Reading Short Emails and Notes
How to get the point of a short English email or note fast — what it asks you to do, and by when.
Most short messages you read in English are doing one of three things: giving you information, asking you to do something, or changing a plan. If you can tell which, you have understood the message.
Find the request
A short email usually hides one real request in the middle. Look for these:
- Could you…? / Can you…? — a request. This is the important line.
- Please send… / Let me know… — also a request.
- Just to let you know… — information only, no action needed.
- Sorry, but… — something has changed.
Hi Anna — hope you're well. Just to let you know the room has moved to B12. Could you tell Marek? Thanks!
Two sentences of politeness, one real request: tell Marek.
Find the deadline
Time words are usually the second most important thing:
- by Friday — before Friday ends.
- before the meeting — earlier than the meeting.
- as soon as you can — quickly, no exact time.
- no rush — there is no deadline.
Openings and closings carry no information
| Phrase | What it means |
|---|---|
| Hope you're well | (nothing — it is politeness) |
| Just a quick one | The message is short |
| Thanks in advance | I expect you to do it |
| Best / Regards | (goodbye) |
You can skip these completely on a first read.
Notes are even shorter
Gone to the shop. Back at 6. Dinner in the fridge — just heat it up. Don't forget to call your mum.
Notes drop the subject: Gone means I have gone, Back at 6 means I will be back at 6. The bold-worthy part is the instruction at the end.
A method
- Read it once for the request — the Could you / Please line.
- Read again for the time — by, before, at.
- Ignore the greeting and the sign-off.
Test yourself
The quiz below gives short messages. Find what you are being asked to do, and when.