Cover letters are typically categorized according to two purposes:

1. Applying for a specific, advertised opening ('letter of application'),
2. Expressing interest in an organization when the job seeker is uncertain whether there are current openings ('letter of inquiry'). Before you start writing this type of cover letter, you should familiarize yourself with the document’s purpose. A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. The letter provides detailed information on why you are qualified for the job you are applying for. 

Students are often asked to submit a cover letter for an internship application. Despite this specific information, cover letters for internship should have a standard business letter format. There are two main types of covering letters:

1. The inquiry letter, which inquires about possible positions, there isn´t any job opening.
2. The application letter, which responds to a known job opening.

According to studies, a good cover letter should:

• Be specific and up-to-date
• Be well punctuated and spelled, and grammatically correct. It should be free of mistakes and typos.
• Use timelines to highlight chronological information.
• Reference to the latest job positions, most closely related to the position for which one is demanding

As well as inquiring about open or upcoming positions, a letter of inquiry can also be used to set up an informational interview with human resources or higher-level employees.

Inquiry letters should contain information on why the company interests you, and detail how and why your skills and experience would be an asset to the company. 

Politeness and brevity are key when it comes to writing a letter of inquiry—remember, you're aiming to make a good impression, and to show that you'd be an asset to the company.

While the company may not be hiring currently, or may not have a job posted that is appropriate for you, a letter of inquiry will help you be on the company's radar when opportunities that are suitable for you arise.

As with all cover letters, the body of this job application letter is divided into three sections:

• The introduction, which should include why the applicant is writing.
• The body, which discusses relevant qualifications.
• The close, which thanks the reader and provides contact information and follow-up details.
• Your signature to end the letter.

Whenever possible, it's best to be able to address your letter of inquiry to someone specific, rather than having a generic greeting such as "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern." Check with your friends, family, and professional network to see whether they know anyone at the company.

You can send a letter of inquiry to people in the human resources department, or to a manager-level contact in the department you'd ideally like to work in.

This is an example of inquiry letter:

Inquiry letter.

When applying for a job, a cover letter should be sent or posted with your resume or curriculum vitae. Typically, a cover letter is a one-page document that explains to the hiring manager why you are an ideal candidate for the job. It goes beyond your resume to explain in detail how you could add value to the company.

It can be daunting to write a cover letter that really emphasizes the qualities you have to offer an employer.

Application letter.

If you are sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title you are applying for in the subject line of the email. Include your contact information in your email signature but don't list the employer's contact information. Skip the date and start your email message with the salutation. Here's an example of a formatted email cover letter.

Download email application letter.

 We are going to try and explain these questions.

• Active: The children broke the toy. (The windows: direct object).
• Passive: The toy was broken by the children. (By the children: by agent).

RULES.

• The direct object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
• The verb "to be + past participle" is used in the same verbal tense as the active verb. The verb "to be" is in accordance with the new subject.
• The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent in the passive, when it is mentioned.

FORM.

• The passive of an active tense is formed by putting the verb "to be" into the same tense as the active verb.
• We add the past participle of the active verb.
• The active direct object becomes the passive subject.
• In the passive, we use "by + agent" to say who did the action. When the information given is essential, it is often omitted.

 We are going to see the formal aspects of the passive voice.

• TWO OBJECTS: When there are two objects (direct and indirect), two passives are possible.
  • Active: Robert sent her some flowers.
    • Her: Indirect Object / Some flowers: Direct Object.
  • Passive:
    • 1. Some chocolates were sent to her.
    • 2. She was sent some chocolates. (This form -Indirect Object as a subject- is more frequent).
  • Active: They asked me lots of questions.
    • Me: Indirect Object / Lots of questions: Direct Object.
  • Passive:
    • 1. Lots of questions were asked to me.
    • 2. I was asked lots of questions. (More frequent).

  • Summarising: When there are two objects, it is more frequent to begin the passive sentence with the person (Indirect Object).

• INTERROGATIVE AND NEGATIVE PASSIVE FORMS.

  • In the negative form we use the verb to be in the negative.
    • The best beers aren't produced in Holland.
    • Austria wasn't discovered in 1495.
  • For the interrogative form, we use: Wh-word + Auxiliary (be) + Subject + Verb?
    • Active: Where have they found the Rolex´s Susan?
    • Passive: Where has the Rolex´s Susan been found?
• MODAL AND AUXILIARY VERBS IN THE PASSIVE VOICE.
  • When there is a modal verb, we use the modal verb + be + past participle.
    • Mary should explain the lesson again.
    • The lesson should be explained again.
    • We must close this window after 08:00 pm.
    • This window must be closed after 08:00 pm.

What are the main differences in use between the passive and the active voice?

We normally use the passive:

• When it is more important to stress the thing done than the doer of it, that is to say, the action is more important than the subject of the action.
  • His scooter was stolen last night is more usual than Thieves stole his scooter last night.
  • New pedestrian crossings have been made is more usual than Workers have made new pedestrian crossings.
  • He was killed in the war is more usual than The enemy killed him in the war.
• When the subject in the active (the person who does the action) is not known, unimportant or is obvious from the context.
  • My motorbike was stolen last night. (Who stole it? We don't know).
  • Donald Trump was elected president of the USA in January, 2017.
• The passive voice is often translated into Spanish by the "se" expression or by the third person plural.
  • The concert has been cancelled. = El concierto se ha cancelado.
  • German is spoken here. = Se habla alemán aquí.
  • He was killed in the war. = Lo mataron en la guerra.

The passive voice is commonly used in newspapers headlines and boards. In these cases the verb "to be" is frequently omitted.

• Four shot at night means Four people have been shot or were shot at night.
• Sold means This has been sold.
• Six years old boy rescued from a well means six years old boy was rescued from a well.