12 Polite Alternatives to Please Advise!

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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Polite Alternatives to Please Advise: When looking for courteous ways to request information or feedback without using the phrase “Please advise,” there are several polite alternatives available.

In this article, we will explore 12 different phrases that you can use in professional communication settings instead of resorting to the overused and potentially off-putting term “Please advise.”

By incorporating these alternative expressions into your emails or conversations, you can enhance your communication skills and maintain a respectful tone while seeking guidance or input from others.

Table of Contents

Polite Alternatives to Please Advise:

“Please advise” is a perfectly good phrase, but there are certainly more nuanced ways to ask for information! Here are 12 polite alternatives:

I would appreciate your thoughts on.(Shows respect for their expertise)

Could you provide some guidance on.(Requests direction)
I would be grateful if you could advise on the best course of action for. (More formal way to ask for advice)
In your experience, what has been the most effective approach to.(Leverages their past knowledge)

What do you think about.(Casual way to ask for an opinion)
Any suggestions for.(Open-ended way to gather ideas)
Just wondering your take on.(Informal way to ask for their perspective)

Have you had any experience with.(Seeks information based on their past)
Could you clarify.(Seeks explanation)
I need some help understanding.(Direct request for clarification)

What are the next steps for.(Seeks information on the process)
Is there anything else I should be aware of regarding.(Ensures comprehensive understanding)

Please Advise or Advice:

The correct phrase is “Please advise” (with a verb) when you’re making a request.

“Advice” (with a noun) is used when you’re referring to the information or suggestion itself, not the act of giving it.

Here’s a breakdown:

Use “Please advise” when you want someone to give you guidance or information on something.

Use “advice” when you’re talking about the suggestion itself. For example, “I followed your advice and it worked perfectly.”

Please Advise on This Matter:

The phrase “Please advise on this matter” is a formal way to ask for someone’s opinion or recommendation on a situation. It’s grammatically correct, but depending on the context, it can sound a bit:

Stiff: In informal settings, it might come across as overly formal or impersonal.

Passive-aggressive: In some business contexts, it can be interpreted as a way of putting pressure on someone to respond without directly asking a question.

Please Advise on How to Proceed with This Matter:

The phrase “Please advise on how to proceed with this matter” is perfectly acceptable! It clearly conveys that you’re seeking guidance on the next steps in a situation.

Here’s a breakdown of what it means:

Please Advise: This politely requests guidance or a recommendation.
How to Proceed: This specifies you’re looking for advice on the next course of action.
This Matter: This refers to the specific situation you’re facing.

While grammatically correct and clear, depending on the context you might consider a slightly different approach:

More formal:

“I would be grateful if you could advise on the best course of action for this matter.”

“In your experience, what has been the most effective approach to similar situations?”

Less formal:

“What do you think the next steps should be here?”

“Any suggestions on how to move forward with this?”

Is Please Advise Formal or Informal?

“Please advise” leans more towards the formal side of communication.

Here’s why:

Formal language: The phrasing itself uses formal vocabulary (“advise”) and a polite request structure (“Please”).
Conciseness: It’s a short and direct way to ask for information, which is a common trait of formal communication.

However:

Modern perception: In some business settings, “please advise” can be seen as a bit old-fashioned or even slightly passive-aggressive. It can come across as demanding a response without being specific about what information is needed.
Context matters: The formality of “please advise” can be influenced by the context. In a very formal setting, like a legal document, it might be perfectly appropriate. On the other hand, in a casual email exchange with a colleague, it might sound a bit out of place.

What Is a Synonym for Please Advise?

Formal	Description	Example
I would appreciate your thoughts on.	Shows respect for their expertise	I would appreciate your thoughts on how to proceed with the marketing campaign.
Could you provide some guidance on.?	Requests direction	Could you provide some guidance on the best practices for this project?
I would be grateful if you could advise on the best course of action for.	More formal way to ask for adviceI would be grateful if you could advise on the best course of action for handling this client complaint.
In your experience, what has been the most effective approach to.	Leverages their past knowledge	In your experience, what has been the most effective approach to resolving similar issues?

What Is Another Word for Advise or Inform?

Meaning	Formal	Informal
Give knowledge or guidance	Instruct, educate, apprise, brief, direct	Tell, show, clue in, fill in, tip off
Recommend a course of action	Counsel, suggest, recommend, advocate for	Suggest, propose, recommend
Let someone know	Notify, alert, inform, communicate	Tell, let know, heads up
Offer an opinion	Recommend, suggest, opine	Think, reckon (British informal), guess
Clarify information	Explain, elucidate, expound	Break down, explain clearly