Checking an email tone before sending | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: Before sending a professional follow-up email, one coworker checks the tone, next step, context, and recipient list with another..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking an email tone before sending to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

¿Podrías revisar el tono de este correo antes de que lo envíe?

poh-DREE-ahs reh-bee-SAR el TOH-noh deh ES-teh koh-REH-oh AN-tes deh keh loh en-BYEH Could you check the tone of this email before I send it?
B

Es profesional, pero el inicio suena un poco brusco.

es proh-feh-syoh-NAL, PEH-roh el ee-NEE-syoh SWEH-nah oon POH-koh BROOS-koh It is professional, but the opening feels a little sharp.
A

Quiero recordarles la solicitud sin parecer impaciente.

KYEH-roh reh-kor-DAR-les lah soh-lee-see-TOOD seen pah-reh-SER eem-pah-see-EN-teh I want to remind them about the request without sounding impatient.
B

Prueba con un inicio más suave que diga que estás dando seguimiento.

PROO-bah kohn oon ee-NEE-syoh mahs SWAH-beh keh DEE-gah keh es-TAHS DAHN-doh seh-ghee-mee-EN-toh Try a softer opening that says you are following up.
A

Eso suena mejor. ¿Mi solicitud es suficientemente clara?

EH-soh SWEH-nah meh-HOR. mee soh-lee-see-TOOD es soo-fee-see-en-teh-MEN-teh KLAH-rah That sounds better. Is my request clear enough?
B

Explica el siguiente paso en el mismo párrafo.

eks-PLEE-kah el see-GYEHN-teh PAH-soh en el MEES-moh PAH-rrah-foh Explain the next step in the same paragraph.
A

También añadí más contexto cerca del final.

tahm-BYEN ah-nyah-DEE mahs kohn-TEKS-toh SER-kah del fee-NAL I also added extra context near the end.
B

El contexto es útil. Revisa la lista de destinatarios antes de enviarlo.

el kohn-TEKS-toh es oo-TEEL. reh-BEE-sah lah LEES-tah deh des-tee-nah-TAH-ryos AN-tes deh en-BYAR-loh The context is helpful. Check the recipient list before you send it.
A

Era fácil no darse cuenta. La persona equivocada quedó incluida por error.

EH-rah FAH-seel noh DAR-seh KWEHN-tah. lah pehr-SOH-nah eh-kee-boh-KAH-dah keh-DOH een-KLOO-ee-dah por eh-ROR That was easy to miss. The wrong person was included by mistake.
B

Quita a esa persona de la lista.

KEE-tah ah EH-sah pehr-SOH-nah deh lah LEES-tah Remove that person from the list.
B

Entonces, el correo está listo para enviarlo.

en-TOHN-ses, el koh-REH-oh es-TAH LEES-toh pah-rah en-BYAR-loh Then the email is ready to send.

