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Formal vs Informal — Choosing the Right Register
10 min
A2
Free
The problem
French professional emails have one register: formal. Veuillez agréer l'expression de mes sentiments distingués is standard. English doesn't work that way. Using ultra-formal English in a casual workplace sounds robotic. Using casual English with a new client sounds unprofessional.
Three levels
Formal — new clients, senior management, complaints
Opening: "Dear Mr. Thompson," / Closing: "Kind regards,"
"I am writing to inquire about..." / "Please find attached..." / "I would be grateful if you could..."
Opening: "Dear Mr. Thompson," / Closing: "Kind regards,"
"I am writing to inquire about..." / "Please find attached..." / "I would be grateful if you could..."
Professional — colleagues, regular clients, cross-team
Opening: "Hi Sarah," / Closing: "Best," or "Thanks,"
"Just wanted to check in on..." / "Here's the file." / "Could you take a look at...?"
Opening: "Hi Sarah," / Closing: "Best," or "Thanks,"
"Just wanted to check in on..." / "Here's the file." / "Could you take a look at...?"
Casual — close colleagues, team chat, Slack
Opening: "Hey!" / Closing: "Cheers," or nothing
"Quick question —" / "FYI" / "Thoughts?"
Opening: "Hey!" / Closing: "Cheers," or nothing
"Quick question —" / "FYI" / "Thoughts?"
How to choose
First email = match their level. If they wrote "Hi," don't reply with "Dear." Match, then gradually adjust.
Common mistakes
"Please find enclosed herewith the document pertaining to our discussion" — say "Here's the document we discussed." Also: "Dear Sir or Madam" when you know their name. Use it: "Dear Ms. Chen," or "Hi Ms. Chen,"