“Please See Attached”: Emailing Like a Pro
In professional communication, clarity and precision are paramount. When sending emails with attachments, knowing how to properly direct the recipient’s attention to the included documents is crucial. The phrase “please see attached” is a common way to do this, but mastering its nuances and variations can significantly enhance your communication skills. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to using “please see attached” and its alternatives effectively. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to improve their email etiquette, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to communicate with confidence and clarity.
We will explore the grammar, structure, and usage of this phrase, along with numerous examples and practical exercises. By understanding the different ways to convey this message and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your emails are clear, concise, and professional.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Please See Attached”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Related Phrases
- Examples of Usage
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “Please See Attached”
“Please see attached” is a polite and formal phrase used in emails or other written communication to direct the recipient’s attention to a document or file that is included with the message. It is a concise way of informing the reader that additional information relevant to the email’s content can be found in the attached file. The phrase serves as a signpost, guiding the recipient to the supplementary material.
Classification: It is classified as an imperative sentence, as it gives a polite command or instruction.
Function: The function of “please see attached” is to inform the recipient about the presence of an attachment and encourage them to review it. It ensures that the recipient is aware of the additional information provided and understands its relevance to the email’s context.
Contexts: This phrase is commonly used in professional settings, such as business emails, formal letters, and academic correspondence. It is appropriate in any situation where you need to refer to an attached document or file.
Structural Breakdown
The phrase “please see attached” is composed of three key elements, each contributing to its overall meaning and purpose.
- “Please”: This is a polite word used to soften the imperative nature of the sentence. It adds a courteous tone to the request, making it more agreeable for the recipient.
- “See”: This is the verb in the imperative mood, meaning “to look at” or “to examine.” It directs the recipient to focus their attention on something specific.
- “Attached”: This adjective describes the state of the document or file, indicating that it is connected to the email. It informs the recipient that the document is physically included with the message.
The structure of the phrase is straightforward and easy to understand, making it a widely used and accepted way to refer to attachments in written communication. The word order is fixed and generally doesn’t change.
Types and Categories of Related Phrases
While “please see attached” is a common phrase, there are several variations and alternatives that can be used to convey the same message. These alternatives can add variety to your writing and allow you to tailor your message to the specific context and recipient.
Formal Alternatives
- “Please find attached”: This is a slightly more formal alternative, often used in professional settings.
- “Attached please find”: This is a less common, more archaic version of “Please find attached” and is best avoided in modern communication.
- “Kindly refer to the attached document”: This is a very formal option, suitable for highly professional or academic contexts.
- “The attached document provides further details”: This is a descriptive way of introducing the attachment, rather than directly requesting the recipient to view it.
Informal Alternatives
- “See attached”: This is a more concise and informal version, suitable for internal communication or when writing to someone you know well.
- “I’ve attached”: This is a more personal and direct way of referring to the attachment.
- “The file is attached”: This is a simple and straightforward statement indicating the presence of the attachment.
Descriptive Alternatives
- “Please see the attached report for more details”: This provides specific information about the content of the attachment.
- “The attached spreadsheet contains the data you requested”: This clearly states what the attachment contains and its relevance to the recipient.
- “Attached is the presentation we discussed”: This provides context for the attachment, reminding the recipient of a previous conversation.
Examples of Usage
The following tables provide a variety of examples of how to use “please see attached” and its alternatives in different contexts.
