FORMAL

BUSINESS
ENGLISH

INAC HR T&D
WHY is it important
to learn Formal
Business English?
It helps you build a professional image
It helps you create a good first impression
It helps you write and speak clearly, and
get your ideas and message across to
people during formal situations
WHAT will you
learn today?
Useful written and spoken
1
2 expressions and vocabularies
 Useful expressions
The following are some guidelines to help you identify and use formal
email writing style.

When writing formal emails, do not use contractions, such as I’m, he’d,
you’ll, etc.
Formal: I am writing to ask if you have seen the news from Jo.
Semi-formal/Informal: I’m writing to ask if you’ve seen the news from Jo.
 Useful expressions
To make requests and give instructions, formal English frequently uses
modal verbs: would, could etc. However, note that modal verbs are also
used in this way in informal and semi-formal English.

Formal: Would you be able to deliver the report by tomorrow?

Semi-formal: Can you deliver the report by tomorrow?
 Useful expressions
In preference to asking a direct question, formal emails frequently use
indirect questions.
Formal: I wonder if you would like to join us for dinner on Tuesday.
Informal: Do you want to join us for dinner on Tuesday?

In addition to this, offers are often made using "would".

Formal: Would you like to see the new prototype?
Informal: Do you want to see the new prototype?
 Useful expressions
After the greeting, English emails normally begin with an opening
sentence. Common opening sentences for a formal email are as follows.
I hope that all is well with you.
I was just emailing to request some assistance. (The past tense
is frequently used to make a sentence more polite)
Thank you for your email of 12 March.
 Useful expressions
Formal and semi-formal emails are also often used between people who know each
other well when the writer is apologizing for a mistake. They are also used when a more
senior colleague is being copied into the correspondence. Here are some common
phrases used to start an apologizing email.

I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused. (formal)

I am writing in order to apologize for… (formal)
Please accept our apologies.
I am very sorry that… (formal/semi-formal)
 Useful expressions
Certain terms have a formal or informal equivalent. Try not to mix informal and
formal styles in the same email.
 Useful expressions
Certain terms have a formal or informal equivalent. Try not to mix informal and
formal styles in the same email.
 Useful expressions
Formal: I would like to discuss the project with you.
Informal: I want to talk to you about the project.

Formal: I will contact you shortly.

Informal: I’ll get in touch soon.

Formal: It is necessary to submit your application by June 30.

Informal: You need to send in your application by June 30.

Formal: We apologize for the delay.

Informal: Sorry it’s taking forever.
 Useful expressions
Formal: I assure you that I will resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Informal: I promise to fix the problem right away.

Formal: We would like to remind you that payment is due by Friday.

Informal: Don’t forget that you need to pay us by Friday.

Formal: In addition, please provide us with a list of your products.

Informal: Also, please give us a list of your products.

Formal: I look forward to seeing you.

Informal: See you later.
 Conversation example
Diana : Hello, my name is Diana.
Jane : Hello Diana, I’m Jane.
Diana: Nice to meet you Jane..
Jane: What do you do for work Diana?
Diana: I am an English Teacher and I help students learn English quickly, easily and without
overwhelm. How about you Jane? What do you do?
Jane: I am a Business consultant. I help businesses increase their profits by creating efficient
systems and processes.
Diana: Wow. That sounds interesting!
Jane: Where do you teach Diana?
Diana: I teach students online and my students are all over the world
 Conversation example
Jane: How long have you been doing that for?

Diana: I have been teaching for 3 years now. How about you? Where are you based?

Jane: I am from the United States. Currently I am living in Saigon, Vietnam. My clients are also based

all over the world. Most of them are in the United States.

Diana: Do you have a Business card? I’d like to contact you to help me with my business.

Jane: Sure! Let’s have a conversation and see if we can work together. Give me your card also. If any

of my clients are looking to improve their English I will send them your contact information.

Diana: I appreciate that very much Jane. It was great to meet you.

Jane: Likewise, I will send you an email so we can arrange a time to talk more.

Diana: Thank you. Take care.

 Learn More
If you want to learn more about this course, you may
check on the following sites:

www.espressoenglish.net/learn-more-formal-
business-english-phrases/

www.fluentu.com/blog/english/formal-english/
Informal and Formal Words
INFORMAL FORMAL INFORMAL FORMAL
Ask Enquire Set up Establish
Tell Inform Put off Postpone
But However Seem Appear
Get Receive Want Desire
Bad Negative Say no Reject
Seem Appear Sight Vision
Also Moreover Worse Inferior
Buy Purchase Dim Indistinct
Have to Must Shorten Decrease
End Finish Mainly Principally
Lack Deficiency Eager Avid
Live Reside Empty Vacant
Hurt Damage Clear Transparent
Put in Insert Mend Repair
Check Verify Anyway Nevertheless
Sorry Apologize Give Provide
Help Assist See Observe
Chance Opportunity Need Require
Use Utilize Idea Notion