Useful email language
Useful language for the TOEFL email: requests, explanations, suggestions, apologies and thanks — in a polite, appropriate tone.
In this lesson you will
- Use polite request and suggestion language
- Explain situations and give reasons clearly
- Match tone to the recipient
Learn
The email task gives a situation and points to include. Useful functions: explaining, requesting, suggesting, apologising, thanking.
Requests: Would it be possible to…? I was wondering if you could… Could you please let me know…?
Suggestions and explanations: One option might be to… Perhaps we could… The reason I’m writing is that… Unfortunately, … because…
Tone: to a professor or office — polite and semi-formal (Dear Professor Lee, … Best regards); to a classmate — friendly but clear (Hi Sam, … Thanks!).
Examples
- I was wondering if it would be possible to submit the paper on Monday instead.
- Unfortunately, I missed Tuesday’s class because I was ill.
- Perhaps we could meet in the library on Thursday afternoon?
Vocabulary
recipient
the person receiving an email
semi-formal
polite but not very formal
request
politely ask for
instead
in place of something
appreciate
be grateful for
Practice
Most polite request to a professor:
Writing
You missed an important class because you were ill. Write an email to your professor: explain why you missed it, ask what you should do to catch up, and request a short extension for the assignment. (100–140 words)
- ☐ Appropriate greeting and closing
- ☐ All three points covered
- ☐ Polite request language
- ☐ Clear reasons
- ☐ Semi-formal tone
Lesson quiz
A good closing for a professor:
Review
Key points
- Request, explain, suggest, apologise, thank.
- Polite request forms.
- Tone matches recipient.
- Cover every point.
What you learned
- ✓ I use appropriate email language.
- ✓ I make polite requests.
- ✓ I adapt tone.