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  4. An email to ask a colleague to do something

An email to ask a colleague to do something

Learn how to write an email to ask a colleague to do something.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Reading text

From: Gabriela Flores
To: Yuki Sato
Subject: Request for new price list for V1698 face creams

Dear Yuki,  

We are presenting to some new clients next Monday 10 December and they are interested in our V1698 face creams.

I understand from Kate that the prices have changed recently. She mentioned that you have the new price list. Do you think you could email it to me?

I would be grateful if we could have it by close of business on Thursday 6 December. That would give us time to prepare for our presentation.

Thanks very much for your help.

Best regards,

Gabriela

Tips

  1. Some people prefer you to use their first names, and others prefer you to use their title (e.g. Ms/Mr) + their surnames. Find out what is normal in your company when writing emails.
  2. Explain the reason for the request.
  3. Give a deadline when possible.
  4. Give dates clearly.
  5. Make your request polite by starting it with Do you think you could … ? or I would be grateful if you/we/I could … .
  6. If you don't know the person you are writing to well, you can finish by writing Best regards just before you sign your name.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

Do you write a lot of emails to your colleagues?

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Language level

A2 - Pre-intermediate
Average: 5 (2 votes)
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Submitted by Rabia Syed on Mon, 04/01/2021 - 15:00

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I never composed email. I just use my email account to send my assignment our teachers especially during in COVID-19. But I would try to send an email to my friend for better practice.

Submitted by Minh on Mon, 21/12/2020 - 18:40

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Hi my friend ! I am so busy at that time, because I have to focus to learn english. I've considered something happened. Please let me know what happen from the time we 've connected together. I appreciate for your help

Submitted by Anhvu on Sat, 05/12/2020 - 14:25

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Because i'm a student so i never write emails to my colleagues. I don't have colleagues, i just have friends lol. I always contact my friends on my phone or messenger. I just write emails to my teachers. But, i always write short, sometimes, i write in handwriting and then phorogaph it.

Submitted by Moon Wathan on Wed, 14/10/2020 - 09:00

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Sometimes, I write email to my colleague. But most of the time, I phone her. I think this is suitable for me because I am so lazy to write email to everyone.

Submitted by Casa942 on Thu, 24/09/2020 - 05:23

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For the official work its necessary to write an email to others because its help to explain all what we need . For me Im always use this way to communicate with my colleagues .

Submitted by Matt18 on Wed, 16/09/2020 - 13:43

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I usually send an email to companies or universities to request something or make any inquiries for instance, I was writing an email to the university regarding my enrollment process yesterday. I would be grateful if someone, companies or organisation could contact with me by email, so it would be nice to save a time and respond them in proper time.

Submitted by shironeiko on Thu, 27/08/2020 - 00:37

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I havent ever been writing this kind of gmail like that because gmail is not popular in my area
Profile picture for user shelly

Submitted by shelly on Mon, 24/08/2020 - 03:53

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Sometimes when I have to transmit some files or important information, I would choose to write an email to my colleague. Since writing an email could save the information in our mailbox. Due to some special reason, like noisy enviroment, signal problem, etc., I prefer not to give a call to my colleague during working time or off- work, but if it is an emergency, I choose to give a call first, then I will send a short message. In my region, people here use wechat everyday, and most of the time we could send files, voice through this App, and it is very convenient, but I donot like it at all as it rush into my life no matter what time it is. An email as following: Dear Bella, I am attaching the signed PI from our Russia customer, please processing this order accordingly. If your have any questions, please contact me. Best Regards.

Submitted by Rinaa on Tue, 18/08/2020 - 22:30

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Yes, most of the time I communicate with my colleagues by email. It's a great tool for communication. You can email your colleagues to let them know about different activities that you have done, for requesting information that you need from them, asking for collaboration, or sending files and documents. If you send emails you will have evidence that you finished your tasks and responsibilities. Hi Tom We are meeting a new company on Monday 10 December, to discuss opportunities for having a project together. I understood from Mike, that you have a list of our past projects and all detailed information about them. Do you think you could email them to me? I would be grateful if I could receive it before Friday, which would give me time to review them and to prepare my presentation for the company. Best Regard Rina