Grammarly Certified Advanced Grammar and Language Specialist Professional and Business Writing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which opening line is most appropriate for a formal business email?
- Hey Sarah, just wanted to touch base!
- Dear Ms. Johnson, I am writing to follow up on our recent discussion. (Correct answer)
- Hi! Hope you're doing well. So I was thinking…
- Greetings. Per my last email (see below)…
Correct answer: Dear Ms. Johnson, I am writing to follow up on our recent discussion.
Formal business emails use a professional salutation, the recipient's title and last name, and a clear statement of purpose.
Question 2: What does 'per our conversation' typically signal in business writing?
- A polite reference to a prior discussion used to provide context (Correct answer)
- A passive-aggressive reminder that the recipient failed to act
- A legal disclaimer
- A request for immediate payment
Correct answer: A polite reference to a prior discussion used to provide context
While sometimes perceived as passive-aggressive, 'per our conversation' is formally used to reference a prior discussion and introduce a follow-up.
Question 3: Which is the best subject line for a business email requesting urgent action?
- URGENT!!!!
- Action Required by Friday: Budget Approval for Q2 Project (Correct answer)
- Please read ASAP
- FYI — Budget stuff
Correct answer: Action Required by Friday: Budget Approval for Q2 Project
Effective subject lines are specific, include the deadline, and clearly state the action required without excessive punctuation.
Question 4: In business writing, what does the 'bottom line up front' (BLUF) principle recommend?
- End every email with a financial summary
- State the main point or requested action in the first sentence (Correct answer)
- Use bullet points for all information
- Avoid detailed explanations to keep emails short
Correct answer: State the main point or requested action in the first sentence
BLUF is a military and business communication principle: lead with the conclusion or request, then provide supporting details.
Question 5: Which phrase should be avoided in professional business writing because it is a cliché?
- Please let me know if you have questions.
- I look forward to your response.
- Going forward, we will synergize our core competencies. (Correct answer)
- We will follow up by end of day Friday.
Correct answer: Going forward, we will synergize our core competencies.
Business jargon like 'synergize our core competencies' is vague and clichéd; replace it with specific, plain-language statements.
Question 6: Which closing is most appropriate for a formal business email?
- Talk soon!
- XOXO
- Sincerely, (Correct answer)
- Later,
Correct answer: Sincerely,
'Sincerely' is the standard formal closing for professional correspondence; casual closings are inappropriate in formal contexts.
Grammarly Certified Advanced Grammar and Language Specialist Professional and Business Writing 1
Which opening line is most appropriate for a formal business email?