T
thieuma
New Member
France, French
- Feb 25, 2008
- #1
Hi all,
I am writing a professional email to a person in the US (she does the same job as me), and I'd like to know if I can use the expression "I trust you are doing well" to end my message. I know her quite well (we had a few phone calls), but I was wondering if this expression would be considered too familiar in a professional context.
Thanks for your help,
Trust you're OK
Thieuma
L
lgs
Senior Member
Pennsylvania
American English
- Feb 25, 2008
- #2
It is not at all too familiar. You could also say, " I hope you're doing well". It's a matter of nuance.
lgs
Arrius
Senior Member
Spain
English, UK
- Feb 25, 2008
- #3
I trust tends to imply a greater degree of confidence on the part of the speaker.
AngelEyes
Senior Member
Detroit, Michigan
English - United States
- Feb 25, 2008
- #4
I see nothing wrong with it. If you want to say it even less personally, you could say it:
1. I trust all is well.
2. I hope everything is going well.
It in no way makes it sound like you expect an answer. To me, it's more a courtesy sentence.
The fact that you have had prior friendly contact is what prompts me to offer this opinion.
AngelEyes
K
Kolridg
Senior Member
Russian
- May 7, 2019
- #5
Arrius said:
I trust tends to imply a greater degree of confidence on the part of the speaker.
It seems to me then that we should use "trust" when previous events imply that a person the letter is addressed to must be in fine state or high feather by the moment the letter is sent.
For example, you both had very good developments in mutual job last week. When you were doing that job and had significant progress it made everything, even that which lies in daily life beyond the work, seem so fine that to say "hope" wouldn't be that much appropriate, something more confident and sprightly (vigorous) is needed (trust).
Or in case you know your friend or colleague has moved to better house or place of living, I think again word "hope" doesn't meet the situation.
kentix
Senior Member
English - U.S.
- May 7, 2019
- #6
That's something you say at the beginning, not at the end. I it doesn't make sense at the end.
Imagine the same thing in a face-to face encounter.
Hi. It's good to see you. I trust you are (have been) doing well.
Then you talk about how things have been going (if there's something to talk about).
You wouldn't meet, talk, and then say, "I trust you've been doing well" as you walk away. That sentence is a subtle form of a question (Have you been doing well?) That's not a closing comment.
K
Kolridg
Senior Member
Russian
- May 7, 2019
- #7
Thanks. I just tried to find out when one (trust) is more appropriate to use than second (hope). Maybe there is a criteria the choice depends on?
PaulQ
Senior Member
UK
English - England
- May 7, 2019
- #8
thieuma said:
if I can use the expression "I trust you are doing well" to end my message.
No. "I trust you are doing well" is unusual - it asks how a person's career is progressing - something that is rather personal and unsuitable for a business letter.
Compare:
A: "I hear your son is an accountant..."
B: "Yes, he's working for a big firm and is doing well - he has been promoted twice."
In BE, a common ending to letters about 60 years ago was Angeleyes' #4 "I trust all is well, yours <forename>." It was formulaic. The spoken version probably had its last speaker about the same time.
"I trust all is well" has a very general meaning -> I hope your general domestic circumstances are not troubling you.
I hope everything is going well is also personal and not suited for a business letter unless the context points to a commercial transaction.
Last edited:
R
reno33
Banned
English - USA
- May 7, 2019
- #9
Although many will disagree, I find "I trust......." somewhat "detached"' and "formal", like when a bank sends you a letter, something like that.
Between two people who know each other? I'd consider it a little odd. She'd probably refuse going out on a date with you if you used that phraseology. If you are French, however, she might forgive you and find it "kinda cute".
(Again, I mean all this from a USA perspective.. ......I know I keep harping on this USA/Brit thing, but it is a reality to a greater extend than many realize, especially in the "little" things like "trust".
PaulQ
Senior Member
UK
English - England
- May 7, 2019
- #10
reno33 said:
I find "I trust......." somewhat "detached"' and "formal",
I hope I didn't give any other impression for current BE.
K
Kolridg
Senior Member
Russian
- May 7, 2019
- #11
reno33 said:
I know I keep harping on this USA/Brit thing, but it is a reality to a greater extend than many realize, especially in the "little" things like "trust".
Have I understood correctly that it was said that "reality" (conversation) consists of such little things like difference between "trust" and "hope" though to many they will seem as not much affecting? Or maybe it was said that such difference between "trust" and "hope" is pretty real?
Is "I hope you're feeling well." idiomatic as well? Doesn't it sounds odd if there have been no troubles with friend's health and I just want to know if everything is fine?
K
kngram
Senior Member
Russian
- May 7, 2019
- #12
It is better not to use any sets of saying having the verb 'trust'. Some set informal phrases with this word,which are close in writing, are of negative meaning. Please, take advantage of standard phrases.
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.