Are you trying to find the most professional way to say “please” in an email?
Perhaps you’re worried that it’s not formal to use a word like this.
Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about it.
This article will teach you words to use instead of “please” in emails.
Is It Professional to Say “Please”?
It is professional to say “please.” The word itself is very well-rounded. Therefore, it’s just as effective formally as it is informally.
It’s good to use because it will make any sentence more polite. There’s never a situation where a simple “please” won’t help you to sound more respectful and sincere.
For instance, you can refer to this text message sample to learn more:
Please let me know as soon as you receive this text!
But it’s just as effective in emails! You can refer to the following sample email if you don’t believe us:
Dear Miss Mayne,
Please refer to the following attachment to learn more about this.
It should contain everything you need to know.
Yours,
Georgia Redding
Pros
- It’s both formal and informal, depending on the context you use it in.
- It’s always going to make a phrase more polite, which is why it works so well.
Cons
- It’s one of the most commonly used words, so it’s a bit excessive and overused.
- It’s generic, and there are other ways to sound polite.
While “please” is great to use formally, that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. It’s time to explore some alternatives to see what else might work for you.
Keep reading to learn synonyms for “please” in an email. We’ve touched on some of the best ones to show you what’s available.
What to Say Instead of “Please”
- Kindly
- Would you mind
- If you could
- I would appreciate it if
- May I ask that
- Could you
- It would be great if
- I’d be grateful if
- I request that
- Would it be possible to
1. Kindly
Another way to say “please” in an email is “kindly.” It’s one of the most common choices that helps to keep things formal and polite.
So, you can use this when you’d like someone to do something for you. It shows that you’re asking them nicely, which a recipient should be happier to work with.
Generally, you can use this when writing to a client. It shows you’re treating them with respect and don’t want to cause any offense when asking them to do something.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn a bit more about how to use it:
Dear Ms. Robinson,
Kindly review the following information and let me know if it’s correct.
Then, I’d be happy to go through the rest of this work with you.
All the best,
Joe Mackintosh
2. Would You Mind
Next, you can write “would you mind” instead of “please.” It’s a great formal synonym that helps you to sound as polite as possible.
For the most part, you can use this when requesting something from an employer. It shows that you’d like their help, but you want to make sure it’s something they’re happy to do.
Asking “would you mind” shows you’d appreciate help, but you’d understand if someone is too busy. That’s why it works best when contacting employers or bosses.
So, you can review the following sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Ms. Stevens,
Would you mind reviewing this project file for me and letting me know what you think?
I don’t want to continue working on it until I’m sure it’s right.
Thank you so much,
Ben Wilder
3. If You Could
It’s also smart to write “if you could” as a polite synonym for “please” in an email.
It works well because it shows that you respect someone’s schedule and don’t expect them to do something unless they’re happy to do it.
So, you can use it when asking an employee for help. It shows you understand they’re busy, but you’d appreciate it if they could take some time out of their day to assist you.
You can also check out this example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Jonathan,
If you could help me with this, I’d appreciate it.
Please let me know when you’re free to look through these notes.
Yours,
Craig Revell
4. I Would Appreciate It If
If you want to know how to say “please” in an email, look no further than “I would appreciate it if.”
This is a great way to be polite and respectful. It shows that you’d appreciate someone’s actions, but you also don’t expect them to help you.
It works best when emailing a coworker. This shows them that you don’t want to boss them around, but you would really appreciate it if they took time out of their day to assist you.
You can also check out the following example to learn a bit more:
Dear Joanna,
I would appreciate it if you could assist me with this project.
I’ll share more details with you if you agree to help me.
All the best,
Carl Clark
5. May I Ask That
Another word for “please” in an email is “may I ask that.” It’s simple yet sophisticated. So, it’s a great way to be professional and polite when you want to ask for help.
Use it when contacting your boss. It shows you understand they’re busy, but you’d like to hear back from them to see if they’re willing to help you with a problem.
Generally, your boss should be quite happy to assist you. After all, using this phrase shows that you respect them enough to see if they’re able to help first.
If you’re still unsure how it works, review the following example:
Dear Miss Murphy,
May I ask that you meet with me to discuss this on Friday?
I’ve got a few ideas that I think are best reviewed in person.
Yours,
Carla Banks
6. Could You
Going back to something simpler, you can say “could you” instead of “please.” This polite alternative will help you to be as respectful and open as possible.
You can use it when writing to a customer. It shows that you’d appreciate their cooperation with something.
Generally, customers will be happy to assist you. If you use a phrase like this to start an email, it shows you respect them and need their help.
So, you can check out this example to learn more:
Dear Ms. Willis,
Could you send me more information about the issue you refer to?
I’d like to help, but there are some important pieces missing.
Thanks,
Benjamin Bright
7. It Would Be Great If
Give “it would be great if” a go. It’s another way to say “please” that shows you’d appreciate someone’s efforts.
Try using it when contacting a coworker. It shows you’d like their help, and you think “it would be great” if they could offer it to you.
Generally, if you have a good relationship with them, your coworker will be happy to accept.
So, you can check out this email sample to learn a bit more:
Dear Joanna,
It would be great if you could work on this for the time being.
I think you’ve got some good ideas that are worth exploring.
Best wishes,
Mitch King
8. I’d Be Grateful If
Try staying more professional and sincere by saying “I’d be grateful if.”
This works best when writing to an employee. It lets them know you’d be truly grateful if they could assist you with a task.
Generally, we would use it when you’re interested in seeing whether an employee is happy to help. This should give you an indication as to how seriously they take their job.
Also, review this email example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Becky,
I’d be grateful if you could send me what you’ve got so far.
I’d like to check through your work to see if it’s ready for the next stage.
Yours,
Maria Link
9. I Request That
We recommend using “I request that” to stay formal and polite. It’s a great replacement for “please,” which shows you’re asking someone to do something.
Try using this when talking to a client. It lets them know that you have a request for them and that you’d appreciate it if they could come through for you.
So, feel free to review this sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Ms. Hall,
I request that you get through this project when you get the chance.
I’m sure we can work through it together once you’ve done your part.
My best,
Harry Blanket
10. Would It Be Possible To
Finally, we think it’s good to use “would it be possible to” instead of “please.”
Sure, it’s a bit wordier, but it’s a good way to stay polite and honest. It shows you’d like someone’s help, but you’d like to check whether they’re able to do something first.
Try using it when writing to your boss. It shows you’re trying to request something from them, but you don’t want them to take it the wrong way.
Here’s a great sample email to help you as well:
Dear Miss Perth,
Would it be possible to meet later in the week to discuss this?
I think I have some ideas that I’d certainly like to run by you.
Best wishes,
Sean Roper