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  4. An email explaining a problem

An email explaining a problem

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

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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

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

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

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

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Language level

A2 Pre-intermediate
Average: 4.2 (23 votes)
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Submitted by LamVanPhuong on Sat, 16/10/2021 - 13:12

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i have but at that time i was a child, I had stomach ache and diarrhea i can not go to school so I have to suspend my studies for a week. when i return to the school my teacher helped me revise the lesson so I can keep up with my classmates

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Submitted by PuenteD on Tue, 07/09/2021 - 20:15

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I don't remember a situation like that, but I imagined it while reading and I think that it's really difficult to live that moment.

Submitted by Giuliana on Thu, 26/08/2021 - 21:36

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Unfortunality yes, I¨ve missed days or weeks of school when i went to the primary school because i had an operation on of my left kidney and i missed around one month. This was very difficult to me, i missed a lot of classes and i dont understood anything. My friends gave me gifts and my companions of class gave me their books and homework. Thanks of god i recovered very well

Submitted by Thinthinmyoe on Thu, 24/06/2021 - 12:29

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I have never missed several days with my college.But,I missed about a month with my work as I studied distance Education to the university.While I was there, other my colleagues helped and replaced in my period of teaching.

Submitted by Veronikka on Tue, 22/06/2021 - 01:17

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When I was in college, I had an accident where I broke my legs. The doctor told me: "You must rest at home for 6 months." I was so worried about my studies at the university. And I spoke to the dean on the phone and explained my situation. He understood me and I studied online and received all the materials by email.

Submitted by Ehsan on Wed, 28/04/2021 - 06:03

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yes. If I am absent from a class, I get voice records and handouts from my classmates. Also if I am absent from my work, I ask my colleagues to do my tasks and then when coming back to my work I try to work more to compensate for that.

Submitted by Camila Abreu on Fri, 09/04/2021 - 14:49

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I never had to miss many days in the school, university or work. But if it was necessary, I would follow the medical guidelines, to solve my problem as soon as possible, to return to routine activities.

Submitted by MikhailZatopliaev on Mon, 05/04/2021 - 00:04

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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