Word by Word

Podrías In «Podrías revisar», this politely asks whether someone could check something. It is a form of poder used with an infinitive: «Podrías» + an action. A new example is «¿Podrías ayudarme?».
revisar In «Podrías revisar», «revisar» means to check or review the email. It is used after «Podrías» to name the requested action. A new example is «Necesito revisar el documento».
el In «el tono», «el» means «the» and introduces the specific noun «tono». It is used before this masculine singular noun. A new example is «el correo».
tono In «el tono de este correo», «tono» means the way the email sounds to the reader, such as professional or sharp. «Tono de» connects the tone with the thing being evaluated. A new example is « revisar el tono del mensaje».
de In «el tono de este correo», «de» links «tono» to the email whose tone is being discussed. The pattern «el tono de» is reusable when describing the tone of a message or conversation. A new example is «el tono de la conversación».
este In «este correo», «este» identifies the email as the one close to or relevant to the speaker. It appears directly before «correo». A new example is «este documento».
correo In «este correo», «correo» means email. It is the object being checked and later sent in the dialogue. A new example is «recibí un correo».
antes In «antes de que lo envíe», «antes» places the checking action earlier than the sending action. The reusable pattern is «antes de que» followed by a clause. A new example is «antes de que empiece la reunión».
que In «antes de que lo envíe», «que» introduces the clause describing the event that must happen later. Together with «antes de», it connects the two actions in time. A new example is «antes de que llegues».
lo In «lo envíe», «lo» means «it» and refers back to «este correo». It is placed before «envíe» as the object of the sending action. A new example is «lo necesito».
envíe In «lo envíe», «envíe» expresses the speaker sending the email within the clause introduced by «antes de que». It is a form of «enviar», and «lo» identifies what is sent. A new example is «antes de que lo envíe».
Es In «Es profesional», «Es» states that the email has a professional quality. It is a form of «ser» used to describe what something is like. A new example is «Es importante».
profesional In «Es profesional», «profesional» describes the email's appropriate work-related tone. It follows «Es» to give the evaluation. A new example is «un mensaje profesional».
pero In «Es profesional, pero», «pero» introduces a limitation or contrasting point: the email is professional, yet its opening sounds sharp. It commonly connects two descriptions or ideas. A new example is «Es breve, pero claro».
inicio In «el inicio», «inicio» means the opening or beginning of the email. Here it is the part whose tone needs adjustment. A new example is «el inicio de la reunión».
suena In «suena un poco brusco», «suena» means seems or sounds to the listener or reader. The reusable pattern is «suena» + an adjective describing the impression. A new example is «La frase suena amable».
un In «un poco brusco», «un» helps form the expression meaning «a little». It appears before «poco» in this degree expression. A new example is «un poco difícil».
poco In «un poco brusco», «poco» reduces the strength of the description, meaning «a little». The reusable pattern is «un poco» + adjective. A new example is «un poco tarde».
brusco In «suena un poco brusco», «brusco» describes the opening as sharp or abrupt rather than gentle. It gives the reader's impression of the wording. A new example is «un comentario brusco».
Quiero In «Quiero recordarles», «Quiero» states the speaker's intention or desire. It is a form of «querer» followed by an infinitive naming the intended action. A new example is «Quiero confirmar la fecha».
recordarles In «recordarles la solicitud», «recordarles» means to remind them about the request. The ending «les» identifies the people receiving the reminder, while «la solicitud» identifies what is remembered. A new example is «Quiero recordarles la reunión».
la In «la solicitud», «la» means «the» and introduces the specific request. It is used before this feminine singular noun. A new example is «la reunión».
solicitud In «recordarles la solicitud», «solicitud» means the request that the recipients need to remember. It is the thing referred to after «recordarles». A new example is «enviar una solicitud».
sin In «sin parecer impaciente», «sin» means «without» and introduces an action that should not happen. The reusable pattern is «sin» + infinitive. A new example is «sin explicar el motivo».
parecer In «sin parecer impaciente», «parecer» means to seem or appear. After «sin», it describes the impression the speaker wants to avoid giving. A new example is «sin parecer demasiado directo».
impaciente In «parecer impaciente», «impaciente» describes someone who appears unwilling to wait. Here the speaker wants to remind the recipients without creating that impression. A new example is «No quiero parecer impaciente».
Prueba In «Prueba con un inicio más suave», «Prueba» gives one person an informal suggestion to try something. It is used directly before the suggested option with «con». A new example is «Prueba con otra frase».
con In «Prueba con un inicio», «con» introduces the option or wording that someone should try. The reusable pattern is «probar con» + an option. A new example is «Prueba con una versión más corta».
más In «más suave», «más» marks a higher degree, meaning «more» or «softer» in comparison with the current opening. It is placed before the adjective. A new example is «más claro».
suave In «un inicio más suave», «suave» describes wording with a gentler impression. It is modified by «más» to recommend a less sharp opening. A new example is «un tono suave».
diga In «que diga que estás dando seguimiento», «diga» describes what the softer opening should communicate. It is a form of «decir» used inside the clause introduced by «que». A new example is «una frase que diga la verdad».
estás In «estás dando seguimiento», «estás» identifies the person being addressed as the one carrying out the follow-up. It works with «dando seguimiento» to describe that activity. A new example is «estás trabajando».
dando seguimiento The expression «dando seguimiento» means following up on an earlier request or matter. «Dando» supplies the ongoing action and «seguimiento» names the follow-up, so the two components work together as one expression. A new example is «Estoy dando seguimiento a tu solicitud».
Eso In «Eso suena mejor», «Eso» refers to the softer opening just suggested. It points back to an idea or wording rather than naming it again. A new example is «Eso parece útil».
mejor In «suena mejor», «mejor» means better and evaluates the new opening more positively than the previous one. It follows «suena» to describe the resulting impression. A new example is «Esta versión funciona mejor».
