What characterizes the tone of a business email?

The tone of a business email is typically characterized by being somewhat less formal than a traditional letter. This means it strikes a balance between professionalism and approachability. While it retains a respectful demeanor and clear communication style suitable for the workplace, it allows for a more conversational tone than formal letters, which are often rigid and adherence to strict formatting and language rules. This somewhat relaxed formality helps in fostering a better connection between the sender and the recipient while maintaining the seriousness of the professional context.

In contrast, the other options present characteristics that do not align with the expected tone of a business email. For example, an extremely formal tone can come off as overly stiff and might not reflect the modern workplace's more casual and collaborative culture. Casualness with humor may risk coming across as unprofessional or inappropriate, depending on the relationship between the sender and recipient, and the context of the message. Additionally, a highly critical and direct tone could lead to misunderstandings or defensiveness, which is not conducive to effective communication in a professional environment.