Writing · Free lesson
TOEFL email writing: propose a solution that fits
Your study group needs a 45-minute meeting before 5 p.m. Room A is closed today. Room B is available from 4 to 5, and everyone can attend then. Write to the group coordinator to suggest an alternative; nothing has been booked yet.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
A useful proposal names an action that works within the problem’s limits. Check the place, time, and required duration. Then signal that it is a suggestion: “Could we reserve Room B from 4:00 to 4:45?” does not claim the reservation is already confirmed.
Solve the problem, respect the limits, and keep the status honest.
A different room alone is not enough if the time is too late. An earlier time alone is not enough if the room is closed. Room B from 4:00 to 4:45 satisfies both conditions and provides the required 45 minutes. A final request for confirmation keeps the next step clear.
An original email excerpt
Room A is closed today, so we need another place for our study meeting.
Could we reserve Room B from 4:00 to 4:45? That would give us 45 minutes and let us finish before 5.
Please let me know whether this plan works for the group.
Available does not mean booked. “I have reserved Room B” changes a proposal into a claim about an action you have already completed. Only say that if it is true.
Check the proposal against the facts
Check place and time
Room B is available from 4 to 5; Room A is closed.
Check duration and status
4:00–4:45 gives 45 minutes. Could we reserve it? Nothing is booked yet.
Try it now
Test the solution
Read all answers and explanations
Why does suggesting Room A at 4 p.m. fail?
Room A is closed today.The time could fit, but the room is closed. The other claims conflict with the scenario.
Which proposal meets the room, duration, and finish-time constraints?
Could we use Room B from 4:00 to 4:45?4:00–4:45 fits the availability and gives 45 minutes before 5. The first finishes too late; the third is only 15 minutes.
Nothing is booked yet. Which sentence keeps that status clear?
Could we reserve Room B for that time?Could we reserve proposes an action. The other sentences invent a completed booking.
Put it into practice
Repair an unworkable proposal
Keep it a suggestion and satisfy all the scenario’s constraints.
Could we use Room A from 6:00 to 6:45?
See a model answer
Could we reserve Room B from 4:00 to 4:45 so we can finish before 5?
The revision solves the practical problem while leaving confirmation to the next step.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Must every good answer use the same time?
No. Another 45-minute slot entirely within the availability and ending before 5 could also work. The choices here have been set up so only one meets all the constraints.
Could we use Room B from 4:05 to 4:50?
Is polite wording enough?
No. The request also needs to address the actual problem and constraints. Politeness cannot make an unavailable room available.
Could we please use the closed room? — Polite wording, unworkable solution.
Take it into your day
Make the alternative specific, feasible, and clearly a proposal until it is confirmed.
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