Table 1: Formal Examples
This table provides examples of formal usage, suitable for professional or academic communication.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| Please see attached the contract for your review. | Sending a contract to a client. |
| Please find attached the report detailing the project’s progress. | Providing a progress report to a supervisor. |
| Kindly refer to the attached document for further instructions. | Providing instructions to a team member. |
| The attached document provides further details regarding the upcoming conference. | Informing attendees about conference specifics. |
| Please see attached the minutes from our last meeting. | Distributing meeting minutes to participants. |
| Please find attached my resume for your consideration. | Applying for a job. |
| The attached invoice is for services rendered in July. | Sending an invoice to a client. |
| Please see attached the revised budget proposal. | Submitting a revised budget. |
| Please find attached the reference letter from my previous employer. | Providing a reference letter as part of an application. |
| Kindly refer to the attached terms and conditions. | Providing terms and conditions to a customer. |
| The attached document outlines the new company policy. | Announcing a new company policy. |
| Please see attached the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting. | Sharing the meeting agenda. |
| Please find attached the signed agreement. | Sending a signed agreement. |
| Kindly refer to the attached map for directions to the venue. | Providing directions to a location. |
| The attached document contains confidential information. | Highlighting the sensitivity of the attached file. |
| Please see attached the performance review. | Sharing a performance review with an employee. |
| Please find attached the project proposal. | Submitting a project proposal. |
| Kindly refer to the attached safety guidelines. | Providing safety guidelines to staff. |
| The attached document summarizes the research findings. | Presenting research findings. |
| Please see attached the letter of recommendation. | Offering a letter of recommendation. |
Table 2: Informal Examples
This table provides examples of informal usage, suitable for internal communication or when writing to someone you know well.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| See attached for the photos from the party. | Sharing photos with friends. |
| I’ve attached the document you asked for. | Providing a requested document. |
| The file is attached – let me know what you think. | Sharing a file and asking for feedback. |
| See attached – quick draft of the presentation. | Sharing a draft presentation. |
| I’ve attached the recipe we talked about. | Sharing a recipe. |
| The file is attached – hope it helps! | Offering assistance. |
| See attached – the updated schedule. | Sharing an updated schedule. |
| I’ve attached my notes from the meeting. | Sharing meeting notes. |
| The file is attached – check it out when you have a chance. | Sharing a file casually. |
| See attached – just a little something for you. | Sending a gift or token. |
| I’ve attached the video we made. | Sharing a video. |
| The file is attached – let me know if you have any questions. | Offering support. |
| See attached – the final version. | Sharing the final version of a document. |
| I’ve attached a funny meme. | Sharing humor. |
| The file is attached – it’s pretty big, so give it time to download. | Advising about the file size. |
| See attached – my weekend plans. | Sharing personal plans. |
| I’ve attached the spreadsheet with all the numbers. | Sharing data. |
| The file is attached – just a quick update. | Providing a brief update. |
| See attached – my latest artwork. | Sharing creative work. |
| I’ve attached the details for the upcoming event. | Providing event information. |
Table 3: Descriptive Examples
This table provides examples of descriptive usage, providing specific information about the attachment’s content.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| Please see the attached report for a detailed analysis of the market trends. | Providing a market analysis report. |
| The attached spreadsheet contains the data you requested for the sales projections. | Providing sales projection data. |
| Attached is the presentation we discussed during our last meeting on project strategies. | Referring to a specific presentation. |
| Please find the attached document outlining the new procedures for processing invoices. | Explaining new invoice processing procedures. |
| The attached images showcase the proposed designs for the new product line. | Presenting product designs. |
| Kindly refer to the attached guide for step-by-step instructions on using the software. | Providing software usage instructions. |
| Attached is the revised contract, highlighting the changes made based on our discussion. | Sending a revised contract with highlighted changes. |
| Please see the attached document for a comprehensive overview of the company’s financial performance. | Providing a financial performance overview. |
| The attached PDF contains the finalized agenda for the upcoming workshop. | Sharing the workshop agenda. |
| Attached is the survey questionnaire for gathering feedback on customer satisfaction. | Distributing a customer satisfaction survey. |
| Please see the attached brochure for more information about our services. | Providing information about services. |
| The attached document provides a summary of the key findings from the research study. | Summarizing research findings. |
| Attached is the link to the video tutorial demonstrating the product features. | Providing a video tutorial link. |
| Please find the attached presentation slides that were used during the training session. | Sharing training session slides. |
| The attached file includes the code snippets needed for implementing the new feature. | Providing code snippets. |
| Please see the attached map indicating the location of the event venue. | Providing a map to the event venue. |
| The attached document contains the list of attendees who have registered for the conference. | Sharing a conference attendee list. |
| Attached is the excel sheet comprising the sales data for the last quarter. | Providing sales data. |
| Please see the attached photo album of the company event. | Sharing photos from a company event. |
| The attached article discusses the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence. | Sharing an article about AI trends. |
Usage Rules
While the phrase “please see attached” is relatively simple, there are some important rules to follow to ensure correct and effective usage.
