Is your email too long? You might be making this mistake.
A French colleague once asked me to proofread his email in English.
It was long. Really long. But not because his English was bad. He just used too many words to say something simple.
This happens all the time.
Even fluent speakers make emails longer, unclear, and full of fluff.
The fix? Use one strong verb.
Verbs make your emails clearer, shorter, and more professional.
Here’s why:
⭐ They remove vague, wordy phrases.
⭐ They save time by cutting unnecessary words.
⭐ They make your message action-oriented.
Test yourself: Try simplifying these wordy phrases before scrolling down
➤ “We would like to seek your verification that the documents we sent were received…”
➤ “We are putting forward an idea for a revised marketing strategy…”
➤ “We are a little bit unsure of the meaning of the data you provided in the last report and we were wondering if you could give us a more detailed explanation…”
Got your answers? Now, compare them with these:
➸ Please confirm receipt of the attached documents…
➸ We propose a revised marketing strategy…
➸ Please clarify the data in the attached report…
See the difference? One verb = instant clarity= a concise email.
Next time you write an email, challenge yourself: Can I say this in fewer words?
What’s one wordy phrase you see (or use) all the time in business emails?
P.S. I help professionals write clear, culturally sensitive business emails that make an impact.
🔄 Share these tips to help your network write clearer, more professional emails!
