Do you know the most important part of your business email?
It might surprise you to hear that it’s not the opening!
Last impressions are extremely important.
The way you end an email is the last thing they will remember.
Listen in on today’s episode and learn what you shouldn’t say at the end of your business emails.
Business emails
Emails are important, especially in business.
It is essential that you know how to write an email and end it properly.
It is important that you know how to end them because it’s the last thing the recipient will remember.
In a formal setting, using appropriate language and tone matters.
Today’s question
This episode was inspired by a listener’s question from Tiktok.
She asked if it was okay to end a business email with ‘May you please respond.’
A lot of students and language learners are curious about this.
It is ungrammatical to say or write ‘May you.’
Today we’ll explain the grammar and alternatives to use instead.
Why not ‘May you?’
When we start a question with ‘May I’ we are asking permission.
However, if you say, ‘May you’ it doesn’t make sense.
We wouldn’t ask for permission from someone for their own action.
Therefore, we can’t use the word ‘may’ with the second person pronoun ‘you’ if making a request.
For this reason, make sure not to make the mistake of ending an email with ‘May you please respond.’
Ending business emails professionally
In a recent episode, we shared how to tell someone in an email that you need them to take immediate action.
Check out episode 1845: How to Show Urgency When You End Business Emails
In that episode, we focus on phrases for communicating urgency.
However, not every email needs urgent action.
You also need phrases to end a non-urgent email.
It’s important to know phrases that show respect for the recipient’s time.
Today we share ways to end less urgent business emails professionally.
#1: Could you please respond when you have a chance?
There are alternatives to the inappropriate ‘May you.’
These include ‘could you,’ ‘would you’ or ‘can you.’
Adding ‘when you have a chance’ shows you respect their time.
It indicates that what you need from them is not extremely urgent.
It’s not too pushy and has a very friendly and cooperative tone.
#2: Would you please get back to me ASAP?
This should be used sparingly.
It really depends on the urgency and importance of the email you sent.
When you say something needs to be done ASAP, you’re letting the recipient know that their response is critical.
If you use ‘ASAP’ with every email, your colleagues won’t know what is truly urgent.
#3: Can you please let me know right away?
This can be used when you need them to respond as soon as they can.
It is slightly more direct than ‘Could you please respond…’
There is a certain force in the tone when you use this at the end of your email.
It is not rude or intense but shows a bit more urgency.
Avoid ‘will you please’
This is not recommended as a phrase to use in your emails.
It is very forward and sounds very demanding.
It can make you sound rude and disrespectful.
Additionally, there are so many more respectful and appropriate phrases to use.
Instead, use one of the phrases we recommended today.
Informal options to use in business emails
The phrases shared previously are used for more formal emails.
You can use them when emailing clients, managers or employers.
You’ll also need phrases for more casual or informal emails.
You can use these when emailing a friend or co-worker.
Let me know
This is simple and easy.
It is less formal than writing, ‘Could you please let me know.’
This is an informal, shortened option.
In informal emails, we can drop words.
- “Let me know if any questions at all. Thanks.”
Here you can see ‘you have’ has been dropped.
This saves time and is perfect for creating a very informal tone.
This is appropriate if you have a close working relationship with the recipient.
They would easily understand what you’re saying since you know each other.
This has a very friendly and supportive tone.
Takeaway
You can be misunderstood in an email if you use the wrong words and tone.
Take note of the phrases shared in this episode and make sure you end your emails appropriately.
This will help you leave the right impression on the recipient of your emails.
You want to use the right grammar and vocabulary to make sure you leave a good impression.
Don’t just send out the email without considering the relationship and necessary tone.
Build the right connections and keep those connections strong in emails by using the proper phrases.
What else do you struggle with when sending emails?
Let us know in the comments below.
