How formal should a work email be?

Match the other person. With a manager or a client, use full sentences and polite openers. With a close team, shorter is fine.

English for work

Professional email phrases in English

Four situations you will meet, with Spanish beside English, and a guide to making a blunt line polite.

Spanish / English
Spanish	English
Hola Ana, espero que estés bien.	Hi Ana, I hope you are well.
Quería hablar contigo sobre mi salario.	I would like to talk to you about my salary.
En el último año asumí más responsabilidades.	Over the past year, I have taken on more responsibility.
¿Podemos agendar 20 minutos esta semana?	Could we schedule 20 minutes this week?
Gracias por tu tiempo.	Thank you for your time.

Spanish / English
Spanish	English
Gracias por reunirse conmigo hoy.	Thank you for meeting with me today.
Me entusiasmó conocer más sobre el equipo.	I enjoyed learning more about the team.
Quedo atento a los próximos pasos.	I look forward to hearing about the next steps.
Si necesitan algo más, avísenme.	Please let me know if you need anything else.

Spanish / English
Spanish	English
Gracias por la propuesta, pero no puedo aceptarla.	Thank you for the offer, but I am not able to accept it.
No llego a esa fecha.	That date is difficult for me.
¿Podemos verlo la semana que viene?	Could we look at it next week?
Lo siento, pero no voy a poder.	I am afraid I will not be able to.

Spanish / English
Spanish	English
¿Podemos mover la reunión?	Could we move the meeting?
Me surgió algo urgente.	Something urgent came up.
¿Te queda bien el jueves a las 10?	Does Thursday at 10 work for you?
Perdón por el cambio de último momento.	Sorry for the short notice.

Blunt / Polite
Blunt	Polite
Send me the file.	Could you send me the file when you have a moment?
This is wrong.	I think there may be a small mistake here.
I need it today.	Would it be possible to get it today?
You did not answer.	Just following up on my last message.

Key word transformation

Make the second sentence formal. Use the key word, unchanged.

1. I want to know if the position is still open.
WONDERING
I amthe position is still open.
2. Send me the report by Friday.
APPRECIATE
I wouldsend me the report by Friday.
3. Sorry for the late reply.
APOLOGISE
Ithe late reply.
4. Tell me if you need more information.
FREE
Pleasecontact me if you need more information.
5. I'm writing about the invoice.
REGARD
I am writingthe invoice.
6. Please answer soon.
HEARING
I look forwardfrom you soon.

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How formal should a work email be?: Match the other person. With a manager or a client, use full sentences and polite openers. With a close team, shorter is fine.

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