Make a formal enquiry easy to answer
Ich wende mich an Sie, weil ich eine Auskunft benötige.
State the purpose, relevant background and precise questions in an appropriate register.
A formal enquiry helps an unfamiliar recipient answer without guessing. Choose an informative subject, a suitable greeting, a brief reason for writing and specific questions. Ich wende mich an Sie, weil … introduces your purpose. Könnten Sie mir mitteilen, ob …? embeds a yes/no question with the finite verb at the end. Keep the polite Sie form consistent. Include relevant background, not a long unrelated personal history. A closing thanks the reader without pretending that an answer or approval has already been received. In the fictional examples, distinguish requesting information from making a binding booking.
Ich wende mich an Sie, weil ich eine Auskunft benötige.
I am contacting you because I need some information.
Ich interessiere mich für den Abendkurs im November.
I am interested in the evening course in November.
Könnten Sie mir mitteilen, ob noch Plätze frei sind?
Could you tell me whether places are still available?
Außerdem würde ich gern wissen, wann der Kurs beginnt.
I would also like to know when the course begins.
Über eine kurze Rückmeldung würde ich mich freuen.
I would appreciate a brief reply.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Unterstützung.
Thank you for your support.
A formal enquiry helps an unfamiliar recipient answer without guessing. Choose an informative subject, a suitable greeting, a brief reason for writing and specific questions. Ich wende mich an Sie, weil … introduces your purpose. Könnten Sie mir mitteilen, ob …? embeds a yes/no question with the finite verb at the end. Keep the polite Sie form consistent. Include relevant background, not a long unrelated personal history. A closing thanks the reader without pretending that an answer or approval has already been received. In the fictional examples, distinguish requesting information from making a binding booking.
State the purpose, relevant background and precise questions in an appropriate register.
Könnten Sie mir mitteilen, ob der Kurs stattfindet? is an enquiry, not confirmation of a place. Do not switch between Sie and du for the same unfamiliar recipient.
Subject → greeting → purpose/background → precise questions → thanks/closing. Indirect question: ob + finite verb at the end.
Write a 120-word formal enquiry about a fictional course: reason, your availability, a question about the schedule and a question about remaining places.