How to write professional emails in English

Summary

In this video lesson, Alex explains how to write professional emails in English, focusing on phrases used for greetings, introducing topics, and making requests. He covers various levels of formality, from addressing colleagues to more official communication. Alex shares useful phrases like 'Hello', 'This is to inform you', and 'Thanks for your help', offering examples for each. The video is designed for individuals working in corporate environments or English-speaking settings. Alex encourages viewers to test their knowledge through quizzes and invites them to interact via comments while humorously mentioning cake in the staff room.

Takeaways

• 📧 The video teaches how to write professional emails in English, useful for corporate jobs or English-speaking environments.
• 👋 'Hello' is the most formal greeting, 'Hi' is neutral, and 'Hey' is informal, so use 'Hey' only with people you're familiar with.
• 📝 Use 'This is to inform you' for formal notifications and 'Just to let you know' for informal internal communication.
• 📢 When introducing good or bad news, you can say 'Good news!' or 'Bad news.' Adding excitement or seriousness based on context.
• 📚 To follow up on a previous discussion, you can use phrases like 'As discussed,' 'To follow up on,' or 'Regarding.'
• ❓ When making a request, use 'I'd like to know if/when/how' or 'Could you confirm if/when/how,' depending on the formality needed.
• 💡 Use 'Thanks for the info,' 'Thanks for the update,' or 'Thanks for looking into this' to show appreciation in an email.
• ⌛ Phrases like 'I'll get back to you as soon as I can' or 'I'll keep you posted' are good ways to close an email politely.
• 🙏 Use 'Thanks,' 'Regards,' or 'All the best' to close internal company emails, while 'Sincerely' is best for formal or official communication.
• 💻 The speaker emphasizes the flexibility of using these phrases in different parts of an email, depending on the context and tone.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The video script focuses on how to write a business or professional email in English, covering different phrases and expressions to use in various email situations.

Who is the target audience for this lesson?

The lesson is aimed at individuals who are new to a corporate job or those working in an English-speaking environment where emails are frequently used.

What are some common email greetings mentioned in the video?

Common email greetings mentioned are 'Hello,' 'Hi,' and 'Hey.' 'Hello' is the most formal, 'Hi' is neutral, and 'Hey' is very informal, used only with people you know well.

How can you inform someone of new information in a business email?

You can use phrases like 'This is to inform you that...' for formal emails or 'Just to let you know...' for more informal communication.

What is meant by 'following up' in email communication?

Following up refers to referencing a previous conversation or email. Phrases like 'As discussed' or 'To follow up on our meeting...' can be used to reintroduce a previously discussed topic.

How should you phrase a request in a professional email?

You can phrase a request using phrases like 'I'd like to know if/when/how,' 'Could you let me know...,' or 'Could you confirm...'. These expressions vary in formality depending on the situation.

What are some ways to say 'thank you' in an email?

Some ways to say 'thank you' include: 'Thanks for getting back to me,' 'Thanks for the info,' 'Thanks for the heads up,' 'Thanks for the update,' or 'Thanks for your help.'

How can you end a professional email politely?

You can end an email with phrases like 'I'll get back to you as soon as I can,' 'I'll let you know,' 'I'll keep you posted,' or 'Please let me know.' These expressions are polite and encourage continued communication.

When should you use 'Sincerely' to close an email?

'Sincerely' is typically used in more formal, official contexts, such as government documents, bank correspondence, or formal complaint letters. For internal company emails, 'Thanks' or 'Regards' are more commonly used.

What is a 'heads up' in the context of email communication?

A 'heads up' is an informal way of thanking someone for providing a warning or update about something in advance, such as an upcoming job position or important information.