In many professional settings, your email is the first impression others will have of you. Clear and professional communication is key whether you’re writing to a client, a colleague, or a manager. Yet, many non-native English speakers (and even some native ones!) make avoidable mistakes that can undermine their professionalism. Here are three of the most common business English email mistakes – and how to avoid them.

1. Using an Overly Casual Tone

It’s tempting to write emails in the same way you speak, especially if you’re comfortable with the recipient. However, business emails should maintain a polite and professional tone. Casual phrases like “Hey there”, “What’s up?”, or “Cheers, mate” might be acceptable with friends, but not in formal or semi-formal work settings.

✅ Instead, use:

• Dear [Name] or Hi [Name] (for a friendly but professional tone)
• Kind regards or Best regards to sign off

📌 Tip: Match your tone to the relationship and context, if unsure, lean more formal.

2. Translating Directly from Your First Language

Direct translation often leads to awkward or incorrect expressions. For example, it’s common to write “I wait for your answer,” in some languages, but in English, this sounds unnatural.

✅ Instead, say:

• I look forward to your reply
• Please let me know if you have any questions

📌 Tip: Use English business expressions and collocations native speakers use – they can make you sound more fluent and professional.

3. Not Checking Grammar and Spelling

Even small mistakes can create a negative impression. A missing article, wrong verb tense, or simple typo can distract the reader or change the meaning. For example, “I am interesting in your offer” instead of “I am interested in your offer.”

✅ How to avoid this:

• Use spell check and grammar tools (like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor)
• Read your email aloud before sending
• If possible, ask someone to proofread important emails

📌 Tip: Note your common mistakes in your language journal and check for them before sending emails.

Final Thoughts

Writing effective business emails in English doesn’t require perfection – just clarity, professionalism, and attention to detail. By avoiding these three common mistakes, you’ll make a better impression, communicate more clearly, and grow your confidence in international settings.

Need help improving your Business English writing? Contact me for tailored lessons that fit your work and communication goals.

Exercise: Write a Business Email

Now it’s your turn! We’d like you to put your new knowledge into practice. Write a business email on the following topic:

“You’re writing to a colleague to request a meeting to discuss an upcoming project. Be polite, clear, and professional.”

Once you’ve written your email, send it to us at [your email address]. We’ll review it and send you a personalised reply with corrections and suggestions for improvement.

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How to Structure Your Email:

• Greeting: Start with a polite salutation (e.g. Dear [Name] or Hi [Name]).
• Introduction: State the purpose of your email.
• Body: Make your request clear, keeping your language professional and concise.
• Closing: End with a courteous closing statement, such as I look forward to hearing from you or Kind regards.

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Why This Helps:

By sending us your email, you’ll get direct, actionable feedback to help you improve your business email skills. We will:

• Check your grammar, spelling, and tone.
• Ensure your message is clear and professional.
• Provide suggestions on how to make your email even more effective.

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Feedback Process:

Once you send us your email, we’ll review it within 2–3 business days. We’ll reply with:

• A marked-up version of your email with corrections.
• Specific tips on improving your writing.
• Additional resources if needed to help you improve your business communication.

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Ready to get started?
Send your email to learn@letstalk.africa today!

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This blog post gives you a snapshot of the strategies you can use, but for a detailed, structured approach, download the full guide here:

With the right strategies, you can take your vocabulary to the next level and speak with confidence. Happy learning!

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