Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[faith2k]

Here�s a scinario. I am a graduate student working on a paper for publication. My advisor kindly suggested that he take a look at my paper before I submit the final version to the journal. So I emailed the manuscript to my advisor. I am pressed for time, but my advisor does not respond to my email for four weeks. Finally I decide to email him to remind of it politely and cautiously because I know he must be very busy with other priorities.

Here comes my question. If I start my email with �This is a simple reminder about my paper~,� would it be considered rude and sound businesslike? What might be the best way to express my urgency? Just simply saying ��Did you by any chance take a look at my paper?� My email has to be polite.

Thank you.

[educe22]

I would avoid the first approach. The second is one that I might use. Go for it!
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Educe22

[redset]

Personally I'd say something like "have you had a chance to look at my paper?" or "have you had an opportunity to take a look?"

By any chance is something you say when you think something is unlikely, but you want to ask and make sure. If you're talking about something that you think should have been done, it can sound sarcastic.

"Have you seen my dog?" (a simple question)
"Have you seen my dog, by any chance?" (asking somebody who might have seen her)
"Have you seen my dog, by any chance?" (asking the person who was supposed to be looking after her - very sarcastic, since that person should know exactly where the dog is!)

So yeah, it might come across as a little sarcastic if it's implied your advisor should have looked at it by now. I think I'd be polite by implying he's busy, and asking if he's been able to find any spare time to take a look.

(Also it's scenario, as in scene, scenic and all that.)