- Clarity: Always ensure that the attachment is actually included in the email. It seems obvious, but forgetting to attach the file is a common mistake.
- Placement: The phrase should typically be placed towards the end of the email body, just before your closing remarks. This allows the recipient to understand the context of the email before being directed to the attachment.
- Specificity: If you have multiple attachments, consider specifying which attachment you are referring to. For example, “Please see attached the budget spreadsheet and the project proposal.”
- Relevance: Ensure the attachment is relevant to the content of the email. Avoid including unnecessary attachments that may confuse or annoy the recipient.
- File Type: If the file type might be unusual or require a specific program to open, mention it. For example, “Please see attached the design file (in .PSD format).”
- Politeness: Always use “please” or a similarly polite word to soften the imperative tone of the phrase.
Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can undermine the effectiveness of “please see attached.” Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and ensure clear communication.
Table 4: Common Mistakes and Corrections
This table shows examples of common mistakes and how to correct them.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| See attached. | Please see attached. | Missing the polite “please” makes the request sound abrupt. |
| Please see attached, let me know if you have any questions. | Please see attached. Let me know if you have any questions. | Avoid combining the phrase with other sentences. Keep them separate. |
| Please see attached for more information. (No attachment) | (Attach the file) Please see attached for more information. | The most common mistake: forgetting to attach the file. |
| Please find attached the document, it is very important. | Please find attached the document. It is very important. | Separate the statement about importance into a new sentence. |
| Attached please see the report. | Please see attached the report. | Incorrect word order. The correct order is “please see attached.” |
| Please see attached the file. | Please see attached the file. (Optional: Specify the file name) | While grammatically correct, specifying the file name improves clarity (e.g., “Please see attached the ‘Project Proposal.pdf’ file.”) |
| Please see attached, I hope you like it! | Please see attached. I hope you like it! | Keep the attachment notification separate from personal comments. |
| Please find attached. | Please find attached the [document name]. | Always specify what is attached. Don’t leave it ambiguous. |
| Please see attached the report.docx and the presentation.pptx. | Please see attached the report.docx and the presentation.pptx. (Optional: Mention their purpose) | While correct, adding context improves clarity (e.g., “Please see attached the report.docx summarizing the findings and the presentation.pptx outlining the recommendations.”) |
| Please see the attached. | Please see the attached [document name]. | Always specify what is attached. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “please see attached” with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| See attached, let me know what you think. | Please see attached. Let me know what you think. |
| Please find attached, it’s important. | Please find attached. It’s important. |
| Attached please see the document. | Please see attached the document. |
| Please see the attached. | Please see the attached [document name]. |
| Please see attached the file, I hope you like it. | Please see attached the file. I hope you like it. |
| Please see attached. (No attachment) | (Attach the file) Please see attached. |
| Please find attached, tell me what you think. | Please find attached. Tell me what you think. |
| Please see attached, any questions? | Please see attached. Any questions? |
| See attached the report. | Please see attached the report. |
| Attached is the file. | Please see attached the file. |
Exercise 2: Choose the Best Phrase
Select the most appropriate phrase for each context.