Mi In «Mi solicitud», «Mi» shows that the request belongs to or was made by the speaker. It comes directly before «solicitud». A new example is «Mi correo».
suficientemente In «suficientemente clara», «suficientemente» means enough or sufficiently and modifies «clara». It expresses the degree needed for the request to be clear. A new example is «suficientemente detallado».
clara In «Mi solicitud es suficientemente clara», «clara» describes the request as easy to understand. Its form matches «solicitud» in this sentence. A new example is «La explicación es clara».
Explica In «Explica el siguiente paso», «Explica» tells one person informally to explain something. It is followed by the object being explained. A new example is «Explica el problema».
siguiente In «el siguiente paso», «siguiente» identifies the step that comes after the current one. It directly describes «paso». A new example is «la siguiente pregunta».
paso In «el siguiente paso», «paso» means the next action in the process. Here it is the action that should be explained in the paragraph. A new example is «completar el próximo paso».
en In «en el mismo párrafo», «en» indicates where the next step should appear. It is used before the place or section containing the information. A new example is «en el correo».
mismo In «el mismo párrafo», «mismo» means «same» and indicates that no new paragraph is needed. It describes «párrafo». A new example is «la misma página».
párrafo In «el mismo párrafo», «párrafo» means a paragraph of the email. It is the section where the next step should be explained. A new example is «un párrafo breve».
También In «También añadí», «También» adds another piece of information, meaning «also». It commonly appears before the verb or at the beginning of a sentence. A new example is «También revisé la lista».
añadí In «También añadí más contexto», «añadí» says that the speaker added something. It is a form of «añadir», and «más contexto» names what was added. A new example is «Añadí una nota».
contexto In «más contexto», «contexto» means background information that helps the reader understand the request. Here it was added near the end of the email. A new example is «dar más contexto».
cerca In «cerca del final», «cerca» means near and indicates approximate position. The reusable pattern is «cerca de» + a place or point. A new example is «cerca de la entrada».
del In «cerca del final», «del» links «cerca» with «final» and means «of the» in this expression. It is the contracted form used before «final». A new example is «al final del día».
final In «del final», «final» means the end, here the end of the email. It identifies the location where the extra context was placed. A new example is «el final del documento».
útil In «El contexto es útil», «útil» describes the context as helpful for understanding the email. It follows «es» to give that evaluation. A new example is «un consejo útil».
Revisa In «Revisa la lista», «Revisa» gives one person an informal instruction to check the list. It is followed by the thing that should be reviewed. A new example is «Revisa el archivo».
lista In «la lista de destinatarios», «lista» means the list being checked before sending the email. «Lista de» introduces the items contained in it. A new example is «una lista de nombres».
destinatarios In «lista de destinatarios», «destinatarios» means the people who are meant to receive the email. This is the plural form of «destinatario». A new example is «confirmar los destinatarios».
enviarlo In «antes de enviarlo», «enviarlo» means to send it, with «lo» attached to the infinitive «enviar». The pronoun refers to the email, and the reusable pattern is an infinitive plus «lo». A new example is «Voy a enviarlo mañana».
Era In «Era fácil no darse cuenta», «Era» describes the situation as being easy to overlook. It is a form of «ser» used to characterize that situation. A new example is «Era difícil de explicar».
fácil In «Era fácil no darse cuenta», «fácil» means easy and describes how little effort it would take not to notice the mistake. The pattern «ser fácil» can be followed by an infinitive. A new example is «Es fácil de entender».
no In «no darse cuenta», «no» negates the expression that follows. It changes noticing into not noticing. A new example is «no olvidar el archivo».
darse cuenta The expression «darse cuenta» means to realize or notice something. «Darse» is the reflexive part and «cuenta» completes the fixed expression; together they express becoming aware of a fact. A new example is «Me di cuenta del error».
persona In «La persona equivocada», «persona» means the individual who was included in the recipient list. It is described by «equivocada». A new example is «una persona del equipo».
equivocada In «La persona equivocada», «equivocada» means wrong or not the intended one. Its form describes «persona» in this expression. A new example is «la dirección equivocada».
quedó In «quedó incluida», «quedó» says that the person ended up in the included state. It is a form of «quedar» describing the result after the mistake. A new example is «quedó registrado».
incluida In «quedó incluida», «incluida» means included in the recipient list. Its form describes «la persona» in this sentence. A new example is «La dirección quedó incluida».
por In «por error», «por» introduces the reason or circumstance behind what happened. The full expression «por error» means by mistake. A new example is «Lo envié por error».
error In «por error», «error» means a mistake. Together with «por», it explains that the wrong person was included unintentionally. A new example is «cometer un error».
Quita In «Quita a esa persona de la lista», «Quita» gives an informal instruction to remove someone. The pattern keeps both the person being removed and the source or place after «de». A new example is «Quita el archivo de la carpeta».
a In «Quita a esa persona», «a» marks the person as the direct object of the removal action. This use appears before a specific person. A new example is «Vi a la persona».
esa In «esa persona», «esa» means «that» and points to the particular person already identified in the conversation. It describes «persona». A new example is «esa dirección».
Entonces In «Entonces, el correo está listo», «Entonces» signals the result or next conclusion: after the correction, the email is ready. It is commonly used to connect a previous action with its consequence. A new example is «Entonces, podemos empezar».
está In «está listo», «está» states the email's current condition. It is a form of «estar» used with «listo» to describe its readiness. A new example is «El documento está completo».
listo In «el correo está listo», «listo» means ready for the next action. Its form describes «el correo». A new example is «El informe está listo».
para In «listo para enviarlo», «para» introduces the action for which the email is ready. The reusable pattern is «estar listo para» + infinitive. A new example is «Estoy listo para salir».

