Sentence structure vs. email etiquette
Do the following different expressions in an email deliver the same message or do they convey slightly different messages to the native English speakers ?
- Can you let me know what I can do to set it up?
- Can you please let me know what I can do to set it up?
- Please let me know what I can do to set it up?
- Please help and let me know what I can do to set it up?
(I think) I understand the semantic subtleties but I am not certain how a native speaker would perceive them, especially when they are read in an email.
Top answer
Don't put a question mark at the end of the last two. Once that's fixed I'd use the third one. Please help and ...
- Don't put a question mark at the end of the last two.
- Once that's fixed I'd use the third one.
- Please help and ...
- seems clunky and a bit too helpless.
- " they are less direct.
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Don't put a question mark at the end of the last two.
Once that's fixed I'd use the third one.
Please help and ... seems clunky and a bit too helpless.
The first two aren't bad at all, but because they are phrased with "can you?" they are less direct. If taken literally, the answer can be, "Yes, I can, but I'm not going to". Of course, no one will take it that
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