E-mail writing in a professional context: the essentials
A. Here are some common e-mail exchanges. Re-write the sentences in the right order.
Proofread and spell check.
1. sorry, you forgot the send to attachment. you can again send it?
2. mean you to send this did? i dont want the attachment to open in case its a virus got.
3. about that are you sure? i thought was in Istanbul the conference.
4. ill check and get to back you later today.
5. you do mean which conference?
6. i dont this point understand sorry. can you in a little detail more explain it?
7. im sure not what mean you by this. you could clarify?
8. i thought on Thursday was the meeting, but I wrong may be.
9. sorry, my last email forget. youre right. not Friday, it should Thursday be.
10. what was meant I Gatwick, not Heathrow. the situation this clarifies i hope.
B. What should be the subject line?
Email 1
Subject, ..
Re your last email, we are in the process of arranging the meeting scheduled for 14 May, but there are still
a few details I need from you. Do you want me to book hotel accommodation for you -or will you sort it out
at your end? Also, can you send us something about the Barcelona project you were involved in last year?
It would be helpful to have something to circulate before the meeting. Please send a copy of any relevant
reports. Regards, Monica.
Email 2
Subject: ..............................................
Sorry for the delay in replying -I've been out of the country on business. Unfortunately. the items you
ordered are not in stock, but we're expecting delivery by the end of the week. I'll get back to you as soon as
they arrive. If you need any more information, please feel free to contact me.
Email 3
Subject: ...........................................
Luisa, I've emailed Michelle and Roberto about the changes to the contract Shall I have a word with
Michelle to make sure she understands what's going on? You work with Roberto - can you talk to him?
Thanks for your help- I appreciate it
Email 4
Subject: ...........................................
.
Good news! Subscribers to our email newsletter can take advantage of fantastic price savings in our
January sale. I've attached a pdf file that gives full details, or alternatively just click on the link below. You
can order over the web or by email- our customer service staff are standing by. Looking forward to hearing
from you soon.
Email 5
Subject ..
Just a short note to let you know that we received your order. We can confirm that the items were sent by
mail today. To track your order, click on the link below. If there's anything else, just let us know, Best wishes,
Exercises from Emmerson, P. E-Mail English MacMillan
C. Invitations and directions
Look at the phrases in italics in the three emails below. One phrase in each pair comes from a company
with a formal culture, the other phrase comes from a company with an informal culture. Underline all the
phrases from the formal company.
Email 1
Dear Mary!/Hi Mary
Im writing to invite you/We would be very pleased if you could come to a meeting here on 14 May. It
has been arranged/l've arranged it to bring together all our colleagues working in Central Europe to/in
order to share experiences about working in this market. Your attendance will be very welcome/It'd be
great to see you.
The meeting will last all day and will have an informal agenda you won't need to/it will not be
necessary to write a report for it or make a presentation. Refreshments will be provided/There'll be
plenty to eat and drink during the day. I'I//Hope to see you in May/Your presence at the meeting will be
very useful. Please let me know if youll /will be able to attend/can make it, 1101asap/as soon as
possible. Best regards, John Saunders/Stephanie
Email 2
Thanks a lot for the invite/Thank you for your kind invitation. I would be delighted to attend/l'd love to
come to the meeting. It sounds like a great ideal/I am sure it will be very useful. Please let me know if
there's anything I can do to help from this end.
Will it be okay/Would it be possible to bring Martina Rutka as well? She's a new member of our team
and is very involved with the Central Europe market. Thanks again/Thank you once more for your
invitation, and I look forward to seeing you/see you on 14 May. ....
D. Cross out the error and re-write the correct word or phrase
1 I am write with regard to your recent email. .. .l am writing..
2 Please send me your comments until Friday at the latest. .
3 I will be grateful if you could send me more information
4 Please find attach my report, as promised in Friday's meeting.
5 I hope we can to meet up soon.
6 I look forward to receiving this information so soon as possible.
7 I'm sorry I haven't written for ages, but I been really busy.
8 It will be more better for me if we meet on Tuesday rather than Monday.
9 Can we meet at 8 Feb at 14.30 instead?
10 Sorry, I don't can help you on this matter.
11 If you require any further informations, please do not hesitate to contact me.
12 I look forward to meet you next week.
13 I am really appreciate your kindness during my stay in London.
14 At the meeting we will discuss the follow points.
15 I'm afraid but we haven't received your payment yet.
Exercises from Emmerson, P. E-Mail English MacMillan
