[Avoid These Verbs in Business Emails]-[BE 478: Avoid These Verbs in Business Emails]

Business English from All Ears English · B1 · 2025-10-16

📋 Summary

Enhancing Professionalism: Why You Should Avoid Informal Contractions in Business Correspondence

In the realm of global business communication, the nuance of language can significantly impact your professional credibility. A recent episode of the Business English podcast highlights a crucial lesson for non-native speakers and professionals alike: the distinction between spoken English and written business communication. Using overly informal contractions—even when they are common in casual speech—can undermine your authority and make your emails appear unprofessional.

The Pitfall of "Lemme" and Similar Contractions

The podcast hosts, Lindsay and Aubrey, shared an example of an email that appeared professional in tone but contained the phrase "let me know," written as "lemme." This specific contraction is a prime example of a linguistic choice that, while common in rapid, casual speech, is inappropriate for a workplace setting. Even when you have a good relationship with your colleagues, writing "lemme" can "devalue" or "cheapen" your message. The hosts emphasize that such shortcuts should be reserved exclusively for spoken English, as they create a glaring contrast with otherwise professional prose.

Key Informal Verbs to Avoid in Writing

To maintain a polished reputation, professionals should avoid using the following informal contractions in emails, Slack messages, or any form of office correspondence:

Gonna: Instead of writing "we're gonna have the meeting," use the full form: "we are going to."
Wanna: Avoid "I wanna check in" in favor of "I want to check in."
Gotta: This is highly informal for "have to" or "need to." Writing "we gotta meet" sounds too spontaneous and lacks the necessary professional weight. Use "we need to" or "we have to" instead.
Sorta/Kinda: These are informal fillers for "somewhat" or "in a way." If you are concerned about a project, it is much more effective to write, "I am somewhat concerned," rather than "I'm kind of concerned."

Maintaining Professionalism Without Over-Formalizing

It is important to note that not all contractions should be avoided. The hosts clarify that standard subject-verb contractions, such as "I'm" or "you're," are perfectly acceptable and often expected in professional writing. Avoiding these can actually make your writing sound unnaturally stiff or overly formal. The goal is to strike a balance: remain professional by avoiding slang-based contractions while utilizing standard English contractions to keep your tone natural and accessible.

Contextual Awareness: Speech vs. Writing

Even in a verbal business context, such as a phone call with a new client, your language should be elevated. For instance, while you might use "wanna" in a casual chat with a close friend, you would naturally shift to "I want to" during a formal project update. The hosts suggest that if you are using more sophisticated vocabulary—such as using the verb "ensure"—it would be incongruous to pair it with an informal verb like "wanna."

Conclusion

Ultimately, your professional reputation is built on consistency and appropriateness. By consciously choosing to write out these informal verbs, you demonstrate respect for the recipient and the business context. As the podcast takeaway emphasizes, effective communication in the workplace depends on being "appropriate with our level of formality." By reserving "gonna," "wanna," and "gotta" for casual, spoken conversations, you ensure that your written communications remain clear, credible, and polished.

🎯Key Sentences

Do they look at you with a blank face sometimes?

It makes it even more glaring.

I'm excited about this.

Just to lay some context.

it reduces credibility.

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📝Key Phrases

let me know

going to

want to

need to

have to

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📖 Transcript

This is the Business English Podcast, Episode 478.

Avoid These Verbs in Business Emails.

Welcome to the business english podcast.

From all ears english.

Get the english skills you need to achieve your dreams in global business for a presentation, a meeting or your office party.

This is real business english, with your favorite american hosts, lindsay and aubrey, coming to you from arizona and colorado, usa.

Or study on the web version →