Checking an Email Before Sending | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At work, one adult asks another to check an email's subject, attachment, and recipients before it is sent..

EN → FR / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Checking an Email Before Sending to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Tu pourrais vérifier cet e-mail avant que je l'envoie ?

tew poo-RAY veh-ree-fee-AY seht ee-MEL ah-VAHN kuh zhuh lahn-VWA Could you check this email before I send it?
B

Je peux le vérifier. Qu'est-ce que je dois vérifier en premier ?

zhuh puh luh veh-ree-fee-AY. kes-kuh zhuh DWA veh-ree-fee-AY ahn pruh-MYAY I can check it. What should I check first?
A

Commence par la ligne d'objet, s'il te plaît.

kuh-MAHNS par lah LEEN doh-BZHAY, seel tuh PLAY Please start with the subject line.
B

La ligne d'objet est claire, mais ajouter le sujet de la réunion aiderait.

lah LEEN doh-BZHAY eh KLEHR, meh ah-zhoo-TAY luh soo-ZHAY duh lah ray-nyohn eh-DRAY The subject line is clear, but the meeting topic would help.
A

Le bon fichier est-il joint ?

luh BOHN fee-SHYAY eh-TEEL ZHWAN Is the correct file attached?
B

Oui, la version finale est jointe.

wee, lah vehr-SYOHN fee-NAHL eh ZHWANT Yes, the final version is attached.
A

Est-ce que j'ai inclus tout le monde qui a besoin de cet e-mail ?

ess-kuh zhay ahn-KLOO too luh MOHND kee ah buh-ZWAN duh seht ee-MEL Did I include everyone who needs this email?
B

La liste semble complète.

lah LEEST SAHMBL kohm-PLEHT The list looks complete.
A

Alors, je pense qu'il est prêt à être envoyé.

ah-LOR, zhuh PAHNS keel eh PREH ah EH-truh ahn-vwah-YAY Then I think it is ready to send.

