15 Other Ways to Say “Please Advise” (With Examples)

In professional communication, especially in emails, the phrase “Please advise” is commonly used to request guidance or information. However, overusing this phrase can make your emails seem repetitive or impersonal. Diversifying your language not only enhances clarity but also fosters better relationships with your colleagues and clients. Below are 15 other ways to say “Please advise” each accompanied by examples to help you incorporate them seamlessly into your communications.

Is It Professional to Say “Please Advise” in an Email?

Assessing the use of “Please advise” in professional emails involves considering its effectiveness in communication and its impact on the tone of your message. Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of using this phrase.

Pros:

• Clarity: It directly communicates that you are seeking guidance or information.
• Brevity: It’s a concise way to request assistance without adding unnecessary words.
• Formality: Suitable for formal business communications, maintaining a professional tone.

Cons:

• Overuse: Frequent use can make your emails monotonous and may reduce the perceived effort in communication.
• Impersonal: It may come across as too direct or lacking in warmth, which can affect relationship building.
• Ambiguity: In some contexts, “Please advise” can be vague, leaving the recipient unsure about the specific assistance needed.

What Does “Please Advise” Mean?

“Please advise” is a polite request for information, guidance, or instructions. In professional settings, it’s often used to seek clarification, ask for approval, or request the next steps in a process. The phrase is intended to be courteous and direct, signaling to the recipient that their input is valued and needed to proceed further.

What to Say Instead of “Please Advise”?

Here are 15 other ways to say “Please advise”:

1. Could You Please Provide
2. I Would Appreciate Your Input On
3. Let Me Know Your Thoughts On
4. Can You Update Me On
5. I’m Seeking Guidance On
6. Please Share Your Expertise Regarding
7. Could You Clarify
8. I Need Your Assistance With
9. Would You Mind Explaining
10. Please Let Me Know
11. I’m Looking for Your Advice On
12. Could You Inform Me About
13. I’d Like Your Feedback On
14. Please Update Me On
15. Let’s Discuss

1. Could You Please Provide

“Could you please provide” is a polite and direct way to request specific information or documents. It clearly specifies what you need, making it easier for the recipient to understand and respond appropriately. This phrase is especially useful when you require concrete data or materials to proceed with a task.

Examples:

• Suppose you are managing a project and need the latest financial data to update your budget spreadsheet. You might write:

  “Could you please provide the latest financial report by Friday so I can update our budget accordingly?”

• Imagine you are organizing an event and require the contact details of a vendor. You could say:

  “Could you please provide the contact information for our catering vendor to finalize the arrangements?”

2. I Would Appreciate Your Input On

“I Would Appreciate Your Input On” expresses a respectful request for someone’s opinion or feedback. It emphasizes the value you place on the recipient’s expertise or perspective, making them feel their contribution is important and valued.

Examples:

• If you’ve drafted a new policy and want feedback from your manager, you might write:

  “I would appreciate your input on the new workplace safety policy to ensure it meets all necessary standards.”

• When developing a marketing campaign and seeking creative ideas from a colleague, you could say:

  “I would appreciate your input on the upcoming marketing campaign to enhance our outreach strategy.”

3. Let Me Know Your Thoughts On

“Let me know your thoughts on” invites the recipient to share their opinions or suggestions. It fosters a collaborative environment by encouraging open dialogue and ensures that different perspectives are considered before making decisions.

Examples:

• If you’re considering changes to a project timeline and need team feedback, you might write:

  “Let me know your thoughts on adjusting the project timeline to accommodate the recent delays.”

• When evaluating different software options and seeking a colleague’s perspective, you could say:

  “Let me know your thoughts on the new software options we’re considering for the CRM system.”

4. Can You Update Me On

“Can You Update Me On” is used to request the latest information or status updates on a particular subject. It is straightforward and helps keep everyone informed about ongoing developments, ensuring that projects remain on track.

Examples:

• If you’re overseeing a client’s account and need the latest updates, you might write:

  “Can you update me on the current status of the client’s account and any recent developments?”

• When tracking the progress of a software development project, you could say:

  “Can you update me on the progress of the new feature implementation scheduled for next week?”

5. I’m Seeking Guidance On

“I’m seeking guidance on” conveys that you need advice or direction on a specific issue. It shows humility and respect for the recipient’s expertise, indicating that you value their judgment in helping you navigate a particular challenge.

Examples:

• If you’re unsure about the best approach to handle a difficult client, you might write:

  “I’m seeking guidance on how to effectively manage our communications with the challenging client.”

• When deciding on the allocation of resources for a new project, you could say:

  “I’m seeking guidance on the optimal allocation of resources for our upcoming project to ensure maximum efficiency.”

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6. Please Share Your Expertise Regarding

This phrase respectfully requests the recipient’s specialized knowledge or skills on a particular topic. “Please Share Your Expertise Regarding” acknowledges and values their expertise, making them feel their professional insights are crucial to the matter at hand.

