WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: Bring Back Blunt Emails

Episode Date: March 25, 2025

No emojis. No unnecessary words. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and last week I told you how not to soften the tone of your emails, by adding emojis. Another way people often try to soften emails is by adding a whole lot of extra words. Please send the budget proposals. Becomes, when convenient, would you please forward those budget proposals my way? Don't do this. Adding extra words obscures important information, and it doesn't really soften your tone. It just makes you sound corporate.

We all have beef with corporate speak because it evades both responsibility and clarity. The best way to avoid being aggressively blunt is to just ask the recipient how they're doing or mention something you're both interested in. For example, before you note that the budget proposals are late, you might say something as simple as I hope you're having a great week so far. Guys, it's okay to have fun at work. Just remember to joke with people and not at them if you want to keep your job. That's your Grammar Minute.

Visit Thegrammer Minute.com for more tips and truth. Thank you.