Giving instructions by email

Giving instructions by email

Learn how to write an email to give instructions.

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

Reading text

To: Meena
From: Suki
Subject: What to do while we're away

Hi Meena,

Thank you so much for offering to house sit for us next week. I'm only sorry we won't get to catch up properly until we get back from our trip. Anyway, here's everything I won't have time to tell you on Saturday morning.

  1. The alarm code is 7957. Don't forget to set it when you go out and remember to turn it off when you get back home as it is LOUD!
  2. The rabbits need feeding once a day and under no circumstances should they be allowed out of their cage in the garden as the neighbour's cats have attacked them in the past.
  3. Please can you use the washing machine in the daytime only as it's old and noisy and the neighbours complain otherwise?
  4. Would you mind opening all the upstairs windows for an hour in the morning as the house gets damp at this time of year?

That's about it! You'll find everything you need in the house, and help yourself to anything in the fridge or cupboards. Feel free to call or text if you have any problems/questions.

See you briefly to hand over keys on Saturday morning and looking forward to a proper chat when we get back!

Thanks again!

Suki

Tips

  1. Start by saying thank you if you know that the person has already agreed to help you. End with a thank you as well.

  2. Use bullet points or a list to present the instructions clearly for the reader.

  3. Phrase the instructions as polite requests, e.g. Don't forget to ... , Please can you ... , Would you mind ... However, you can be more direct for important instructions, e.g. The ... need(s) ... , Under no circumstances ... , Don't forget to ... .

  4. To emphasise the importance of an instruction, explain what the consequence might be if it isn't followed, e.g. under no circumstances should the rabbits be allowed out of their cage as the neighbour's cats have attacked them in the past.

  5. Let the person know how to contact you with further questions if they need to.

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Download
Worksheet95.26 KB

Language level

Average: 3.8 (5 votes)
Do you need to improve your English writing skills?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English writing skills with our live online classes and personal tutoring courses.
Profile picture for user tomatoes_and_lettuce

Submitted by tomatoes_and_lettuce on Mon, 22/04/2024 - 12:44

Permalink

Dear Olivia,

Thank you for looking after our house while we are gone! I’m sorry I can’t tell you in person-we have hardly any time this Saturday! Anyways, here’s what you need to do while we are away:

  • Please open the windows every morning- its going to get uncomfortably damp inside if you don’t!
  • The cat needs to be fed. You will find 3 bags of cat food in the pantry- choose the chicken and avocado flavored bag please, its her favourite.
  • Would you mind watering the roses? They are in the back yard, beneath the lilies in the greenhouse.The other plants don’t need watering-they have instant watering systems.Unfortunately, we can’t afford them for the roses,so that’s that.
  • Please, please, please don’t let the cat out until we’re back. She visciously attacks the neighbour’s bunnies.
  • If the garbage dump downtown’s smell is bothering you leave out some candles- they are in the first cupboard from left to right in the pantry.

That’s it! Help yourself to anything in the fridge or cupboards. Feel free to use the laptops or watch TV. Let me know if you have any problems. 

I’ll hand you the keys when we meet at our workplace tommorow.

Thanks again,

                        Elena

Submitted by Ensiye on Sat, 30/09/2023 - 20:12

Permalink

Hi mary
Thank you very much indeed for your help. I have sent a list of things to do so you don't forget anything.

1- could you water the plants and flowerpots every other day

2- If you use the back door of the building, Don't forget to check it at night as it won't close properly (Important).

3-Would you mind opening the upstairs windows in the morning in order that the air isn't stuffy?

4-help yourself with anything in the fridge and cupboards.

Feel free to call or text If needed.
I will let you know before I move toward the house next week so we can set the time to hand over the keys.
Thank you
Ensiye

Submitted by edgarmarques on Sun, 10/09/2023 - 18:30

Permalink

Hi Gabriela. I hope this e-mail finds you well
Thank you for accep take care of my house while our trip.

- Could you please water my plants
- When you arrive in the Building, don’t forget asking the apartment Keys for Reginaldo.
- Importante: in any case let the dog scape from the apartment and he needs eating Only once, at noon.

That is it. If you have questions or problems, please let me know. You can text ou call me anytime.

Thank you

Submitted by Anamyszka on Mon, 04/09/2023 - 08:13

Permalink

What to do while we're away.
Hi V. thank you so much for taking care of our space while we're away.
1. The bunny needs feeding twice a day and he should have acces to his hay at all times.
2. Feel free to water the plants on the weekend, however they should survive for a day or two until we get back.
3. Could you please dust the surfaces? We're reconstructing and the place can get dusty quickly.
Help yourself to any snacks and food you'd like.
Thank you for the help. See you on Thursday.

Submitted by Sanja on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 07:48

Permalink

Hi, Sladja,
Thank you so much for offering house sit for us next months. I am so sorry we won't have a time to see each other before our trip. Anyway, here are some instructions:
1.Don't forget to lock the door
2. The cats need feeding once a day and under no circumstances should not they be allowed to come into the house because they have made big mess in the past .
3. Please, water the plants.
4. Would you mind to check our mail box and text me if there is something important?
3. Please can you check how my father is and does he need something.
Feel free to call or text me if you have any questions.
Thank you so much again!

Sanja

Submitted by mehdi-sepahi on Sun, 21/08/2022 - 15:00

Permalink

Don’t forget to feed the bird.
Never open the cage because it may fly away.
Please check the air conditioner drain daily.
If you have any problems/questions please send me a msg on WhatsApp.
Don’t let other people enter the house.
Feel free to use our account for using restaurant.

Submitted by Rita25 on Mon, 11/07/2022 - 13:17

Permalink

If I would be away for a while, I would ask a house sitter to look after my flat to ensure no one breaks into and steal valuable items, water the plants and feed the fishes once a day, I would tell her to help herself and feel at home, I would make sure to leave contact number and email,.

Submitted by Abrarhussain on Sat, 19/02/2022 - 23:53

Permalink

I would tell a house sitter to look after my cat and not open the main door. Feed the cat twice a day. Clean the rooms, kitchen and bath room. Feel free to take food from the fridge. Any problem contact me any time.

Submitted by prog10999 on Mon, 24/01/2022 - 03:22

Permalink

Hi, Anh
Thank you for renting the house while we're away next week. It makes us comfortable when enjoying the trip. Anyway, here's everything I won't have time to tell you on Saturday morning.
1. The address of the house is 633 HB. When you get there, press the second knot to open the door.
2. There's no parking car near there, so you can take a taxi to get to the house.
3. Don't forget to feed the dog. The dog's food is next to the television table.
4. Please water the plants twice a week.
That's about it. You'll find everything you need in the house, and help yourself to relax after rush hours. Feel free to call or text if you have any questions.

Submitted by Suraj paliwal on Tue, 09/11/2021 - 17:43

Permalink

If I go to out Then I will told House sitter to do certain things.
Don't forget to feed my cows twice a day.
Use kitchen if you feel hungry. In my table box you will see some money spend it if you need anything.
Use my clothes and wear it then don't forget to wash it
Please don't anyone come to my room it's private.