A Guide to Business English: Emails, Grammar, and Vocabulary

Business English Essentials

Vocabulary Building

Acquire / Reject / Grow / Succeed / Benefit / Innovate / Flex / Operate / Profit / Increase / Fall / Install / Stress / Motivate / Create / Excite

Stressful / Lawyer / Responsibilities / Motivating / Employees / Illness / Communication / Training / Unnecessary / Recognize / Relationship (Relate) / Management / Performance

Grammar Practice

Modal Verbs and Expressions of Obligation

1. It’s not obligatory to wear a tie. You don't have to / needn't wear a tie. (Although, we could use "should").
2. This road is too bumpy. You shouldn't / mustn't drive so quickly.
3. Tomorrow is a holiday. We don't have to get up early in the morning.
4. You must drive on the right side of the road in England.
5. If you go sailing, you must / have to wear a lifejacket.

Correcting Common Mistakes

1. It is raining when I got home last night. It was raining when I got home last night.
2. I have not ate anything today. I have not eaten anything today.
3. My father is thinking that I should stop smoking. My father thinks that I should stop smoking.
4. I fell asleep while I watched TV. I fell asleep while I was watching TV.
5. I have lived in Canada since 10 months. I have lived in Canada for 10 months.
6. What time the soccer game starts? What time does the soccer game start?
7. Have you ever been to Spain? CORRECT

Mastering Email Communication

Subject Lines

• Information request: Solicitud de información
• Application for Marketing Assistant position – Pedro Pérez Resumé: Solicitud para la posición de Asistente de Marketing. Pedro Pérez CV
• Agenda for meeting Nov 10 at 10 am: Agenda para la reunión del 10 de noviembre a las 10 am
• Nov 10 meeting follow-up and next steps: Seguimiento y próximos pasos de la reunión del 10 de noviembre

Email Structure

2.1. Greeting

• Dear (Estimado o Estimada, también se utiliza en plural).
• Dear Mr. Smith or Mr. John Smith (for a man)
• Dear Mrs. Smith or Mrs. Jane Smith (for a married woman)
• Dear Miss Smith or Miss Jane Smith (for an unmarried woman)
• Dear Ms. Smith or Ms. Jane Smith (for a woman whose marital status is unknown, this is the most appropriate form of address)
• Dear Sirs (Estimados señores) - To address a group of unknown people or a department.
• Dear Sir or Madam (Estimado Señor o Estimada Señora).
• To whom it may concern (A quien pueda interesar)

2.2. Email Body

• I am writing in reference to…
• I would appreciate it if you could send me detailed information about…
• Would you please send me more information about…?
• I am interested in… and I would like to know…
• I am writing on behalf of Mr. Pedro Pérez regarding…

If you are attaching documentation:

• Attached please find the documents regarding…
• Please find enclosed the documents regarding… Adjunto encontrará los documentos respecto a…

2.3. Closing

• Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Gracias por su ayuda en este asunto.
• If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much, and I look forward to your answer.

To end, include one of the following closing phrases and your signature (name and surname, title or position, company name, etc.):

• Yours sincerely,
• Best, warm, or kind regards,