Word by Word

Tu “Tu” means you here and addresses one person informally. In “Tu pourrais vérifier”, it is the subject of a polite request. A reusable pattern is “Tu peux + infinitive” when asking someone familiar to do something.
pourrais “pourrais” means could in the polite request “Tu pourrais vérifier”. It is a form of pouvoir followed by an infinitive, so “Tu pourrais + infinitive” is a useful request pattern. You could use this with a colleague or another person you address as “tu”.
vérifier “vérifier” means to check in “Tu pourrais vérifier cet e-mail”. It follows “pourrais” as the action being requested and can be followed by the thing being checked. The dialogue also uses “le vérifier” for check it.
cet “cet” means this before “e-mail” in “cet e-mail”. This form is used before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound. A reusable pattern is “cet + noun” when pointing out one specific item.
e-mail “e-mail” means email in “cet e-mail” and “cet e-mail” refers to the message being checked and sent. It is used here as the object of “vérifier” and “envoyer”. A reliable reuse pattern is a determiner followed by “e-mail”, such as “un e-mail” or “cet e-mail”.
avant “avant” means before and places the checking before the sending in “avant que je l'envoie”. Here it is followed by “que” and a clause. The reusable pattern is “avant que + clause” when one action must happen before another.
que “que” introduces the clause “que je l'envoie” after “avant”. The clause states the action that has not happened yet, namely sending the email. A reusable pattern is “avant que + subject + verb”.
je “je” means I and is the subject of “je l'envoie” in the clause about sending the email. It also appears as “Je” at the beginning of “Je peux le vérifier”; the capital letter is only due to sentence position. A reusable pattern is “je + verb” when describing your own action.
l'envoie “l'envoie” means send it in “que je l'envoie”; “l'” refers to “cet e-mail” and “envoie” supplies the sending action. The object pronoun comes directly before the verb in the exact pattern “je l'envoie”. You could use this pattern when saying that you send a previously mentioned item.
peux “peux” means can in “Je peux le vérifier”. It is followed by “le vérifier”, the action the speaker is able or willing to do. A reusable pattern is “Je peux + infinitive” when offering or stating ability to do something.
le In “Je peux le vérifier”, “le” means it and refers to the email. The same form appears as “Le” in “Le bon fichier”, where it means the before “fichier”; the capital letter is due to sentence position. The object use can be reused in patterns such as “le vérifier” when the item is already known.
Qu'est-ce The whole expression “Qu'est-ce que je dois vérifier en premier ?” asks what should be checked first. It combines “Qu'” as the shortened form of que, “est” meaning is, and “ce” meaning this or it, but the complete expression functions as a question opener. A reusable pattern is “Qu'est-ce que + clause” for asking what something is or what action is needed.
dois “dois” means must or should in “je dois vérifier”, expressing what the speaker is expected to check. It is followed by the infinitive “vérifier”. A reusable pattern is “je dois + infinitive” for stating an obligation or necessary action.
en “en” contributes to the expression “en premier”, which means first here. Its meaning in this dialogue is not the separate sense in, but part of the phrase indicating the order of checking. A reusable pattern is “en premier” when identifying the first step.
premier “premier” means first in “vérifier en premier”. Together with “en”, it tells the listener that this is the first item to check. You can reuse “en premier” when describing the first action in a sequence.
Commence “Commence” means start in the instruction “Commence par la ligne d'objet”. It tells the other person which action to take first and is the request form of commencer. A reusable pattern is “Commence par + noun” when directing someone to begin with a particular item.
par “par” means with or by starting with in “Commence par la ligne d'objet”. It links “Commence” to the first item in the sequence. The reusable pattern is “commencer par + noun” when explaining where an activity should begin.
la “la” means the before “ligne” in “la ligne d'objet”. The same form appears as “La” at the beginning of “La ligne d'objet est claire”; capitalization reflects sentence position. A reusable pattern is “la + noun” when referring to one specific item.
ligne “ligne” means line in the email expression “ligne d'objet”, which means subject line. Here it identifies the part of the email that should be checked first. The complete reusable expression is “ligne d'objet”.
d'objet “d'objet” means of the subject in “ligne d'objet”, so the whole phrase means subject line. It is the contracted form of de before “objet”. Keep the full expression “ligne d'objet” when referring to an email subject line.
s'il te plaît The whole expression “s'il te plaît” means please and makes “Commence par la ligne d'objet” polite in this familiar conversation. It contains “s'il”, “te”, and “plaît”: together they form the conventional request expression meaning if it pleases you. Use “s'il te plaît” when politely asking one person you address with “tu” to do something.
est “est” means is in “La ligne d'objet est claire”. The same verb form appears as “Est” at the start of “Est-il joint ?”, where capitalization follows sentence position. A reusable pattern is “noun + est + adjective” for describing something.
claire “claire” means clear in “La ligne d'objet est claire” and describes the subject line. The form matches “ligne” in this phrase. A reusable pattern is “être + adjective” when giving an evaluation or description.
mais “mais” means but and introduces a contrast between the clear subject line and the suggestion to add the meeting topic. It connects the two parts of “La ligne d'objet est claire, mais ajouter le sujet de la réunion aiderait”. Use “mais” to add a contrasting point or qualification.
ajouter “ajouter” means add in “ajouter le sujet de la réunion aiderait”. The act of adding the meeting topic is presented as something that would improve the email. A reusable pattern is “ajouter + object”, such as adding a detail to a message.
sujet “sujet” means topic in “le sujet de la réunion”, referring to the meeting topic that could be added to the email. The phrase “sujet de + noun” links a topic to what it concerns. Here it is different from “ligne d'objet”, which names the email subject line.
de “de” means of in “le sujet de la réunion”. It links “sujet” to “réunion” and shows that the topic concerns the meeting. A reusable pattern is “noun de noun” when connecting an item with what it relates to.
réunion “réunion” means meeting in “le sujet de la réunion”. It identifies the meeting whose topic should be added to the email. A reusable pattern is “une réunion” when referring to a meeting.
aiderait “aiderait” means would help in “ajouter le sujet de la réunion aiderait”. It says that adding the topic would be useful rather than simply commanding that it be added. A reusable pattern is “X aiderait” when explaining that an action would improve a situation.
bon “bon” means correct or right in “Le bon fichier”, referring to the file that should be attached. It comes before the noun it describes. A reusable pattern is “le bon + noun” when selecting the correct item.
fichier “fichier” means file in “Le bon fichier est-il joint ?”. It is the item whose attachment is being checked. A reusable pattern is “un fichier” when referring to a file.
il “il” means it in “est-il joint ?”, referring to “fichier”, and in “qu'il est prêt”, referring to the item that is ready to be sent. It is a subject pronoun used before the verb. A reusable pattern is “il est + adjective” for describing an item.
joint “joint” means attached in “Le bon fichier est-il joint ?”. It describes the file’s attachment status in the question. A reusable expression is “fichier joint” for an attached file.
Oui “Oui” means yes and confirms that the final version is attached in “Oui, la version finale est jointe”. It answers the preceding yes-or-no question. Use “Oui” at the start of a reply when confirming something.
version “version” means version in “la version finale”. Here it refers to the particular form of the file that has been attached. A reusable pattern is “la version + adjective” when identifying which version is meant.
finale “finale” means final in “la version finale” and describes which version is attached. The form matches “version” in this phrase. A reusable pattern is “version finale” when referring to the version intended for completion or delivery.
jointe “jointe” means attached in “la version finale est jointe”. It describes the version as having been attached; its form matches “version” in this phrase. This differs from “joint” in “Le bon fichier est-il joint ?”, where the described noun is “fichier”.
Est-ce que The whole expression “Est-ce que j'ai inclus tout le monde qui a besoin de cet e-mail ?” introduces a yes-or-no question. It combines “Est-ce”, meaning is it, with “que”, which introduces the following clause, but the full expression is used as a question marker. Use “Est-ce que + clause” to ask a direct yes-or-no question.
j'ai “j'ai” contributes I have in “j'ai inclus”, which expresses I included. It is formed from “j'”, the shortened form of je before a vowel, and “ai”, a form of avoir. A reusable pattern is “j'ai + completed-action form” when reporting something you have done.
inclus “inclus” means included in “j'ai inclus tout le monde”. It names the action of putting all the relevant people on the email’s recipient list. A reusable pattern is “j'ai inclus + person or item” when reporting what you included.
tout “tout” contributes the idea of all in the expression “tout le monde”. Together, “tout le monde” means everyone in this question about the email recipients. Keep the full expression “tout le monde” when referring to everyone.
monde “monde” is part of “tout le monde”, the expression meaning everyone here. With “tout”, it refers to all the relevant people rather than to the world as a place. A reusable pattern is the complete expression “tout le monde”.
qui “qui” means who and introduces the clause “qui a besoin de cet e-mail”, describing the people concerned. It connects “tout le monde” with the action or need that follows. A reusable pattern is “noun + qui + verb” when adding information about people.
a “a” is the verb form in “a besoin de cet e-mail”, the expression meaning needs this email. It connects the people described by “qui” with what they need. The reusable pattern is “avoir besoin de + noun”.
besoin “besoin” means need as part of the expression “a besoin de cet e-mail”. The complete expression “avoir besoin de” is used to say that someone needs a person or thing. Keep “de” and the needed item after the expression.
liste “liste” means list in “La liste semble complète”. Here it refers to the list of email recipients. A reusable pattern is “la liste + adjective” when evaluating a specific list.
semble “semble” means seems or looks in “La liste semble complète”. It presents “complète” as an impression or assessment rather than an absolute statement. A reusable pattern is “sembler + adjective” when describing how something appears.
complète “complète” means complete in “La liste semble complète”. It describes the recipient list as containing everyone needed. The form matches “liste” in this phrase, and “sembler + complète” is a reusable description pattern.
Alors “Alors” means then or so in “Alors, je pense qu'il est prêt à être envoyé”. It marks the conclusion reached after the email has been checked. A reusable pattern is “Alors + conclusion” when moving from completed checks to a decision.
pense “pense” means think in “je pense qu'il est prêt”. It introduces the speaker’s conclusion about the email’s readiness. The reusable pattern is “je pense que + clause” when stating an opinion or judgment.
qu'il “qu'il” means that it in “je pense qu'il est prêt à être envoyé”. It combines “que” with “il”, shortened before the vowel, and introduces the clause containing the conclusion. A reusable pattern is “je pense qu'il + verb or adjective” when giving an opinion about something.
prêt “prêt” means ready in “il est prêt à être envoyé”. It describes the email or item as ready for the next action. The reusable pattern is “être prêt à + infinitive”.
à “à” means to in “prêt à être envoyé”. It links “prêt” to the action that is ready to happen. A reusable pattern is “prêt à + infinitive” when saying that someone or something is ready for an action.
être “être” means be in “être envoyé”. After “prêt à”, it forms the meaning ready to be sent. The reusable pattern is “à être + attached action form” when describing what is ready to happen to an item.
envoyé “envoyé” means sent in “être envoyé”. Together with “être”, it describes the email as ready to be sent. A reusable expression is “être envoyé” for an email, file, or other item that will be sent.

