Business Email Phrases Exercises - Part 2
B1-B2 Level
English Exercises is teacher-led by Charlie. About the teacher · How content is made
Hedging is also important in B1-B2 business writing. Expressions like It seems that..., It might be worth..., and Perhaps we could... present ideas as possibilities rather than demands. This is useful when you are disagreeing, raising a problem, or suggesting a change to a client or senior colleague. Good follow-up language works in the same way: I was wondering if... and I just wanted to check... remind the reader without implying blame. The aim is clear, respectful communication that keeps the working relationship intact.
Quick Rule
acknowledgement + diplomatic phrase + decision/reason | hedge + suggestion | follow-up phrase + request
- 1.I am afraid we cannot approve the discount at this stage.
- 2.While we have considered your request carefully, we are not able to make an exception.
- 3.It might be worth revisiting the timeline before we finalise the contract.
- 4.Perhaps we could arrange a short call to discuss the remaining concerns.
- 5.I was wondering if you have had a chance to review the proposal.
All 20 questions
Complete the business email phrases. Write the missing word(s) in each gap. Think about the situation — is the writer declining a request, delivering bad news, or softening their message?
Thank you for your invitation. I'm _____ I won't be able to attend the conference this year.
Complete the polite decline.
_____, we are unable to offer a refund at this stage as the order has already been processed.
Complete the refusal phrase.
I _____ to inform you that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Complete the formal decline.
While I appreciate your offer, I'm afraid this falls _____ the scope of what our team can support right now.
Complete the polite decline.
Thank you for thinking of us. _____, we are not in a position to take on new projects until Q3.
Complete the respectful decline.
We _____ to advise you that there will be a delay of two weeks in your delivery.
Complete the bad news opening.
I'm _____ to say that we have had to cancel the product launch due to supply issues.
Complete the phrase for delivering bad news.
I was _____ if you had a chance to review the proposal I sent last Monday.
Complete the follow-up phrase.
I just wanted to _____ if you have had time to consider our offer.
Complete the gentle follow-up.
I'm _____ out to see whether you need any further information from our side.
Complete the follow-up phrase.
I understand you are likely very busy, so please do _____ back to me at your convenience.
Complete the non-pushy follow-up.
It _____ that there may have been a miscommunication about the meeting time.
Complete the hedging phrase.
It _____ be worth revisiting the timeline before we finalise the contract.
Complete the hedging suggestion.
_____ we could arrange a call to discuss the details before making a final decision?
Complete the diplomatic suggestion.
Thank you for _____ this to my attention. I will look into the matter right away.
Complete the acknowledgement phrase.
I fully _____ your concern about the delay and I want to assure you we are working on a solution.
Complete the empathetic response.
Thank you for your _____ feedback on the draft. We have taken your comments on board.
Complete the acknowledgement and response.
While we have _____ your request carefully, we are not able to make an exception in this case.
Complete the diplomatic bad news phrase.
I'm afraid we cannot meet that deadline. _____, we could have everything ready by the 20th.
Complete the professional decline with an alternative.
We hope this decision does not _____ any inconvenience and thank you for your continued partnership.
Complete the closing phrase after delivering bad news.
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