Emailing - Informal or error simplest responses game
A LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Idiomatic emailing language and common mistakes with emailing presentation through a fun quick reactions game
Lesson Plan Content:
Emailing - Informal or error simplest responses game
Without looking below, listen to your teacher say two similar phrases and try to work out which is not used in emails (because it’s a strange combination of words, because it’s a grammar mistake, etc) and hold up a card or say A or B to show which one you think is wrong. The other one is common in informal emails, so if you think about what is a usual way of being casual/ friendly, then you can choose the other one as the mistake. Also, if one seems formal, then it is probably the one with a mistake. There is always one wrong sentence and one correct informal one in each pair, so you can raise either A or B each time.
Cross out the error and circle the informal phrase in each pair of phrases below.
Cards to hold up
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Language to classify as informal or wrong
Starting emails informal or error
Opening greetings
Opening greetings to one person
A: Hi John
B: To John
A: Hello again
B: Hi again
Opening greetings to more than one person
A: Hi all
B: Hi everyone
A: Dear guys
B: Hi guys
Opening lines
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
A: Thank for your email.
B: Thanks for your mail.
A: Thanks for your emailing.
B: Was so nice to hear from you.
A: Thanks for your quickly reply.
B: Wow! That was quick!
A: Thanks for lending me a hand with the residents’ meeting.
B: Thank you for your support always.
A: It was lovely to see you again last night.
B: Thank you for agree to meet with me last week.
A: Just have your mail.
B: Just got your mail.
A: Sorry for late reply.
B: Sorry it’s been so long since I was last in touch.
A: Long time no see!
B: Long time we no see!
A: Sorry, guess you’re really busy at the mo’, but…
B: Sorry to bother you.
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
A: Just a quick note to say that…
B: Just few words about…
A: I write to you concerning…
B: Writing about…
A: Sorry to so soon write again, but…
B: Sorry to write out of the blue, but…
A: Sorry, another email yet about…
B: Sorry, yet another email about…
A: I don’t have long for writing, but I thought I should inform you that…
B: Got to go into a meeting in a sec’, but thought you should know that…
A: Not rush on this, but…
B: Not sure if I’ve got the right person, but…
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
A: How’s going?
B: How’s it going?
A: How’re you doing?
B: How’s it doing?
A: Good weekend?
B: How’s your weekend?
A: Hope you’ve recovered from your hangover!
B: I hope you’d recovered from your hangover.
A: I just hear about the tsunami over there. Are you OK?
B: Just heard about the tsunami over there. You OK?
A: Congrats on your promotion!
B: I’d like to congratulations you on your promotion.
A: Been busy?
B: Have you busy?
Ending emails informal or error
Closing lines
Closing lines talking about the next contact between you
Closing lines when you need a reply
A: I’m looking forward to hear from you.
B: Looking forward to hearing from you.
A: I look forward to hearing from you by Friday.
B: Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
A: Any more questions, just drop me a line.
B: If you need any more questions, please contact me.
A: If you need another information, please feel free to contact me.
B: If you need any more info, just let me know.
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
A: I expect to see you there.
B: Looking forward to seeing you there.
A: Can’t wait to see you then!
B: I’m waiting to see you then.
A: Keep in the contact.
B: Keep in touch!
A: Please write ASAP.
B: Write soon!
A: I hope we have chance to meet again soon.
B: Speak to you then.
Closing lines for (big) requests
A: Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.
B: Cheers.
A: Thank you in the advance.
B: Thanks.
Closing lines for instructions/ commands/ orders
A: Thank you for cooperating.
B: Thanks
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
A: Hope that’s OK.
B: Once again, please accept our apologise for any inconvenience caused.
A: Thank you for understanding.
B: Thanks for your patience.
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
A: Have a good one.
B: I hope you have good weekend.
A: Please give my best regard to Mr Smith.
B: Say “Hi” to John from me.
Other closing lines
A: Sound okay?
B: Thanks again for bringing this matter to attention.
Closing greetings
A: Best regard
B: All the best
A: Best wishes
B: Your sincerely
A: BW
B: YS
Name at the end of emails
A: Alex
B: Mr Alex Case
A: A.
B: Case
Body of the email informal or error
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
A: Here’s the info.
B: Please find the attached document.
A: Check out the first page for…
B: If you look at first page, you will see…
Requests
A: Can you give me a hand with…?
B: I would be very grateful if you could…?