Grammar Points

Tu pourrais + infinitif

Tu pourrais vérifier cet e-mail.

tew poo-RAY veh-ree-fee-AY seht ee-MEL

Could you check this email?

The conditional form « pourrais » makes a request more polite than « peux ».

avant que + subjonctif

avant que tu l'envoie

ah-VAHN kuh tew lahn-VWA

before you send it

« avant que » normally introduces the subjunctive; the verb form changes to agree with the subject.

French Vocabulary

avant que conj
ah-VAHN kuh before
cet det
seht this
Commence verb
kuh-MAHNS start
dois verb
DWA must / have to
e-mail noun
ee-MEL email
en premier adv
ahn pruh-MYAY first
l'envoie verb
lahn-VWA send it
ligne d'objet phrase
LEEN doh-BZHAY subject line
peux verb
puh can
pourrais verb
poo-RAY could
Tu pron
tew you (informal singular)
vérifier verb
veh-ree-fee-AY to check

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Is the correct file attached?

Show AnswerLe bon fichier est-il joint ?

Yes, the final version is attached.

Show AnswerOui, la version finale est jointe.

The list looks complete.

Show AnswerLa liste semble complète.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

can

Show Answerpeux

could

Show Answerpourrais

to check

Show Answervérifier

must / have to

Show Answerdois