Spanish grammar
A formal email
Write a short formal email, requesting something politely.
From the scene Estimado Don Ramón (Dear Don Ramón)
In short
In a formal email, open with Estimado / a, ask with le agradecería que + imperfect subjunctive, close with atentamente.
Your turn
Which one goes with I am writing to you to...?
Options: Estimado/a... · le agradecería que + imperfect subjunctive · le escribo para...
Show answer
I am writing to you to... → le escribo para...
How it works
A formal email opens with Estimado/a and le escribo para... (I am writing to you to...), makes the request with le agradecería que + imperfect subjunctive (I would be grateful if you would...), and closes with atentamente.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
'Le agradecería que (blank) a un técnico pronto.'
Clue: imperfect subjunctive after 'le agradecería que'
Options: enviara · envía · enviará
Show answer
'Le agradecería que enviara a un técnico pronto.'
'I would be grateful if you would send a technician soon.'
Dear... (formal) Estimado/a...
I am writing to you to... le escribo para...
Nuria
'Estimado Don Ramón, le escribo para informarle de un problema.'
'Dear Don Ramón, I am writing to inform you of a problem.'
Your turn
What fills the gap?
'Estimado Don Ramón, (blank) informarle de un problema.'
Options: le agradecería que · atentamente · le escribo para
Show answer
Nuria
'Estimado Don Ramón, le escribo para informarle de un problema.'
'Dear Don Ramón, I am writing to inform you of a problem.'
I would be grateful if you would... le agradecería que + imperfect subjunctive
Yours sincerely atentamente
Your turn
What goes with atentamente?
Options: Dear... (formal) · I am writing to you to... · Yours sincerely
Show answer
atentamente → Yours sincerely
Common mistake
Not estuvo or estaba here. Still broken now.
'La caldera está estropeada desde el lunes.'
'The boiler has been broken since Monday.'
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Buena idea. Hace tres días que no (blank) agua caliente.
Options: había · habrá · hay
Show answer
Buena idea. Hace tres días que no hay agua caliente.
Good idea. It has been three days without hot water.
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
| Dear... (formal) | Estimado/a... |
|---|---|
| I am writing to you to... | le escribo para... |
| I would be grateful if you would... | le agradecería que + imperfect subjunctive |
| Yours sincerely | atentamente |
More lines from the story
- Nuria'La caldera está estropeada desde el lunes.''The boiler has been broken since Monday.'
- Nuria'Le agradecería que enviara a un técnico pronto.''I would be grateful if you would send a technician soon.'
- JaviBuena idea. Hace tres días que no hay agua caliente.Good idea. It has been three days without hot water.
- NuriaCon 'atentamente' y mi nombre. Así se termina una carta formal.With 'sincerely' and my name. That's how a formal letter ends.
- JaviY ahora, ¿qué le pides?And now, what are you asking him?