A: You couldn’t do me a huge favour and…, could you?
B: Would you possibly help me with…?
Enquiries/ Asking for information
A: At first, I’d like to know…
B: You don’t happen to know…, do you?
Answering questions/ Giving information
A: Answers below.
B: Please find my below answers.
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
A: I’d like to meet at seven a.m. on Saturday if you are convenient.
B: Sorry, can’t make it Sat. How about Mon?
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
A: I would like to apologies for…
B: Soooo sorry about…
Giving bad news
A: Bad news, I’m afraid.
B: We regret informing you that…
Giving good news
A: Great news – …!
B: We are please to announce that…
Checking progress
A: Just wanted to check where you are with…
B: Please update me on…
Invitations
A: Going to… Do you fancy coming along?
B: Would you like to go out for dinner on this Wednesday?
Suggested answers
The correct informal one in each pair is underlined. Make sure that you know what makes that phrase informal and what makes the other phrase something we wouldn’t write.
Starting emails informal or error
Opening greetings
Opening greetings to one person
A: Hi John
B: To John
A: Hello again
B: Hi again
Opening greetings to more than one person
A: Hi all
B: Hi everyone
A: Dear guys
B: Hi guys
Opening lines
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
A: Thank for your email.
B: Thanks for your mail.
A: Thanks for your emailing.
B: Was so nice to hear from you.
A: Thanks for your quickly reply.
B: Wow! That was quick!
A: Thanks for lending me a hand with the residents’ meeting.
B: Thank you for your support always.
A: It was lovely to see you again last night.
B: Thank you for agree to meet with me last week.
A: Just have your mail.
B: Just got your mail.
A: Sorry for late reply.
B: Sorry it’s been so long since I was last in touch.
A: Long time no see!
B: Long time we no see!
A: Sorry, guess you’re really busy at the mo’, but…
B: Sorry to bother you.
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
A: Just a quick note to say that…
B: Just few words about…
A: I write to you concerning…
B: Writing about…
A: Sorry to so soon write again, but…
B: Sorry to write out of the blue, but…
A: Sorry, another email yet about…
B: Sorry, yet another email about…
A: I don’t have long for writing, but I thought I should inform you that…
B: Got to go into a meeting in a sec’, but thought you should know that…
A: Not rush on this, but…
B: Not sure if I’ve got the right person, but…
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
A: How’s going?
B: How’s it going?
A: How’re you doing?
B: How’s it doing?
A: Good weekend?
B: How’s your weekend?
A: Hope you’ve recovered from your hangover!
B: I hope you’d recovered from your hangover.
A: I just hear about the tsunami over there. Are you OK?
B: Just heard about the tsunami over there. You OK?
A: Congrats on your promotion!
B: I’d like to congratulations you on your promotion.
A: Been busy?
B: Have you busy?
Ending emails informal or error
Closing lines
Closing lines talking about the next contact between you
Closing lines when you need a reply
A: I’m looking forward to hear from you.
B: Looking forward to hearing from you.
A: I look forward to hearing from you by Friday.
B: Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
A: Any more questions, just drop me a line.
B: If you need any more questions, please contact me.
A: If you need another information, please feel free to contact me.
B: If you need any more info, just let me know.
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
A: I expect to see you there.
B: Looking forward to seeing you there.
A: Can’t wait to see you then!
B: I’m waiting to see you then.
A: Keep in the contact.
B: Keep in touch!
A: Please write ASAP.
B: Write soon!
A: I hope we have chance to meet again soon.
B: Speak to you then.
Closing lines for (big) requests
A: Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.
B: Cheers.
A: Thank you in the advance.
B: Thanks.
Closing lines for instructions/ commands/ orders
A: Thank you for cooperating.
B: Thanks
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
A: Hope that’s OK.
B: Once again, please accept our apologise for any inconvenience caused.
A: Thank you for understanding.
B: Thanks for your patience.
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
A: Have a good one.
B: I hope you have good weekend.
A: Please give my best regard to Mr Smith.
B: Say “Hi” to John from me.
Other closing lines
A: Sound okay?
B: Thanks again for bringing this matter to attention.
Closing greetings
A: Best regard
B: All the best
A: Best wishes
B: Your sincerely
A: BW
B: YS
Name at the end of emails
A: Alex
B: Mr Alex Case
A: A.
B: Case
Body of the email informal or error
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
A: Here’s the info.
