Phrase bank + exercises

Business Email Writing

Stop agonising over every word. Master the phrases that make you sound professional.

Professionals spend an average of 28% of their working day on email (McKinsey Global Institute). The right phrases make every message faster and more effective.

41+ phrases2 exercises40 questions

What Are the Best Business Email Phrases in English?

Professional email writing relies on fixed phrases that signal the right level of formality. Native speakers use these phrases automatically — opening with “I am writing to inform you” rather than “I want to tell you.” Learning these set phrases is the fastest way to write confident, professional emails in English.

8 function groups, 41 ready-to-use phrases. Each phrase shows its register — Formal, Neutral, or Informal — plus an example in context.

Register:FormalNeutralInformal

Tip: Register matters more than grammar in professional emails. Using an informal phrase in a formal context (or vice versa) sends the wrong signal — even if every word is technically correct. When in doubt, choose Neutral.

Practice Exercises

Reading phrases is not the same as knowing them. These gap-fill exercises train you to recall the right phrase under pressure.

Business Email Phrases — Part 1

Easy

Gap-fill exercises for formal openings, closings, and requests. Master the core phrases.

20 questions12 min

Business Email Phrases — Part 2

Medium

Follow-ups, bad news, declining, and hedging language. For B2-C1 learners.

20 questions15 min
Not your typical exercises

Games

Interactive games that make you feel the pressure of real email situations — without the consequences of getting it wrong.

Tone Thermometer

Drag a slider to find the perfect email tone — from hostile to doormat. Where's the professional sweet spot?

Slider-based register calibration

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a formal email in English?

Start a formal email with a greeting like 'Dear Mr/Ms [Name]' followed by a purpose statement. Common openings include 'I am writing to inquire about...', 'I am writing with regard to...', or 'Further to our conversation...'. Choose your opening based on whether you are making a request, following up, or introducing a new topic. Avoid starting with 'I want' — it sounds too direct in professional contexts.

What is the difference between formal and informal email in English?

Formal emails use full sentences, indirect language, and professional closings like 'Kind regards'. Informal emails use contractions, shorter sentences, and casual closings like 'Cheers' or 'Thanks'. The key difference is register — formal emails hedge requests ('Would you be able to...') while informal emails are direct ('Can you...'). Most workplace emails fall somewhere in between, using neutral register.

How do you end a professional email in English?

End professional emails with a forward-looking statement and appropriate closing. Common options include 'I look forward to hearing from you' (formal), 'Let me know if you have any questions' (neutral), and 'Thanks in advance' (semi-formal). Follow with 'Kind regards', 'Best regards', or simply 'Best'. Avoid 'Yours faithfully' unless writing to someone you have never met.