Are you trying to ensure that people are on time when attending a meeting?
Perhaps you’d like to say “please be on time,” but you’re wondering if it’s rude or professional.
Don’t worry! We’re here to help.
This article will share some alternatives to show you how to say “please be on time” politely.
Is It Rude to Say “Please Be On Time”?
It is not rude to say “please be on time.” It’s a professional and polite phrase that shows you’d like people to arrive to something on time.
There’s nothing wrong with asking for someone to be punctual. In fact, in the workplace, it’s expected of you to arrange your schedule and ensure you can arrive to things on time.
You can say it when sending an invitation to friends as well. Therefore, it’s not only a professional phrase. It works well when you simply want people to attend an event (i.e., a birthday party).
Check out this sample email to learn more about how the phrase works:
Dear Team,
I would like to invite you all to the meeting on Friday at 4 p.m. Please be on time, as it’s quite an important one to go through.
Best wishes,
Dana White
Pros
- It’s polite.
- It shows that you’d like people to arrive on time, which is a totally acceptable request.
Cons
- It sounds a bit desperate when contacting superiors.
- It isn’t always the best way to ask your friends to come to an event.
It’s clear that “please be on time” is an acceptable phrase in emails. However, that doesn’t mean it’s your only choice. So, it’s time to explore your options.
Keep reading to learn how to say “please be on time” professionally. There are some great alternatives available to tell someone to be punctual.
What to Say Instead of “Please Be On Time”
- I will appreciate your promptness
- Please arrive promptly
- We value your punctuality
- We respectfully ask that you be on time
- I would appreciate it if you could arrive on time
- Please try to arrive in a timely manner
- Please make every effort to arrive on time
- We would appreciate it if you could arrive on schedule
- Please plan to arrive at the designated time
- Please respect the schedule and arrive on time
1. I Will Appreciate Your Promptness
You can politely ask someone to be on time by using “I will appreciate your promptness.” Generally, this is a great formal synonym for “please be on time” when writing an email.
Try using it when bulk emailing employees. It’s a great choice because it shows that you’d appreciate it if they could all buckle down and arrive to a meeting at the time you requested.
You can also refer to this email sample:
Dear Team,
I will appreciate your promptness for the meeting tomorrow. It’s important for everyone to attend to see what’s happening.
All the best,
Joanna Scofield
2. Please Arrive Promptly
Next, we recommend using “please arrive promptly” when you’ve arranged a party or event. It shows you how to politely tell guests to be on time when you’re inviting them to an event.
For instance, you can use it when asking your friends to be on time. It’s a great way to let them know that you expect their punctuality when arriving at an event.
After all, they’re your friends. If you’re inviting them for a specific time, you expect to see them at that time, right?
Also, here’s an invitation wording example to show you more about how to use it:
Dear Aimee,
Please arrive promptly. I really want to see you there, and I hope you can get there as soon as the party starts.
All the best,
Marlow Thief
3. We Value Your Punctuality
Try include “we value your punctuality” in a message to a client. It shows that you’d like them to arrange on time and want them to follow the meeting schedule before attending.
Generally, this keeps things professional and respectful. It’s highly effective at encouraging a client to hear you out and arrive at an event as soon as you expect them to.
Also, using “we” helps you to represent your company. It’s much more formal to use “we” here rather than the more personal pronoun “I.”
Feel free to review this sample email if you still need help with it:
Dear Mr. Clark,
We value your punctuality. So, we would appreciate it if you could arrive at the designated time before we begin.
Thank you so much,
Michelle Greaving
4. We Respectfully Ask That You Be on Time
Feel free to include “we respectfully ask that you be on time” when setting up a meeting.
This is a great way to ensure someone listens and arrives promptly when a meeting is arranged.
For instance, you can use it when emailing a client. It lets them know that you’re keen for them to attend a meeting, so they really need to ensure they come at the time you’ve sorted out.
You can also check out this example to learn more about how it works:
Dear Mr. Furlough,
We respectfully ask that you be on time for this meeting. We would like to discuss the situation promptly, and you need to be there.
Yours,
Harrison Trilby
5. I Would Appreciate It if You Could Arrive on Time
You might also find it useful to try “I would appreciate it if you could arrive on time” instead of “please be on time.”
This is a great phrase that shows you’re hoping guests will arrive as scheduled.
Generally, this works best in an invitation setting. So, you can use it when you’re hosting a birthday party.
If you’re still unsure, check out this example:
Hi Max,
I would appreciate it if you could arrive on time for my birthday party! I only get one a year, after all.
Thank you so much,
Jack Bins
6. Please Try to Arrive in a Timely Manner
Feel free to include “please try to arrive in a timely manner” in a formal email when arranging an appointment.
This could work well when emailing a patient. It shows that you’ve already booked them in for a specific slot, and you would appreciate it if they could turn up on time.
It’s polite and kind. So, most patients will be happy to follow through and arrive when you tell them to.
Feel free to review the following email sample to learn more about it:
Dear Michael,
Please try to arrive in a timely manner for your appointment. Then, we can look into the issue and see how we can fix it.
Best,
Jade Building
7. Please Make Every Effort to Arrive on Time
Next, we recommend using “please make every effort to arrive on time.”
It’s a great formal synonym that shows you’re hoping people will arrive on time when arranging meetings.
Try it when emailing a new starter for a company. It lets them know that you expect them to arrive on time (sometimes even a few minutes before the meeting is scheduled to start).
You can also review this sample email to learn more about it:
Dear Miss Jones,
Please make every effort to arrive on time for the meeting. It’s important that you get there five minutes before we begin.
Yours,
Walter Burke
8. We Would Appreciate It if You Could Arrive on Schedule
You will also benefit from writing “we would appreciate it if you could arrive on schedule” when hosting a meeting.
This shows that the meeting is vital and should not be missed. It’s demanding and sincere, ensuring that all recipients do as their told and arrive on time.
Here’s a great example to help you if you still don’t understand how it works:
Dear Miss Angelo,
We would appreciate it if you could arrive on schedule. This is an incredibly important meeting, so you can’t miss it.
Yours,
Duncan Baxter
9. Please Plan to Arrive at the Designated Time
Try using “please plan to arrive at the designated time” when inviting a customer to a direct meeting.
It lets them know that you have a plan in place and would like to make an appointment with them.
This is an effective way to communicate with customers and show them that you’re on their side. Overall, it’s polite and genuine, which will put most customers at ease.
Check out this example to learn more about it:
Dear Mr. Jackson,
Please plan to arrive at the designated time. That way, we’ll be able to discuss more about the situation and see what solutions we can come up with.
Yours,
Kurt Myers
10. Please Respect the Schedule and Arrive on Time
You can also write “please respect the schedule and arrive on time” instead of “please be on time.”
Now, this one is very professional and sincere. So, it’s a great way to let someone know you expect them to be on time.
Also, saying “respect the schedule” suggests that everyone’s time is just as valuable. Therefore, it would be unfair for anyone to be late.
It’s demanding and direct. So, it works best when emailing an employee before a meeting.
Check out this example if you still need help understanding it:
Dear Adrian,
We will be hosting this meeting at 3 p.m. Please respect the schedule and arrive on time to avoid any complications.
Best regards,
Dana Willis