French Phrase
Pour les relances, on préfère en général l'email.
Meaning
The sentence states that, when sending reminders or follow‑up messages, the preferred communication channel is email. It reflects a typical business practice of using a written, traceable medium for relances.
When to use
Use this phrase in professional meetings, emails, or presentations when discussing how to handle follow‑up communications with clients, colleagues, or partners.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pourlesrelances,onpréfèreengénérall'email.
Pour (preposition)
Introduces the purpose or reason; here it means “for”.
les relances (noun phrase)
Plural noun meaning “reminders” or “follow‑ups”.
on (impersonal pronoun)
Used like “we” in a generic sense, common in business French.
préfère (verb préférer)
Third‑person singular present of préférer; expresses a preference.
en général (adverbial phrase)
Means “generally” or “in general”, placed before the verb or after it.
l'email (elided article)
The definite article “le” contracts with a vowel‑starting noun; email is masculine in French.
🗨In Conversation
Comment devrions‑nous contacter les clients qui n'ont pas répondu ?
How should we contact clients who haven't replied?
Pour les relances, on préfère en général l'email.
For follow‑ups, we generally prefer email.
✕Common Mistakes
Pour les relances, on préfère en général le email.
The article contracts with the vowel‑starting noun; use l'email.
Pour les relances, on préfère d'envoyer un email.
Prefer prefers an infinitive without “de”.
Pour les relances, en général on préfère l'email.
The adverbial phrase usually follows the verb or precedes the whole clause, not split awkwardly.
↔Alternatives
Pour les relances, on utilise généralement l'email.
For follow‑ups, we usually use email.
En général, on privilégie l'email pour les relances.
In general, we favor email for follow‑ups.
On préfère généralement l'email pour les relances.
We generally prefer email for follow‑ups.
Cultural Tip
In French business culture, email is seen as the most professional and traceable way to send reminders. Phone calls for relances can be perceived as too intrusive, especially in larger companies. Remember to keep the tone courteous and to include a clear subject line when you send the email.