B: Please find the attached document.
A: Check out the first page for…
B: If you look at first page, you will see…
Requests
A: Can you give me a hand with…?
B: I would be very grateful if you could…?
A: You couldn’t do me a huge favour and…, could you?
B: Would you possibly help me with…?
Enquiries/ Asking for information
A: At first, I’d like to know…
B: You don’t happen to know…, do you?
Answering questions/ Giving information
A: Answers below.
B: Please find my below answers.
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
A: I’d like to meet at seven a.m. on Saturday if you are convenient.
B: Sorry, can’t make it Sat. How about Mon?
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
A: I would like to apologies for…
B: Soooo sorry about…
Giving bad news
A: Bad news, I’m afraid.
B: We regret informing you that…
Giving good news
A: Great news – …!
B: We are please to announce that…
Checking progress
A: Just wanted to check where you are with…
B: Please update me on…
Invitations
A: Going to… Do you fancy coming along?
B: Would you like to go out for dinner on this Wednesday?
Error correction stage
Change each phrase below to make it correct. You usually only need to change one or two words, but a few need to be completely rewritten.
Opening greetings to one person
To John
Hi again
Opening greetings to more than one person
Hi all
Dear guys
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
Thank for your email.
Thanks for your quickly reply.
Thank you for agree to meet with me last week.
Just have your mail.
Sorry for late reply.
Long time we no see!
Sorry to bother you.
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
Just few words about…
I write to you concerning…
Sorry to so soon write again, but…
Sorry, another email yet about…
I don’t have long for writing, but I thought I should inform you that…
Not rush on this, but…
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
How’s going?
I hope you’d recovered from your hangover.
I just hear about the tsunami over there. Are you OK?
I’d like to congratulations you on your promotion.
Ending emails
Closing lines when you need a reply
I’m looking forward to hear from you.
I look forward to hearing from you by Friday.
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
If you need any more questions, please contact me.
If you need another information, please feel free to contact me.
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
I expect to see you there.
I’m waiting to see you then.
Keep in the contact.
Please write ASAP.
I hope we have chance to meet again soon.
Closing lines for (big) requests
Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you in the advance.
Closing lines for instructions/ commands/ orders
Thank you for cooperating.
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
Once again, please accept our apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for understanding.
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
I hope you have good weekend.
Please give my best regard to Mr Smith.
Other closing lines
Thanks again for bringing this matter to attention.
Closing greetings
Best regard
Your sincerely
Name at the end of emails
Mr Alex Case
Case
Body of the email
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
Please find the attached document.
If you look at first page, you will see…
Requests
I would be very grateful if you could…?
Would you possibly help me with…?
Enquiries/ Asking for information
At first, I’d like to know…
Answering questions/ Giving information
Please find my below answers.
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
I’d like to meet at seven a.m. on Saturday if you are convenient.
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
I would like to apologies for…
Giving bad news
We regret informing you that…
Giving good news
We are please to announce that…
Checking progress
Please update me on…
Invitations
Would you like to go out for dinner on this Wednesday?
Compare your corrections as a class or with the suggested answers below. Many different corrections are possible, so please check if you wrote something different.
Suggested corrections
Other corrections of the mistakes above are possible, so please check if you wrote something different.
Opening greetings to one person
Hi John
Hello again
Opening greetings to more than one person
Hi everyone/ Dear all
Hi guys
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
Thanks for your email./ Thank you for your email.
Thanks for your quick reply.
Thank you for agreeing to meet with me last week.
Just got your mail./ I just got your email.
Sorry for my late reply.
Long time no see!
Sorry, I’m sure you are very busy, but…
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
Just a few words about…
I’m writing to you concerning…
Sorry to write again so soon, but…
Sorry, yet another email about…
I don’t have long to write, but I thought I should inform you that…
No rush on this, but…
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
How’s it going?
I hope you’ve recovered from your hangover.
I just heard about the tsunami over there. Are you OK?
I’d like to congratulate you on your promotion.
Ending emails
Closing lines when you need a reply
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
If you have any more questions, please contact me.
If you need any more information, please feel free to contact me.
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
I look forward to seeing you there.
I’m looking forward to seeing you then./ Can’t wait to see you then.
Keep in touch.
I look forward to hearing from you soon./ Write soon!
I hope we have the chance to meet again soon.
