Grammar Rule No. 1 that you can ignore

Never split an infinitive. The fact is, some infinitives beg to be split.

Consider this sentence: Our CEO expects to more than double revenues this year. Try rewriting it so as to eliminate the split infinitive; there’s no way to do it without losing the precise meaning of the original.

Here is another example: We are trying to immediately solve the financial mess that is bleeding the organization. Although you can rewrite this sentence by placing immediately at the end of the sentence, the intended urgency is lost.

With split infinitives, the best bet is to steer a middle course. If you can avoid a split infinitive without altering meaning, introducing ambiguity, or interrupting flow, you should do so.

Are you a bore?

How many times have you smiled while reading an email. It's usually with a frown that we read emails because they are just tasks that need to be done. I regularly interact with one of my clients with whom I share a very good rapport, and the emails are a testimony to it. She writes just as she would speak, and I like to read the easy flow of thoughts captured so neatly in a structured way. It takes a little effort to do that, and to make sure your email is not just another chore for the reader.

Here are a five tips that will help you write like you are speaking to the person:

1. Be conversational. Avoid writing sentences like 'Attached with this email...'. You can try changing this to 'I am sending you...'. Keep the tone friendly and formal.

2. Don't be pompous. Use simple words that can be easily understood by your reader.

3. Use the reader's name if you need to build rapport. It personalizes your email. But, at the same time never overuse the reader's name. This will taste like adding too much sugar in your coffee.

4. If you are responding an email the second time, there is no need to address the reader again. Just continue as if you are speaking.

Example: Yes, Anita. The report will be ready by Wednesday for review.

Regards
Sharmila

So, there is no need to start with 'Dear Anita' again.

5. Use positive words like, 'Sure, we can go ahead', 'This sounds good', 'We appreciate your efforts', etc...

The best thing is that you will receive responses the way you write!

check out this link

When my friend heard that I am putting down some of my learnings in emailing, he mailed me this link. Of course, there are hundreds of websites that speak about the dos and don'ts of emailing. This website is different because of the conciseness of content - as a quick reference material, and I personally liked the author's style of writing. Check out this link and let me know if it has helped.

http://www.businessworld.in/index.php/E-mail-Dynamics.html