Grammar Points

sustantivo femenino + adjetivo femenino

solicitud equivocada

soh-lee-see-TOOD eh-kee-boh-KAH-dah

mistaken request

The adjective changes to the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun solicitud.

por error + infinitivo

incluir por error

een-kloo-EER por eh-ROR

to include by mistake

Por error describes an unintended action and can accompany an infinitive verb.

Spanish Vocabulary

brusco adj
BROOS-koh sharp; abrupt

Es profesional, pero el inicio suena un poco brusco.

correo noun
koh-REH-oh email

¿Podrías revisar el tono de este correo antes de que lo envíe?

impaciente adj
eem-pah-see-EN-teh impatient

Quiero recordarles la solicitud sin parecer impaciente.

inicio noun
ee-NEE-syoh opening; beginning

Es profesional, pero el inicio suena un poco brusco.

parecer verb
pah-reh-SER to seem; to appear

Quiero recordarles la solicitud sin parecer impaciente.

profesional adj
proh-feh-syoh-NAL professional

Es profesional, pero el inicio suena un poco brusco.

prueba verb
PROO-bah try

Prueba con un inicio más suave que diga que estás dando seguimiento.

recordar verb
reh-kor-DAR to remind

Quiero recordarles la solicitud sin parecer impaciente.

revisar verb
reh-bee-SAR to check; to review

¿Podrías revisar el tono de este correo antes de que lo envíe?

solicitud noun
soh-lee-see-TOOD request

Quiero recordarles la solicitud sin parecer impaciente.

suave adj
SWAH-beh soft; gentle

Prueba con un inicio más suave que diga que estás dando seguimiento.

tono noun
TOH-noh tone

¿Podrías revisar el tono de este correo antes de que lo envíe?

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

professional

Show Answerprofesional

opening; beginning

Show Answerinicio

request

Show Answersolicitud

to seem; to appear

Show Answerparecer