The key idea
The learner can write an email that states its purpose first, asks one clear question in each sentence, and ends politely.
What is it for?
Learn how to write a short, polite email to ask for information.
What you need to know
- Start with a greeting and a short subject line.
- Say why you are writing.
- Ask one clear question in each sentence.
- Thank the reader for their help.
- Finish with a polite closing and your name.
1. Use the correct email parts
A good email has a clear order.
Start with a greeting. Then explain your reason for writing.
Ask your questions next. Thank the reader and finish politely.
- Write a short subject line.
- Use Hello or Dear with the person's name.
- Write your name at the end.
Subject: Evening English Class
The subject tells the reader what the email is about.
Hello, Ms Lee,
This is a polite greeting.
Best wishes, Ana
This is a friendly, neutral closing.
2. Say why you are writing
Tell the reader your reason at the start.
You can use a short sentence to explain your purpose.
Then ask for the information you need.
- Use I'm writing to ask about ...
- Name the class, club or service.
- Make a list of your questions before writing.
I'm writing to ask about your English classes.
The reader knows your reason immediately.
I'm writing to ask about the swimming club.
This sentence names the service.
3. Ask one clear question at a time
Each question should ask for one piece of information.
Use simple question forms. Do not put several questions together.
Direct questions are often shorter and clearer.
- Use Could you tell me ...? for polite questions.
- Use What time does it start? for a start time.
- Use How much is it? for a price.
- Use Is there a ...? to ask if something exists.
Could you tell me the price?
This is a polite way to ask about cost.
What time does the class start?
This asks for the start time.
Is there a class on Tuesday?
This asks about one possible day.
4. Keep the email polite and clear
Use a neutral tone for a school or club.
Avoid very casual words when writing to staff.
Thank the reader before you finish.
- Write Thank you for your help.
- You can also write I look forward to your reply.
- Use a question mark at the end of each question.
- Keep the subject short and clear.
Thank you for your help.
This thanks the reader politely.
I look forward to your reply.
This is a polite final sentence.
Could you send me the class timetable?
This asks politely for a useful document.
How to do it, step by step
- Write a short subject line.
- Greet the reader.
- Explain why you are writing.
- Ask your questions, one at a time.
- Thank the reader, close the email and write your name.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| I'm writing to ask about + noun. | I'm writing to ask about your English class. | I'm writing to ask about the gym. |
| Could you tell me + noun phrase? | Could you tell me the price? | Could you tell me the class time? |
| Could you send me + noun phrase? | Could you send me the timetable? | Could you send me the class details? |
| What time does + subject + start? | What time does the lesson start? | What time does the club open? |
| How much is + noun? | How much is the class? | How much is the course? |
| Is there a/an + noun? | Is there a class on Friday? | Is there an evening lesson? |
| Thank you for + noun. | Thank you for your help. | Thank you for the information. |
| I look forward to your reply. | I look forward to your reply. | I look forward to hearing from you. |
UK / US: Both British and American English use these email forms. Some words differ, such as timetable in British English and schedule in American English.
Model text
Asking About an English Class
Subject
Subject: Evening English Class
The short subject tells the school the email topic.
Greeting
Hello, Ms Lee,
The greeting is polite and neutral.
Purpose
I'm writing to ask about your evening English classes. I want to join a class next month. I work during the day, so I need an evening class.
The first sentences explain the reason for writing.
Questions
Is there a class on Tuesday? What time does it start? Could you tell me the price? Could you send me the timetable? Is the class for beginners?
Each question asks for one clear piece of information.
Thanks and closing
Thank you for your help. I look forward to your reply. I can visit the school next week. Best wishes, Ana
The writer thanks the reader and ends politely.
Common mistakes
✗ What time the class starts?
✓ What time does the class start?
Use does before the subject in this present simple question.
✗ Could you tell me the price.
✓ Could you tell me the price?
Use a question mark at the end of a question.
✗ I'm writing ask about the class.
✓ I'm writing to ask about the class.
Use to before ask in this phrase.
✗ How much the class is?
✓ How much is the class?
Put is before the subject in this question.
✗ Could you send the timetable me?
✓ Could you send me the timetable?
Put me before the thing you want.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Write down the information you need.
- Choose a short subject line.
- Write your purpose in one sentence.
- Write one question for each piece of information.
- Add thanks, a closing and your name.
Check
- Does the subject show the email topic?
- Do you explain your reason near the start?
- Does each question ask for one thing?
- Are your questions polite and correctly written?
- Did you add thanks, a closing and your name?
Practice
Choose the Best Question
Choose the clearest or most polite question.
1.You want to know the class price.
The second option is polite and uses the correct word order.
2.You want to know the start time.
Use does before the subject in this present simple question.
3.You want the school to send a timetable.
This question asks politely and uses the correct word order.
4.You want to know if there is a Friday class.
Use Is there a to ask if something is available.
5.You want to ask about an evening course.
This sentence clearly explains the reason for writing.
6.You want to thank the school.
This is a correct and polite way to thank the reader.
Build the Questions
Put the words in the correct order.
1.Put the words in order:
Couldtheyoumepricetell
Start with Could you, then add the request.
2.Put the words in order:
theWhatclasstimestartdoes
Use What time, then does, the subject and the verb.
3.Put the words in order:
onaFridayIsthereclass
Start with Is there, then name the class and day.
4.Put the words in order:
Couldtimetablethesendyoume
Put me before the thing you want the reader to send.
5.Put the words in order:
Howismuchcoursethe
Start with How much, then use is before the subject.
6.Put the words in order:
classaskyourwritingI'mtoabout
Use I'm writing to ask about before the topic.
Complete the Questions
Write the missing word or words.
1. you tell me the price?
Could you is a polite way to ask for information.
2.What does the class start?
Use What time to ask about a start time.
3.How much the course?
Use is before the subject in this question.
4.Is there a class Friday?
Use on before a day of the week.
5.I'm writing to about your English classes.
Use to ask about to explain your reason for writing.
6.Thank you your help.
Use for after Thank you when you name the reason.
Fix One Small Mistake
Correct the one mistake in each question.
1.What time the class starts?
Add does and use the base form start.
2.Could you tell me the price.
A question needs a question mark.
3.How much the course is?
Put is before the subject in this question.
4.Could you send the timetable me?
Put me before the thing you want.
5.Is there class on Friday?
Add a before the singular countable noun class.
Now write
Your task
You want to join an evening English class. Write an email to the school. Ask about the day, the time and the price. Include a subject, greeting, purpose, questions, thanks, closing and name.
Word bank
eveningclassschooldaytimepricecoursetimetablejoinasksendstarthelpreplymonth
Sentence starters
- I'm writing to ask about ...
- Is there a class ...?
- What day does ...?
- What time does ...?
- Could you tell me ...?
- Thank you for ...