一份标准英文合同通常可以分为前言（Preamble）、正文（Operative part）、附录（Schedule）及证明部分即结束词（Attestation）四大部分组成。　

前言（Preamble）由“Parties”及“Recitals”两部分组成。　

“Parties”为必备条款，在很多时候也称为“commencement”，即合同的开场白。主要介绍合同各方的名称或姓名、注册地及地址、邮编及在合同中的简称。当然，并不是所有的合同都要详细介绍以上诸要素，在许多简单合同中，只是提一下各方的名称。

以下为“Parties”的常用表达方式：

1. This Agreement is entered into by and between ____ and ____.

本协议由以下双方____和___ 签署。

2. This Agreement is entered into by and between ____ (hereinafter referred to as____) and ____ (hereinafter referred to as "_____"), whereby it is agreed as follows:

本协议由以下双方____（以下简称____）和_____（以下简称___）签署，达成如下协议：

注：在很多合同中，这部分还会插入具体的签约事由，如：

This Agreement is entered into through friendly negotiations between _____ Co. (hereinafter referred to as the “Party A”) and _____ Co. (hereinafter referred to as the “Party B”) based on equality and mutual benefit to develop business on the terms and conditions set forth below:

本协议由_____（以下称为甲方）和____（以下称为乙方）为发展业务在平等互利的基础上签订，其条款如下：

This Agreement is entered into between _____ (hereinafter referred to as "Company"), and ______, (hereinafter referred to as "Employee") pursuant to paragraph VIII(2) of the Employee Handbook, whereby it is agreed as follows:

本“协议”由_____（以下简称“公司”）与_____（以下简称“雇员”）根据“雇员手册”第VIII(2)款签署，“协议”内容如下：　

以下为标准的“Parties”条款：

3. This Agreement is made and entered into this _____th day of _____ in the year of ____ by and between ______, a company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of ______, with its principal place of business at _____ (hereinafter referred to as “_____”), and ______, a company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of _____, with its principal place of business at _____ (hereinafter referred to as “_____”), whereby it is agreed as follows:

本合约由______，在_____法律之下并凭该等法律正式组织并存在的公司，其主要营业地点在______（下称_____），与_____，在_____法律之下并凭该等法律正式组织并存在的公司，其主要营业地点______（下称代理人），于_____日签订和缔结，协议如下：　

“Recitals”

由数个以"Whereas"字样开头的句子所组合而成（这些句子俗称为“Whereas Clauses”），表示当事人乃是在基于对这些事实（例如订约的目的、背景来由等）的共同认识，订立此合约。

4. This Agreement is made and entered into this _____ day of _____ in the year of ____ by and between _______, a company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of ______, with its principal place of business at ______ (hereinafter referred to as “_____”), and ______, a company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of ______, with its principal place of business at ______ (hereinafter referred to as “_____”)

WITNESSED

WHEREAS, NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

本合约由_____，在_____法律之下并凭该等法律正式组织并存在的公司，其主要营业地点在______（下称_____）（或下称供应商），与_______，在_____法律之下并凭该等法律正式组织并存在的公司，其主要营业地点_

鉴于

因此，双方当事人达成以下协议：　

注：WITNESSED可以用WITHNESSTH、WITHNESSTH THAT等来代替。

在很多美国常用合同中，很多情况下直接用RECITALS引导数个陈述语句或“Whereas Clauses”。

下面为一个资产购买协议的前言部分实例：

This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of May 19, 1997 by and among AAA, a Delaware corporation ("AAA"), BBB, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of AAA ("Buyer"), CCC ("Summit"), and DDD, an Oregon corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit ("Seller").

RECITALS　

A. The Boards of Directors of each of Summit, Seller, AAA and Buyer believe it is in the best interests of each company and their respective security holders that Buyer acquire certain listed assets and assume certain listed liabilities of Seller (the "Acquisition").　

B. On the date hereof, Buyer has executed a $2,000,000 irrevocable purchase order to purchase 400 time-based licenses for Summit's Visual HDL interfaces for Visual Test bench ("VTB") software on AAA's standard form of purchase order, which is payable within five (5) business days after the date hereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

...