Examples:

• If you need insights on regulatory compliance, you might write:

  “Please share your expertise regarding the latest regulatory compliance requirements for our industry.”

• When planning to implement a new technology and needing expert advice, you could say:

  “Please share your expertise regarding the integration of AI tools into our existing systems.”

7. Could You Clarify

“Could you clarify” is used to ask for more detailed information or to remove any ambiguities. It ensures that you fully understand the subject at hand, preventing misunderstandings and facilitating smoother workflows.

Examples:

• If a colleague’s email about project requirements is unclear, you might write:

  “Could you clarify the specific deliverables expected for the upcoming project phase?”

• When reviewing a contract and needing more details, you could say:

  “Could you clarify the terms outlined in section three of the contract to ensure we are on the same page?”

8. I Need Your Assistance With

“I Need Your Assistance With” – This phrase is a straightforward request for help with a particular task or issue. It clearly states that you require support, making it easy for the recipient to understand how they can assist you.

Examples:

• If you’re struggling to meet a deadline and need help, you might write:

  “I need your assistance with completing the quarterly financial analysis by the end of the week.”

• When organizing a company event and requiring logistical support, you could say:

  “I need your assistance with coordinating the venue setup for the annual conference.”

9. Would You Mind Explaining

“Would you mind explaining” is a polite way to ask someone to provide more information or to make something clearer. It softens the request, making it courteous and respectful, which can be especially important in maintaining positive professional relationships.

Examples:

• If a team member uses technical jargon that you don’t understand, you might write:

  “Would you mind explaining the new software’s key features in more detail?”

• When receiving feedback that is not entirely clear, you could say:

  “Would you mind explaining your feedback on the report to help me make the necessary improvements?”

10. Please Let Me Know

“Please Let Me Know” – This versatile phrase is used to request information, confirmation, or updates. It is both polite and direct, suitable for various contexts, making it a reliable alternative to “Please advise.”

Examples:

• If you need confirmation on a meeting time, you might write:

  “Please let me know if the proposed meeting time works for you.”

• When awaiting feedback on a submitted proposal, you could say:

  “Please let me know your thoughts on the proposal by the end of the week.”

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11. I’m Looking for Your Advice On

This phrase explicitly seeks the recipient’s counsel or recommendations. It indicates that you value their judgment and experience, making it clear that their input will influence your decisions.

Examples:

• If you’re deciding between two vendors and need input, you might write:

  “I’m looking for your advice on which vendor would be the best fit for our upcoming project.”

• When considering a career move and seeking a mentor’s perspective, you could say:

  “I’m looking for your advice on pursuing further education to advance my career.”

12. Could You Inform Me About

“Could you inform me about” is a formal way to request information on a specific topic. It is clear and respectful, making it suitable for professional settings where precise information is required.

Examples:

• If you need details about a company policy, you might write:

  “Could you inform me about the new remote work policy that was recently implemented?”

• When seeking information on upcoming training sessions, you could say:

  “Could you inform me about the upcoming training sessions related to cybersecurity?”

13. I’d Like Your Feedback On

This phrase invites the recipient to provide their opinions or evaluations on a particular matter. It shows that you value their perspective and are open to improvement, fostering a collaborative environment.

Examples:

• If you’ve created a draft of a new website and want input, you might write:

  “I’d like your feedback on the new website design to ensure it aligns with our brand image.”

• When presenting a marketing plan and seeking constructive criticism, you could say:

  “I’d like your feedback on the marketing plan to identify any areas that may need adjustment.”

14. Please Update Me On

Similar to “Can you update me on,” this phrase requests the latest information or progress regarding a specific topic. It keeps communication current and ensures everyone is informed about ongoing developments.

Examples:

• If you’re overseeing multiple projects and need status updates, you might write:

  “Please update me on the progress of each project so I can prepare for the weekly review meeting.”

• When tracking the development of a new product, you could say:

  “Please update me on the latest developments in the product testing phase.”

15. Let’s Discuss

“Let’s discuss” is an invitation to have a conversation about a particular topic. It encourages interactive dialogue and collaboration, making it a proactive way to address issues or brainstorm ideas.

Examples:

• If you need to address a concern with a colleague, you might write:

  “Let’s discuss the recent changes in our project scope to ensure we’re both aligned moving forward.”

• When planning a new initiative and wanting to brainstorm ideas, you could say:

  “Let’s discuss potential strategies for our upcoming marketing campaign during our next meeting.”

Final Thoughts

Effective communication is essential for maintaining professional relationships and ensuring smooth operations within any organization. While “Please advise” is a commonly used phrase for requesting assistance or information, exploring other ways to say “please advise” can make your emails more engaging and precise. By incorporating these 15 alternatives, you not only avoid repetition but also convey your messages with greater clarity and professionalism.

Remember, the key to effective communication lies in understanding your audience and tailoring your language to fit the context. Whether you’re seeking input, clarification, or approval, choosing the right words—especially when considering other ways to say please advise—can make a significant difference in how your message is received and acted upon.