Closing lines for (big) requests
Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Closing lines for instructions/ commands/ orders
Thank you for your cooperation.
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
Once again, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for your understanding.
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
I hope you have a good weekend.
Please give my best regards to Mr Smith.
Other closing lines
Thanks again for bringing this matter to my/ our attention.
Closing greetings
Best regards
Yours sincerely
Name at the end of emails
Alex Case/ Alex Case (Mr)
Alex
Body of the email
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
Please find the document attached.
If you look at the first page, you will see…
Requests
I would be very grateful if you could…
Could you possibly help me with…?
Enquiries/ Asking for information
First/ First of all/ Firstly, I’d like to know…
Answering questions/ Giving information
Please find my answers below.
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
I’d like to meet at seven a.m. on Saturday if you are available/ if that is convenient with you.
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
I would like to apologise/ apologize for…
Giving bad news
We regret to inform you that…
Giving good news
We are pleased to announce that…
Checking progress
Can you update me on…?
Invitations
Would you like to go out for dinner on Wednesday/ this Wednesday?
Formality transformations stage
The phrases below are all (a little or much) more formal than the correct informal versions above. Without looking above, try to make them more casual (without making them wrong).
Starting emails
Opening greetings
Opening greetings to one person
Dear John
Opening greetings to more than one person
Dear all
Opening lines
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
Thank you for your email.
Thanks for your quick reply.
Thanks for helping me with the residents’ meeting.
Sorry, I guess that you’re really busy at the moment, but…
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
This is just a quick note to say that…
I’m writing about…
Sorry, this is yet another email about…
I have to go into a meeting in a second, but I thought you should know that…
I’m not sure if I’ve got the right person, but…
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
How are you?
Did you have a good weekend?
I hope you’ve recovered from your hangover.
I just heard about the tsunami over there. Are you OK?
Congratulations on your promotion!
Have you been busy?
Ending emails
Closing lines
Closing lines talking about the next contact between you
Closing lines when you need a reply
I’m looking forward to hearing from you (soon).
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
If you have any more questions, just drop me a line.
If you need any more information, please let me know.
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
I can’t wait to see you then!
Closing lines for (big) requests
Thanks
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
I hope that’s OK with you.
Thank you for your patience.
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
Have a good weekend.
Give my best regards to John.
Other closing lines
Does that sound okay?
Closing greetings
All the best
Name at the end of emails
Alex Case
Body of the email
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
I’ve attached the information.
Look at the first page for…
Requests
Can you help me with…?
Could you do me a huge favour and…,?
Enquiries/ Asking for information
Do you know…?
Answering questions/ Giving information
My answers are below.
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
Sorry, I can’t make it on Saturday. How about Monday?
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
I’m so sorry about…
Giving bad news
There is some bad news, I’m afraid.
Checking progress
I just wanted to check your progress with…
Invitations
We are going to… Would you like to come along?
Check with the worksheets above. Many other correct informal versions are possible, so please check if you wrote something different.
Test each other on the phrases:
- Play the same finding which of the two phrases is wrong activity
- Say the wrong phrase and see if your partner can say a better version
- Say a more formal (but correct) version and see if your partner can make it more informal
- Say one of the informal phrases and see if your partner can make it more formal (with a little more formal or much more formal both okay)
- Say a correct informal phrase with a missing word for your partner to complete
- Say one of the headings above and help your partner make correct (formal and/ or informal) phrases
Brainstorming stage
Brainstorm suitable phrases into the categories below, check above, and brainstorm more..
Starting emails
Opening greetings
Opening greetings to one person
Opening greetings to more than one person
Opening lines
Opening lines mentioning the last contact between you
Opening lines with the subject of the email/ reason for writing
Social opening lines/ Friendly opening lines
Ending emails
Closing lines
Closing lines talking about the next contact between you
Closing lines when you need a reply
Closing lines offering more communication/ help (if needed)
Other closing lines mentioning the next contact between you
Closing lines for (big) requests
Closing lines with apologies/ Closing lines when responding to complaints
Social closing lines/ Friendly closing lines
Other closing lines
Closing greetings
Name at the end of emails
Body of the email
Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)
Requests
Enquiries/ Asking for information
Answering questions/ Giving information
Making arrangements/ Changing arrangements/ (Re) scheduling
Apologising/ Responding to complaints
Giving bad news
Checking progress
Invitations
Compare your extra ideas as a class and/ or with a big list of emailing phrases.
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