🎯 B2
⏱️ 5 min
💬 The email that cost me a meeting: Early in my career I wrote an email starting “Hey, just wanted to check in…” to the CEO of a hotel group I was trying to work with. No reply. Ever. Formality in email is not optional — it is the first impression.
How to Write a Formal Email in English
Subject: Application for Marketing Manager Position — Ref: MM2026
Dear Mr / Ms [Surname],
I am writing to [state your purpose clearly]. [Keep sentence 1 specific and direct.]
[Main body: 1–2 paragraphs. Evidence, context, request.]
I would be grateful if you could [specific request or action].
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.
Yours sincerely, (if you used a name)
Yours faithfully, (if you wrote Dear Sir/Madam)
[Your full name]
[Title / Organisation]
✅ Formal phrases
- I am writing to enquire about…
- With reference to your email of…
- I would appreciate it if…
- Please find attached…
- I look forward to hearing from you.
❌ Avoid in formal emails
Hey / Hi there!Just wanted to…Gonna / wanna / ASAPCheers (very informal)No subject line
🎯 Quick Practice — Fix the Email Opening
Make this opening formal:
“Hey John! Just wanted to check — are you guys gonna have the report ready by Friday? We really need it ASAP. Cheers, Mike”
Sample Answer ▼
I am writing to enquire whether the report will be available by Friday. We would be grateful to receive it at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely, Michael [Surname]”
✅ Takeaway: Formal email = Dear [Surname] + clear purpose in line 1 + polite request + Yours sincerely/faithfully. No slang. No contractions. Subject line always.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
Leave a Reply