When conveying bad news,
A) place an apology at the very end of the letter.
B) use phrasing such as "I regret" or "We're sorry."
C) use "you" to place responsibility on the reader.
D) never use passive voice.
E) a and d.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using phrasing such as "I regret" or "We're sorry" shows empathy and takes responsibility for the news being delivered. This approach is more effective than placing blame on the reader (using "you") or burying the apology at the end of the letter. While using active voice is generally better in business writing, there may be cases where passive voice is appropriate for conveying bad news without placing undue blame on anyone.

When Conveying Bad News