staff. Retention is assured.