Common Mistakes in Emails-1

http://www.businessenglishresources.com/common-mistakes-in-emails/

Read the email excerpts below. Each excerpt has at least two common mistakes that English
language learners make when writing emails. Identify and correct the mistakes. The answers are
listed after the activity.

Correct the Mistakes

1. I would like to remember everyone that Mr. Lewis, a prospective client, will be visiting the office
next Tuesday. He’ll be in the office since 9 a.m. until about noon. I will appreciate it if everyone could
dress in business professional attire during his visit. We want to make sure everyone make a good
impression.

2. I called to Sandra’s office and talked to her secretary. She said me that Sandra wasn’t in the office,
but that she would be back at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Do you wish me to call her again this afternoon
to discuss about the new proposal?

3. Thanks for inviting me to the event. Would you mind to send me the address so I can get
directions? Thanks – I’m looking forward to see you.

4. Thanks for send me the potential travel itineraries. It doesn’t mind to me which flight I take.
Regards hotels, let’s choose the hotel in the city center. I’ll like to be close to where the convention is
being held.

5. I am writing regarding to order number CS4789. It seems that the amount due is unusual high.
Please see the attach copy of the invoice. Could you please to review it and ensure the amount is
correct?

6. Have everyone had the chance to review all the informations in the employee handbook? If you
need anything clarified, please contact to your manager.

7. I’ve been working like a freelance software developer since the last few years. After be self-
employed for many years, I am very interesting in finding a full-time position with your company.

8. We are pleased to inform that we have started making business with a new client. Starting on
February, we’ll be handling customer service calls for a cable company in United States. We’re very
pleased that our company is continuing to grow up.

9. Do you think you would send me some information about shipping options? I’m wondering how can
we insure the products arrive soon. We need these items until the end of the month at the latest.

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10. Jerry, I’m forwarding you a question from one of our customer. Could you respond him as soon as
possible?

11. After careful reviewing your application, we regret informing you that you have not been selected
for the position. We thank you for your interest in our company, and we wish you the better of luck
with your search.

12. I’m not pretty sure I can end this project by the end of the day. I’d appreciate it if you can help me
later this afternoon.

13. Farther to our discussion, we’ll be offering full-time positions to our interns. Could we plan to meet
in Friday to discuss compensation packages?

14. Regard our year-end celebration, I’m agree that we should hold the event in the city. If I’m not
wrong, I think many people complained last year about having to drive so far to the event.

Common Mistakes in Emails - 2

Read the email excerpts below. Each excerpt has one or more mistakes that English language
learners make when writing emails. Identify and correct the mistakes. The answers are listed after the
activity.

Correct the Mistakes

1. I want to inform that our offices will be closed next Thursday in celebration of a national holiday. If
you have any question, please let me know.

2. On the behalf of MegaCorp Enterprises, we’d like to welcome you to our team. We hope this is the
start of a long-term relation.

3. I have been a satisfied customer since three years. However, I’m writing to express my
dissatisfaction for the order we made on March 6.

4. I talked to Stan about the sales quote. He mentioned about wanting a better discount or free
shipping on his order. I think we should give him a better discount. Even though we lower the price by
another 10%, we’ll still be making a significant profit.

5. Could you please confirm us your participation to the event? We hope to have a list of all the
participants during next week at the latest.

6. Please let me to know if you have any questions about the documentations I provided.

7. Rather offering the candidate more money, could we offer her more vacation days?

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8. If you have questions, please call me at the office next week. I would be in the office within normal
business hours.

9. I am writing in regards the position of Senior Java Developer. I have a lot of experiences with this
technology and feel I would be a good fit for the position.

10. I apologize for not responding your mail sooner. I was attending customers all morning and didn’t
have time.

11. Thank you for bringing this to my notice. I hope we can quickly solve this issue.

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.

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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.

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Answers - 1
1. I would like to remember remind everyone that Mr. Lewis, a prospective client, will be visiting the
office next Tuesday. He’ll be in the office since from 9 a.m. until about noon. I will would
(I’d) appreciate it if everyone could dress in business professional attire during his visit. We want to
make sure everyone makes a good impression.

2. I called to Sandra’s office and talked to her secretary. She said told me (or said (that)…) that
Sandra wasn’t in the office, but that she would be back at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Do
you wish want me to call her again this afternoon to discuss about the new proposal?

3. Thanks for inviting me to the event. Would you mind to send sending me the address so I can get
directions? Thanks – I’m looking forward to seeing you.

4. Thanks for sending me the potential travel itineraries. It doesn’t mind matter to me which flight I
take (or I don’t mind which flight I take). Regards Regarding hotels, let’s choose the hotel in the
city center. I’ll I’d (I would) like to be close to where the convention is being held.

5. I am writing regarding to order number CS4789. It seems that the amount due is unusually high.
Please see the attached copy of the invoice. Could you please to review it and ensure the amount is
correct?

6. Have Has everyone had the chance to review all the informations in the employee handbook? If
you need anything clarified, please contact to your manager.

7. I’ve been working like as a freelance software developer since for the last few years. After
being self-employed for many years, I am very interesting interested in finding a full-time position
with your company.

8. We are pleased to inform you (or We are pleased to announce) that we have
started making doing business with a new client. Starting on in February, we’ll be handling customer
service calls for a cable company in the United States. We’re very pleased that our company is
continuing to grow up.

9. Do you think you would could send me some information about shipping options? I’m wondering
how can we we can insure ensure the products arrive soon. We need these items until by the end
of the month at the latest.

10. Jerry, I’m forwarding you a question from one of our customers. Could you respond answer him
(or respond to him) as soon as possible?

11. After carefully reviewing your application, we regret informing to inform you that you have not
been selected for the position. We thank you for your interest in our company, and we wish you
the better best of luck with your search.
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12. I’m not pretty sure I can end finish this project by the end of the day. I’d appreciate it if
you can could help me later this afternoon.

13. Farther Further to our discussion, we’ll be offering full-time positions to our interns. Could we
plan to meet in on Friday to discuss compensation packages?

14. Regarding our year-end celebration, I’m I agree that we should hold the event in the city. If I’m
not wrong mistaken, I think many people complained last year about having to drive so far to the
event.

Answers - 2
1. I want to inform you that our offices will be closed next Thursday in celebration of a national
holiday. If you have any questions, please let me know.

2. On the behalf of MegaCorp Enterprises, we’d like to welcome you to our team. We hope this is the
start of a long-term relationship.

3. I have been a satisfied customer since for three years. However, I’m writing to express my
dissatisfaction for with the order we made placed on March 6.

4. I talked to Stan about the sales quote. He mentioned about wanting a better discount or free
shipping on his order. I think we should give him a better discount. Even though if we lower the price
by another 10%, we’ll still be making a significant profit.

5. Could you please confirm us your participation to the event? We hope to have a list of all the
participants during by next week at the latest.

6. Please let me to know if you have any questions about the documentations I provided.

7. Rather than (or Instead of) offering the candidate more money, could we offer her more vacation
days?

8. If you have questions, please call me at the office next week. I would will (I’ll) be in the
office within during normal business hours.

9. I am writing in regards regarding (or in regard to) the position of Senior Java Developer. I have a
lot of experiences with this technology and feel I would be a good fit for the position.

10. I apologize for not responding to your email sooner. I

was attending assisting/helping/taking care of/attending to customers all morning and didn’t have
time.

11. Thank you for bringing this to my notice attention. I hope we can quickly resolve this issue.

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Answers - Collocations
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.

7
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.