Write an Email Making a Request B1 Writing Practice Tests Rules & Examples

How to Write an Email Making a Request in English

A request email is a message you write when you need to ask someone for something — for example, to ask for information, to borrow something, or to ask someone to do something for you. You might write a request email to a teacher asking for extra time on an assignment, to a company asking for more details about a product, or to a hotel asking about availability. Writing a clear, polite request email is an important real-life skill that you will use in English both inside and outside the classroom.

At B1 level, your request email should be organised into 3–4 paragraphs, be approximately 100–120 words, and use a neutral-to-polite register — not overly formal, but not as casual as a message to a close friend. You should explain who you are, what you are requesting, why you need it, and include a polite closing.

Essential Writing Rules and Sentence Structure

1. Use a Clear Paragraph Structure

Organise your email into the following four parts:

• Paragraph 1 – Introduction: State who you are and the reason for writing.
• Paragraph 2 – The Request: Explain clearly what you are asking for and why.
• Paragraph 3 – Extra Details: Add any important additional information or conditions.
• Paragraph 4 – Polite Closing: Thank the reader and ask them to respond.

2. Use Complex Sentences and Relative Clauses

At B1 level, avoid writing only short, simple sentences. Combine ideas using subordinate clauses and relative clauses to show a higher level of English.

Instead of: I am a student. I need some information. The information is about your courses.

Write: I am a student who is interested in your courses and I would be grateful if you could send me some further information.

3. Use Modals for Polite Requests

Modals make your requests sound polite rather than demanding. Use these structures:

• Could you possibly…? — a polite way to ask someone to do something
• I would be grateful if you could… — formal and very polite
• Would it be possible to…? — polite and neutral
• I was wondering if you could… — slightly tentative and very natural in English

4. Use the Correct Register

A request email is usually written in a neutral-to-polite register. This means you should avoid very informal expressions such as Hey!, Wanna, or Gonna, but you do not need to use extremely formal language either. Aim for polite, clear, and friendly.

5. Punctuation with Linking Adverbs

When you use linking adverbs such as However, Therefore, and In addition at the beginning of a sentence, you must always follow them with a comma.

For example: However, I would prefer to receive the information by email.

When you use although or even though inside a sentence, you do not need a comma after them.

For example: Although I have already visited your website, I could not find the details I needed.

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

Use these connectors to join your ideas clearly and naturally in your request email.

Model Writing Sample: Email Requesting Course Information

The Writing Prompt

You saw an advertisement for an English language summer course. Write an email to the school asking for more information. In your email:

• explain who you are and why you are writing
• ask about the course dates and prices
• ask whether accommodation is included
• ask how you can register

Model Answer

Subject: Enquiry About Summer English Course

Dear Sir or Madam,

[Paragraph 1 – Introduction: who you are and reason for writing]
I am writing to enquire about the summer English course that was advertised on your website last week. I am a 22-year-old student from Spain who is currently studying English at intermediate level, and I am very interested in improving my speaking and writing skills.

[Paragraph 2 – The Request: asking for specific information]
Could you possibly send me more information about the course dates and prices? In addition, I would like to know whether accommodation is included in the cost, since I would be travelling from abroad and would need somewhere to stay.

[Paragraph 3 – Extra detail and further request]
I was also wondering if you could explain how to register for the course, so that I can complete the process as soon as possible. Although I have looked at your website, I could not find a registration form.

[Paragraph 4 – Polite closing]
Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
María González

Model Text Word Count and Annotation

Word count: approximately 115 words (excluding subject line and name) — within the B1 target range of 100–120 words.

• Subject line: Clear and specific — tells the reader exactly what the email is about.
• Opening: Uses a formal greeting (Dear Sir or Madam) and immediately states the purpose.
• Body paragraphs: Each paragraph has one clear focus. Connectors such as In addition, since, so that, and Although are used naturally.
• Modal verbs: Could you possibly… and I was wondering if you could… create a polite, neutral tone.
• Relative clause: who is currently studying English — adds detail about the writer naturally.
• Closing: I look forward to hearing from you is a standard, professional closing line.
• Sign-off: Yours faithfully is used when you do not know the name of the reader.