| Context | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a contract to a client. | a) See attached b) Please see attached c) I’ve attached | b) Please see attached |
| Sharing photos with a friend. | a) Please find attached b) See attached c) Kindly refer to the attached | b) See attached |
| Providing instructions to a team member. | a) Kindly refer to the attached document b) I’ve attached c) See attached | a) Kindly refer to the attached document |
| Sharing a draft presentation with a colleague. | a) Please see attached b) I’ve attached c) See attached | c) See attached |
| Submitting a project proposal to a supervisor. | a) Please see attached b) See attached c) I attached | a) Please see attached |
| Sending an invoice to a client. | a) Attached please find b) Please see attached c) See attached | b) Please see attached |
| Sharing meeting notes with coworkers. | a) Please see attached b) I’ve attached c) See attached | c) See attached |
| Providing directions to a venue to guests. | a) Kindly refer to the attached map b) See attached c) Please see attached | a) Kindly refer to the attached map |
| Sharing a funny meme with a friend. | a) Please see attached b) See attached c) Kindly refer to the attached | b) See attached |
| Providing a reference letter for a former employee. | a) See attached b) Please see attached c) I’ve attached | b) Please see attached |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of using “please see attached” and related phrases.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that the level of formality expected in email communication can vary across different cultures. Research the appropriate tone for communicating with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
- Accessibility: When creating attachments, ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. Use appropriate formatting, alt text for images, and provide transcripts for audio or video content.
- Email Thread Context: In an ongoing email thread, it may be redundant to use “please see attached” repeatedly. Consider referencing the attachment in a more concise way, such as “As mentioned in my previous email, the report is attached.”
- Automated Systems: Be mindful of how automated systems, such as email filters or scanners, might interpret the phrase “please see attached.” Ensure that your emails are properly formatted to avoid being flagged as spam or phishing attempts.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “please see attached.”
- Is “please see attached” always necessary?
While not always strictly necessary, it is generally a good practice to use “please see attached” or a similar phrase to ensure that the recipient is aware of the attachment. This is especially important in formal or professional communication.
- Can I use “please find attached” instead of “please see attached”?
Yes, “please find attached” is a perfectly acceptable alternative and is often considered slightly more formal. Both phrases convey the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.
- What if I have multiple attachments?
If you have multiple attachments, you can either list them individually (e.g., “Please see attached the report and the presentation”) or use a general statement (e.g., “Please see the attached documents”). It is helpful to briefly describe the content of each attachment.
- Is it rude to say “see attached” without “please”?
In formal or professional communication, omitting “please” can sound abrupt or impolite. It is generally best to use “please see attached” or a similar polite phrase. However, in informal communication with close colleagues or friends, “see attached” may be acceptable.
- What should I do if I forget to attach the file?
If you forget to attach the file, send a follow-up email as soon as possible. Apologize for the oversight and include the attachment. You can say something like, “Please accept my apologies. I forgot to attach the file in my previous email. It is included below.”
- How can I make my email more engaging when including attachments?
Instead of just saying “please see attached,” provide a brief summary of what the attachment contains and why it is relevant to the recipient. This can pique their interest and encourage them to review the attachment promptly.
- Can I use “please see attached” in a printed letter?
While “please see attached” is primarily used in electronic communication, you can adapt it for printed letters. For example, you could say “Please find enclosed” or “Enclosed you will find” to refer to the attached documents.
- Is there a more modern alternative to “please see attached”?
While “please see attached” remains a standard and widely understood phrase, you can use alternatives like “I’ve included,” “You’ll find attached,” or simply state the purpose of the attached document directly. The key is to be clear and concise.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “please see attached” and its alternatives is a fundamental aspect of effective email communication. By understanding the grammar, structure, and usage rules, you can ensure that your emails are clear, concise, and professional. Avoid common mistakes, practice using different phrases, and tailor your message to the specific context and recipient.
Remember that clarity and politeness are key to successful communication. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can confidently use “please see attached” and its variations to enhance your email etiquette and improve your overall communication skills. Continue to practice and refine your writing to achieve excellence in all your professional and personal correspondence.