An email explaining a problem

Learn how to write an email to explain a problem.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

From: Jameela Lee
To: Professor Kim Hart
Subject: Absence from class for two weeks
Attached: doctor's_certificate.pdf

Dear Professor Hart,

I'm writing to let you know that I can't attend class for two weeks as I've had an accident and hurt my back. I'm afraid I also need to ask for an extension for next week's essay.

I have medicine for the pain but I can't get up or walk around much, and the doctor said I should stay in bed and rest as much as possible. This makes reading and studying very difficult for me at the moment. I've attached a copy of the doctor's certificate and I hope to be back in class from 12 May.

Until then, my friend is going to record the lectures so I can listen to them at home. I will try to catch up with all the reading too. However, I don't think I can submit the essay next week. Is it possible to have an extension?

Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,

Jameela

(ENG101 class)

Tips

Start with Dear and the person's title and name.
Say what the problem is first. Then, give more details. Finally, offer a solution or say what you hope will happen next.
Make it short and clear. Just include the most important information.
Say Thank you for your understanding at the end. It shows that you hope the reader will understand your problems.

Discussion

Have you ever missed several days of work, university or school? How did you keep up with your work?

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Worksheet90.12 KB

Try another writing

Language level

A2 - Pre-intermediate

Dear Oleg Zaymulin, I'm writing to let you know that I can't attend class for 1 month. I have problem with my knees, and I need operation. I attached conclusion from hospital. I very want to keep up, could help me with it, please? Do you have a handwrite of your lectures? or maybe video, It will be so helpful for me. Also I will missed a annual test, so could I postpone me test? Thank you for your understanding Regards, Mikhail

I have missed several days of work and school in my life. when I came back to work I read some reports what had happen during my absence and asked to my colleagues about further information.

Yes, I did at school I was 17 years old. I fissure the cartilage in my left knee. It was not nice, I didn't go to school and I lose a very important chemistry exam. That changes everything.

I have missed several weeks of school when I was at middle school. I was hospitalised for more than month. I kept up with my studies by studying alone at hospital. It wasn't easy but I could be at the same level as my classemates after coming back.

Yes, of course. I missed several days for my university bcoz I was preparing to create a online-event. But, now I'm back to study.

I have missed A lot of University class due to Headache. At that Time I asked my friend to mark my attendance in Class. And also Told to teacher about my situation. I recoverd my lecture through my friend copy. She is Extra ordinary in class that why I can't bear any problem to recover my missed lectures.

Yes, I have missed several days of University. When I don't go, I ask my friend what to do and how to do it and my friend explain to me a lot and teach me a lot. And sometimes, I ask the teacher.

Yes, I've missed a several days in university because i have an operation so I can't pass exams and of course i send a certificate to my professor to allow me to catch un on exams and fortunately I succeeded

I have missed several days of school. When i was a studen high school. I was ill for a week and i had to cancel seven days of school. Unfortunately, that day was a my camping day. The next week, i went to go school and had stack of homework to finish, that was the boring days.

yeah . actually i have missed several days from school because i had an ear pain so for that i could not attended to class but i attached a copy of the doctor and maybe i will extension more few days . but however i used that period to learn by myself on internet

An email explaining a problem

Preparation

Tips

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses