At work: requests & emails

English course · B1 · Intermediate · 6 short videos

Goal — I can make polite requests at work and write a simple work email.

Grammar — I was wondering if I could…, Could you…?, Would you mind + -ing?, email phrases

Words — minute, leave early, slides, by Thursday, attached, attachment, report, ASAP, deadline, look forward to

The videos of this unit

How to ask your boss for something.

Mia Tom, do you have a minute?

Tom Sure. What's up?

Mia I was wondering if I could leave early on Friday.

Tom Hmm. Could you finish the slides first?

Mia Of course. I'll send them by Thursday.

Tom Then that's fine.

Useful expression I was wondering if I could leave early on Friday. — A very polite way to ask your boss for something.

The most dangerous button: Send.

Ben Send!

Priya Ben… there's no attachment.

Ben Sorry, here it is!

Four letters you'll see in every office.

Word ASAP /ˌeɪ es eɪ ˈpiː/ — As soon as possible. Very quickly.

Stop ending your emails with “I wait your answer”.

Common mistake ~~I wait your answer.~~ → I look forward to hearing from you.

Why: “I wait your answer” is wrong and sounds rude. “Look forward to” + -ing is the polite way.

Money… or the sea?

Word cost /kɒst/ / coast /kəʊst/

Office quiz: 4 questions!