Formal and Informal Emails Flashcards

Which phrase would you use in an informal email to ask a friend for a favor?

Answer: Could you do me a favor and pick me up?

Informal emails use natural, conversational phrasing like 'Could you do me a favor and pick me up?'

In the APTIS writing test, which feature is most likely to cost you marks in an email task?

Answer: Using the wrong register for the given situation

Using the wrong register (e.g., informal language in a formal email) is a major error in APTIS email writing tasks.

Which sentence shows an appropriate way to reference a previous email in a formal reply?

Answer: Further to your email dated July 20th, I am writing to...

'Further to your email dated...' is a formal phrase that politely acknowledges a previous communication.

What does 'BCC' mean in email communication?

Answer: Blind Carbon Copy

'BCC' stands for 'Blind Carbon Copy,' meaning recipients in the BCC field cannot see each other's addresses.

Which sentence from an email body shows incorrect register mixing?

Answer: We are totally gonna sort this out ASAP, no worries!

Mixing slang ('totally gonna', 'no worries') with formal context is a register error that should be avoided.

You receive a complaint email from a customer. Which opening for your formal reply is most appropriate?

Answer: Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

'Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention' acknowledges the complaint professionally and politely.

Which of the following best describes the difference between formal and informal email vocabulary?

Answer: Formal emails use longer, more complex vocabulary; informal emails use simple, everyday words.

Formal emails tend to use more sophisticated vocabulary (e.g., 'commence' instead of 'start'), while informal emails favor simple, everyday language.