7 Simple Examples of Business Email Writing in English

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business email writing

Most of us in the business world use emails as the main, and in some cases the only, means of written communication. For many students studying Business English and practising their business email writing skills is an important part of their course.

While most of us are happy to write informal emails to friends that might have grammatical mistakes in them, the same is not true when writing to colleagues and clients with whom we want to make a good impression.

Or where we need to be a bit more careful or more diplomatic than usual.

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So, how can you ensure that your email writing skills are up to standard? Here are some general tips I’d like to share with you:




1. Subject Line

Always have a subject line that summarises briefly and clearly the contents of the message (example: Re: Summary of Our Meeting with ABC Suppliers).

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2. Simplified Sentences

Don’t make your email look overcrowded by trying to use too many technical terms or long words. It is good to use complex and compound-complex sentences, but ensure that they are easy to understand.

The most common mistake that many of our students make is to translate directly from their own language. This can often lead to confusing sentences. A popular rule that you could adapt is to use the KISS Test – Keep It Short and Simple.

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3. Think of who your reader is going to be

Is it a colleague, a client or your boss? Should the email be informal or formal? Most business emails these days have a neutral tone. Note the difference between Informal and Formal:

InformalThanks for emailing me on 15th February
FormalThank you for your email dated 15th February

InformalSorry, I can’t make it.
FormalI am afraid I will not be able to attend

InformalCan you…?
FormalI was wondering if you could….?

Some emails to colleagues can be informal if you have a long working relationship and know them well. This is the style that is closest to speech, so there are often everyday words and conversational expressions that can be used. For instance, ‘Don’t forget’, ‘Catch you later’, ‘Cheers’.

The reader may also accept or overlook minor grammatical errors in informal emails. However, if the email is going to a client or senior colleague, bad grammar and an over-friendly writing style will most probably not be acceptable.

Check your Grammar ››

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4. Be very careful of capital letters, punctuation, spelling and basic grammar

While these can be tolerated in informal emails, they are very important in business emails as they are an important part of the image you create. Give yourself time to edit what you’ve written before you push that Send button.

In today’s busy world, it’s very easy to send out many emails without checking them thoroughly: as an English learner, you should make a conscious effort to double check before sending.

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5. Think about how direct or indirect you want to be

In some cultures, it is common practice to be very direct in email correspondence. However, this can cause a problem if you’re writing to someone in another country and in a language that is not your mother tongue. They might find your directness rude and possibly offensive.

Consider these:

DirectI need this in half an hour.
Indirect and politeWould it be possible to have this in half an hour?

DirectThere will be a delay
IndirectI’m afraid there may be a slight delay.

DirectIt’s a bad idea
IndirectTo be honest, I’m not sure if that would be a good idea.

By adjusting your tone, you are more likely to get a positive response from your reader.

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6. Be positive!

Look at these words: helpful, good question, agreed, together, useful, I will do my best, mutual, opportunity.

Now look at these: busy, crisis, failure, forget it, I can’t, it’s impossible, waste, hard.

The words you use show your attitude to life, so choose your words wisely.

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7. Get feedback

Try and get some feedback on the emails that you write. This could be from your English Teacher or someone you know whose English is at a good level.

Study the English in any emails you receive. If it is a well-written email, look carefully at some of the language used. Start your own phrase book by collecting a bank of phrases from what you hear or read all around you; they may be useful in the future.

Check your Grammar ››

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Author: Shanthi Cumaraswamy Streat

Shanthi StreatShanthi graduated in Politics and International Studies from the University of Southampton, UK in 1989.
After 20 years in the world of Finance in such varied fields as life assurance, stockbroking, fund management and wealth management, she decided to re-train as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Trainer.
She studied the CELTA at International House, London in 2009 and has since been a freelance English Language Trainer. She is also the co-owner of Language and The City.

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Sebathas
Sebathas
Guest
5 years ago

Its usefull I need more emails as a study

vikas
vikas
Guest
5 years ago

Hi,
my name is vikas,
i glad to thank you so much for your services. it really wonderful way to improve writing skill with technical words. Dear Sir/Madam would you advise to about your website which one help me to learn standard writing .

GIRISHA K
GIRISHA K
Guest
6 years ago

Send corporate daily mails

GIRISHA K
GIRISHA K
Guest
6 years ago

ok

hussein qattan
hussein qattan
Guest
6 years ago

Thank you very much

Dipak kumar
Dipak kumar
Guest
5 years ago

I want to learn advanced writing English technique.

Muhammad Rohan
Muhammad Rohan
Guest
5 years ago

Dear,
Will you please teach me that how to improve writing skills.

Milan Sapkota
Milan Sapkota
Guest
5 years ago

Hi
I’m Milan Sapkota. Thanks for the knowledge about that Email. I need your help . So Please provide me your personal mail address . i have some serious problem while texting.

Bhavesh Makwana
Bhavesh Makwana
Guest
Reply to  Anastasia Koltai
5 years ago

dear
i want to know how to draft business mail

rajesh gadhave
rajesh gadhave
Guest
5 years ago

hi,
first of all Thank you so much.
please help me how to improve my communication , grammer, spoken english knowledge .
I read newspaper ,stories but its not affective for me.

Hameed Wahidi
Hameed Wahidi
Guest
5 years ago

Hi my name is Hameed from Afghanistan,
learning English is the most difficult way for me in my life, I’m train hard to learn. thank you from your services.
I always following your website…

Kalpesh Choubisa
Kalpesh Choubisa
Guest
4 years ago

Hello Mam,
It’s a very informative article.
Thank you for writing such wonderful article. I will corrects few of my mistakes while writing the e-mails.
Regards
Kalpesh

Chris
Guest
10 months ago

Simple and informative article. Thank you for your ideas.