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Writing Polite Emails: How to be Indirect and Polite

 

Practice

Make the following more polite and indirect:

There is a problem.
___________________________________________________________________________

I completely disagree with your proposal.
________________________________________________________________________

We can’t do that in three days.
________________________________________________________________________

We need more time.
________________________________________________________________________

It will be better to ask Brad.
________________________________________________________________________

Can you give me a ride home?
________________________________________________________________________

You made a mistake on the invoice.
________________________________________________________________________

That’s more than we are willing to pay.
________________________________________________________________________

Can I have Friday off?
________________________________________________________________________

We should wait. Now isn’t the right time.
________________________________________________________________________

Let’s cancel the project.
________________________________________________________________________

It’s a bad idea.
________________________________________________________________________

Did you finish the report yet?
________________________________________________________________________

 

Writing Practice

Write emails for the situations below. Be polite and indirect. Use the language in the chart above (modals, distancing phrases, tentative language, introductory phrases, positive language).

1. You have some suggestions about how to get more business. You want to meet with one of the managers and talk about this business opportunity. Write a polite email requesting a 30-minute meeting.

2. You have some personal issues you need to take care of on Tuesday morning. You’d like to take Tuesday morning off and make up the time later in the week. Write a polite email to your supervisor explaining the situation. Ask for permission to take the time off and make it up later in the week.

3. Your own situation: Are there any situations you regularly deal with that require polite, indirect emails? Think of a situation and write a polite email.

 

See Also:

How to Start an Email

How to End an Email

 

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