English grammar
A formal email: Dear…, I am writing to…, I would be grateful if…, Yours sincerely
Write a short formal email asking for something politely.
From the scene Dear Don Ramón
In short
A formal email opens Dear…, says I am writing to…, asks I would be grateful if…, and closes Yours sincerely.
Your turn
Which one goes with saying why you're writing?
Options: I am writing to inform you of a problem · Dear Don Ramón, · I would be grateful if you would send a technician
Show answer
saying why you're writing → I am writing to inform you of a problem
How it works
A formal email opens with Dear + name, then says why you're writing: I am writing to + verb.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
'I would be grateful if you (blank) send a technician soon.'
Clue: formal request
Options: would · will · sending
Show answer
'I would be grateful if you would send a technician soon.'
'Le agradecería que enviara a un técnico pronto.'
Good to know
Make the request with I would be grateful if you would + verb (or if you could), and close with Yours sincerely and your name.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
With '(blank) sincerely' and my name. That's how a formal letter ends.
Options: Yours · Your · You
Show answer
With 'Yours sincerely' and my name. That's how a formal letter ends.
Con 'atentamente' y mi nombre. Así se termina una carta formal.
Good to know
No contractions in the email itself.
opening Dear Don Ramón,
saying why you're writing I am writing to inform you of a problem
Nuria
'Dear Don Ramón, I am writing to inform you of a problem.'
'Estimado Don Ramón, le escribo para informarle de un problema.'
Your turn
What fills the gap?
'Dear Don Ramón, (blank).'
Options: Yours sincerely, Nuria · I am writing to inform you of a problem · I would be grateful if you would send a technician
Show answer
Nuria
'Dear Don Ramón, I am writing to inform you of a problem.'
'Estimado Don Ramón, le escribo para informarle de un problema.'
asking politely I would be grateful if you would send a technician
closing Yours sincerely, Nuria
Your turn
What goes with Yours sincerely, Nuria?
Options: closing · opening · saying why you're writing
Show answer
Yours sincerely, Nuria → closing
Common mistake
Not was or is here. Since Monday, and still broken.
'The boiler has been broken since Monday.'
'La caldera está estropeada desde el lunes.'
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| opening | Dear Don Ramón, |
|---|---|
| saying why you're writing | I am writing to inform you of a problem |
| asking politely | I would be grateful if you would send a technician |
| closing | Yours sincerely, Nuria |
More lines from the story
- Nuria'The boiler has been broken since Monday.''La caldera está estropeada desde el lunes.'
- Nuria'I would be grateful if you would send a technician soon.''Le agradecería que enviara a un técnico pronto.'
- NuriaWith 'Yours sincerely' and my name. That's how a formal letter ends.Con 'atentamente' y mi nombre. Así se termina una carta formal.
- JaviGood idea. We've had no hot water for three days.Buena idea. Hace tres días que no hay agua caliente.
- NuriaJavi, no hot water again. I'm going to write to Don Ramón.Javi, otra vez sin agua caliente. Voy a escribir a Don Ramón.