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Common Mistakes in Emails 3: Collocation Errors

Collocations are word partners that sound natural to native speakers. For example, raise awareness is a collocation, but elevate awareness isn’t. In the exercise below, the words in red are collocation errors that English language learners make in emails. Replace the red text with natural-sounding collocations. The potential answers are listed below.

Also see:
Common Mistakes in Emails 1
Common Mistakes in Emails 2

 

Correct the Collocation Errors

1. Thank you for bringing this to our notice. We’re working to solve this issue as quickly as possible.

2. I’m writing to show my dissatisfaction regarding the order I made on April 20. I am still anxiously waiting for the products to arrive. Please ship my order immediately or I will be forced to abandon my order.

3. As asked for, I have attached a copy of your purchase order. Please let me know if you require extra assistance.

4. Our records display that there is an outstanding balance of $150 on your account. Please send us your payment as soon as possible. If you have already sent your payment, please neglect this message and accept our thanks.

5. Just a kind reminder that today’s meeting has been suspended until next Wednesday at 11 a.m.

6. As you have been a faithful customer for years, we’ve decided to eliminate the late fee.

7. We warmly invite you to attend our annual holiday party. Your invitation is attached. We will have more details about the event in the approaching weeks. If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch with us.

8. In my former email, I forgot to communicate that I will be out of the office this Thursday, August 26.

9. Thank your for your fast response. Your comments and advice are deeply appreciated.

10. Pricing depends of the size of your order. If you plan to order a big quantity of widgets, you may be eligible for a quantity discount.

11. As I have recently ended my studies, I am currently searching a new position. I was wondering if you could write a letter of recommendation in my behalf.

12. Our hours of work are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. However, the store is shut tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.

13. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has generated. Thank you for your steady business.

14. We regret to notify you that your application has been denied. We thank you for your interest on ABC corporation, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

 

Potential Answers

1. Thank you for bringing this to our notice bringing this to our attention. We’re working to solve this issue resolve this issue as quickly as possible. (Note that we solve a problem and resolve an issue.)

2. I’m writing to show my dissatisfaction express my dissatisfaction regarding the order I made order I placed on April 20. I am still anxiously waiting for the products to arrive. Please ship my order immediately or I will be forced to abandon my order cancel my order.

3. As asked for As requested, I have attached a copy of your purchase order. Please let me know if you require extra assistance further/additional assistance.

4. Our records display Our records show/indicate that there is an outstanding balance of $150 on your account. Please send us your payment as soon as possible. If you have already sent your payment, please neglect this message disregard/ignore this message and accept our thanks.

5. Just a kind reminder Just a friendly reminder that today’s meeting has been suspended meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 11 a.m.

6. As you have been a faithful customer loyal customer for years, we’ve decided to eliminate the late fee waive the late fee.

7. We warmly invite cordially invite you to attend our annual holiday party. Your invitation is attached. We will have more details about the event in the approaching weeks coming weeks. If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch feel free to get in touch with us.

8. In my former email previous email, I forgot to communicate forgot to mention that I will be out of the office this Thursday, August 26.

9. Thank your for your fast response prompt response. Your comments and advice are deeply appreciated greatly appreciated.

10. Pricing depends of depends on the size of your order. If you plan to order a big quantity large quantity of widgets, you may be eligible for a quantity discount.

11. As I have recently ended my studies finished my studies, I am currently searching a new position seeking/looking for a new position. I was wondering if you could write a letter of recommendation in my behalf on my behalf.

12. Our hours of work hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. However, the store is shut the store is closed tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.

13. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has generated inconvenience this has caused. Thank you for your steady business continued business.

14. We regret to notify regret to inform you that your application has been denied. We thank you for your interest on interest in ABC corporation, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

 

For more error correction exercises, see:

Common Mistakes in Emails 1
Common Mistakes in Emails 2
Exercise 1A
(beginner)
Exercise 2A
 (intermediate)
Exercise 2B (intermediate)
Exercise 2C (intermediate)
Exercise 3A (advanced)
Error Correction for Spanish Speakers