Email is a message that is sent from one person to another using the computer or cell phone system, and it is commonly used in business.
Beginning:
☆If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, start business emails with either of the following: dear sir/ dear madam.
☆ It is not usual to start an e-mail with “To whom it may concern.” This should be reserved for letters of reference or similar communications when the recipient is an unknown third part
☆It is always better to use somebody’s name if you know it. If it is the first time you are writing to someone, use either of the following: For men: Dear Mr.xxxx, For women: Dear Ms. xxxx.
☆ Once you get to know someone, i.e. after exchanging one or two e-mails or if you meet them in person, it is usually OK to use his/her first name.
☆ Use Dear Sirs, if you are writing to more than one person even if the group of people includes women. (“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen” is wrong. “Ladies and Gentleman” is only used in formal speech.)
☆ The word “Dear” may be omitted in less formal e-mails. Instead,you may just open with the person's first name/people’s first names.
Here are some opening sentences for e-mails:
I hope you are well.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday and are finding it easy to settle back into work.
Thank you very much for your e-mail. I am glad to hear that you and your family are well.
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I apologize for not replying sooner, but I have been very busy these last few weeks.
Thank you for getting in touch with us about x xxx.
Thank you for contacting us regarding xxxx.
With reference to your e-mail of [date], I would like to bring the following to your attention.
As a follow-up to our phone call this morning, I would like to summarise the key issues Phrases best avoided:
I hope this e-mail finds you well.
Please be advised as follows.
This e-mail concerns...
Sample1
To: |
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From: |
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CC: |
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Subject: | Arrangement for a new employee
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A new employee will join our company recently. Please prepare a desk and a chair for him. Thanks!
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从上面的实例中可以看出e-mail的格式主要包括4项:
To:这个 e-mail 发给谁，通常是接收者者的电子邮件信箱。
From:这个 e-mail 是谁发的，通常是发发送者的电子邮件信箱。
CC: carbon copy的缩写，原意是用复写纸预写副本，在e-mail 中为“抄送”之意，即同时可把此邮件发给其他人，有时也可写成copy to:。
Subject:主题，也就是这封 e-mail 的主主要内容是什么。
另外从语言上看，这封 e-mail 在语气上有很强的口语化痕迹，这点与 note 有相同之处。但 e-mail 语气的正式程度也要视发送看者和接收者之间的关系而定。某些情况下如果用e-mail的方式发送信件/行文需要很正式。
Writing Practice
You want to meet your sales manager this week, please write an e-mail to him saying:
-When you would like to meet him.
- Why you would like to meet him.
- Where you can meet him.
