Stop Translating Your French Emails: 12 Phrases That Sound Wrong in English at Work
Your English is good. Your grammar is clean, your vocabulary is wide, and then you sign off an email with 'I remain at your disposal' and your British colleague quietly wonders if you are offering yourself for hire. The problem is not your English. The problem is that you are still writing in French and translating word for word. French business writing loves long, ceremonious formulas: 'Je reste à votre disposition', 'Dans l'attente de votre retour', 'Veuillez agréer mes salutations distinguées'. These are polite and normal in French. Translated literally, they sound like a 19th-century butler. English work emails are shorter and warmer. This guide takes 12 French formulas you almost certainly use and shows you what an English speaker actually writes instead. Same politeness, fewer words. Let's fix your sign-offs.
- I look forward to hearing from youneutral
- A warm, standard way to close an email when you expect a reply. e.g. Thanks for sending the figures. I look forward to hearing from you. Replaces the literal 'In the wait of your return' from 'Dans l'attente de votre retour'. The French noun phrase has no natural English equivalent, so you must switch to a verb: look forward to + -ing.
- I'm happy to help if you need anythingneutral
- You are available for further questions or support. e.g. That covers the main points. I'm happy to help if you need anything else. Replaces 'I remain at your disposal', the calque of 'Je reste à votre disposition'. In English, 'at your disposal' sounds like furniture or a servant, not a colleague. Drop 'remain' entirely.
- Best regards / Kind regardsneutral
- A safe, neutral sign-off for most work emails. e.g. Best regards, Claire Replaces 'Cordially', the word-for-word version of 'Cordialement'. 'Cordially' exists in English but sounds cold and old-fashioned. Native speakers reach for 'Best regards' or just 'Best'.
- Thanks in advanceinformal
- A friendly way to thank someone for help you are about to receive. e.g. Could you send the signed copy by Friday? Thanks in advance. Replaces 'I thank you in advance', the heavy calque of 'Je vous remercie par avance'. English keeps it short. The full subject-verb version sounds like a form letter.
- Please find attached / I've attachedneutral
- You are sending a document with the email. e.g. I've attached the updated invoice for your records. French speakers often write 'Please find enclosed' from 'Veuillez trouver ci-joint'. 'Enclosed' is for paper in an envelope. For email, use 'attached', and modern English prefers the plain 'I've attached'.
- I wanted to ask you about...neutral
- A soft, direct way to open a request. e.g. I wanted to ask you about the timeline for the launch. Replaces 'I permit myself to ask you', a translation of 'Je me permets de vous demander'. The reflexive 'se permettre' has no place in English and makes you sound apologetic to the point of suspicion.
- Just following up on...informal
- A light way to chase a reply without sounding annoyed. e.g. Just following up on my message from Tuesday about the contract. French speakers tend to write 'I allow myself to come back to you', from 'Je me permets de revenir vers vous'. English uses the casual 'follow up'. Note: 'come back to you' means you will reply later, not that you are chasing.
- Could you let me know...?neutral
- A polite, normal way to request information. e.g. Could you let me know if Thursday works for you? Replaces 'I would be grateful if you would have the kindness to inform me', from 'Je vous serais reconnaissant de bien vouloir m'informer'. The 'bien vouloir' / 'avoir l'amabilité' chain has no English equivalent. 'Could you' carries all the politeness you need.
- Hi James,informal
- A normal email greeting to a colleague, even a senior one. e.g. Hi James, Thanks for the quick turnaround. French formality pushes 'Dear Sir,' from 'Madame, Monsieur,' even with people you email daily. In most English-speaking workplaces, 'Hi + first name' is standard and not rude. Save 'Dear Mr Smith' for cold or very formal contexts.
- Sorry for the delayinformal
- A short apology for a late reply. e.g. Sorry for the delay, I was out of office last week. French speakers often produce 'Please excuse me for the delay of my answer', from 'Veuillez m'excuser pour le retard de ma réponse'. 'Veuillez m'excuser' becomes a stiff imperative in English. A simple 'Sorry for the delay' is what people actually write.
- Let me know if that worksinformal
- You are proposing something and asking for confirmation. e.g. I can do 3pm on Wednesday. Let me know if that works. Replaces 'Do not hesitate to come back to me', the calque of 'N'hésitez pas à revenir vers moi'. 'Do not hesitate' is grammatical but reads as formal padding to a native ear. The shorter line sounds confident, not abrupt.
- All the best,neutral
- A warm but professional sign-off, slightly friendlier than 'Best regards'. e.g. Thanks again for your help. All the best, Marc Replaces the full ceremonial 'Please accept the expression of my distinguished salutations', from 'Veuillez agréer l'expression de mes salutations distinguées'. English has no equivalent. Pick a short sign-off and stop. The grand formula simply does not translate.
Common questions
Is 'Cordially' really wrong in English emails?
It is not grammatically wrong, but it sounds cold and dated to native speakers, the opposite of the warm intent behind 'Cordialement'. Use 'Best regards', 'Kind regards', or 'Best' instead.
How do I translate 'Je reste à votre disposition'?
Do not translate it word for word as 'I remain at your disposal', which sounds servile. Write 'I'm happy to help if you need anything' or 'Let me know if you have any questions'.
Can I start a work email with 'Hi' instead of 'Dear'?
Yes, in most English-speaking workplaces 'Hi + first name' is the default for colleagues and even managers. 'Dear Mr/Ms Surname' is reserved for cold contacts, applications, or very formal situations.
What replaces 'Dans l'attente de votre retour'?
There is no English noun phrase for it. Switch to a verb and write 'I look forward to hearing from you', or more casually 'Looking forward to your reply'.
Are short English emails seen as rude?
No. In English-speaking workplaces, clarity and brevity are usually valued over ceremony, and overly long or formal phrasing can read as awkward rather than polite.
Sources
- 8 common faux pas in English business emails, British Council.
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