Important Note on Sign-offs

In English, there is a useful rule for signing off polite emails and letters:

• If you write Dear Sir or Madam (you do not know the name), sign off with Yours faithfully.
• If you write Dear Mr Smith or Dear Ms Jones (you know the name), sign off with Yours sincerely.

Key Phrases and Sentence Starters

Greetings and Subject Lines

• Dear Sir or Madam,
• Dear Mr / Ms [Surname],
• Subject: Enquiry About [Topic]
• Subject: Request for Information Regarding [Topic]

Opening Lines and Stating Your Purpose

• I am writing to enquire about…
• I am writing to request some information about…
• I saw your advertisement and I would like to ask about…
• I am contacting you regarding…
• I recently visited your website and I was interested in…

Making the Request Politely

• Could you possibly tell me…?
• I would be grateful if you could…
• Would it be possible to…?
• I was wondering if you could send me…
• I would also like to know whether…
• Could you please let me know…?

Giving Reasons and Adding Details

• Since I am planning to… , it would be very helpful if…
• Although I have already looked online, I could not find…
• I need this information so that I can…
• In addition, I would like to ask about…
• As I will be travelling from abroad, I would appreciate…

Closing Lines and Sign-offs

• I look forward to hearing from you.
• Thank you very much for your time and help.
• I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
• Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.
• Yours faithfully, / Yours sincerely, / Kind regards,

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Confusing 'although' and 'however'

❌ I checked your website. Although, I could not find the prices.
✅ I checked your website. However, I could not find the prices.
Explanation: However connects two separate sentences and needs a comma after it. Although must be used inside a single sentence to connect two clauses: Although I checked your website, I could not find the prices.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the comma after a linking adverb

❌ In addition I would like to ask about the accommodation options.
✅ In addition, I would like to ask about the accommodation options.
Explanation: When linking adverbs such as In addition, However, Therefore, and As a result appear at the start of a sentence, they must always be followed by a comma.

Mistake 3: Using an informal or rude tone when making a request

❌ Send me the information about the course prices.
✅ Could you possibly send me some information about the course prices?
Explanation: A direct command sounds impolite in a request email. Always use modal verbs such as could, would, or phrases such as I would be grateful if… to soften your request.

Mistake 4: Spelling errors with common B1 vocabulary

❌ I would defenitely be intrested in recieving more informaton.
✅ I would definitely be interested in receiving more information.
Explanation: These are four of the most commonly misspelled words at B1 level. Learn them carefully: definitely, interested, receiving, information. Reading your email slowly before you submit it will help you catch spelling errors.

Mistake 5: Using the wrong sign-off

❌ Dear Sir or Madam, … Yours sincerely, Tom.
✅ Dear Sir or Madam, … Yours faithfully, Tom.
Explanation: When you open with Dear Sir or Madam, you must close with Yours faithfully. Yours sincerely is only used when you know and have used the reader's name.

Writing Checklist and Practice Task

Before You Submit: Writing Checklist

• ✅ Did you include a clear subject line?
• ✅ Did you use the correct greeting (Dear Sir or Madam or Dear Mr / Ms [Name])?
• ✅ Did you state your purpose clearly in the first paragraph?
• ✅ Did you use polite modal verbs to make your request (could you possibly, I would be grateful if, would it be possible)?
• ✅ Did you use at least two intermediate linking words (although, however, therefore, in addition, since, so that)?
• ✅ Did you put a comma after linking adverbs at the start of a sentence (However, / In addition,)?
• ✅ Did you use at least one relative clause (who, which, that, where)?
• ✅ Did you check your spelling of tricky words (definitely, interested, necessary, recommend)?
• ✅ Did you include a polite closing line and the correct sign-off?
• ✅ Is your email between 100 and 120 words?

Your Practice Task

Read the situation below and write your request email. Aim for 100–120 words organised into 3–4 paragraphs.

Situation: You have seen an advertisement for a part-time job at a local bookshop. You are interested in applying, but you need more information before you decide. Write an email to the bookshop manager. In your email:

• explain who you are and why you are writing
• ask about the working hours and the salary
• ask whether any previous experience is necessary
• ask how you can apply for the position

Use the model answer, key phrases, and writing checklist above to help you plan and write your email. Remember to use polite request language, at least two linking words, and one relative clause.

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.