The holidays are officially upon us, which means two things: tying up loose ends at work and pretending we’re not already thinking about stuffing. 🦃

As we juggle year-end deadlines and travel plans, it’s a good time to bring a little extra kindness (and clarity) into our communication, especially over email.

Keep reading to learn the top 10 email phrases that people hate the most, and what to say instead. 📩

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10 Cringiest Email Phrases

According to a recent survey, certain phrases we use in work emails are triggering real stress, passive aggression, and even burnout.

No shade if you’ve said some of these (we all have)! But consider this your notice to retire the corporate cringe and level up your email game. 💪

Let’s walk through each cringe-worthy phrase, explain why it’s a problem, and offer kinder, clearer alternatives that actually build connection and trust!

1. Need this ASAP

👎 Why it backfires: Vague urgency can come across as demanding or stressful, leaving the recipient unsure of priorities.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Can you please prioritize this by (specific time or date)?

• I’d appreciate it if this could be completed by (time).

2. Can we chat?

👎 Why it backfires: It sends people’s anxiety through the roof. It’s vague, sounds like bad news, and forces the other person to imagine every possible thing they did wrong before they even know what the conversation is about.

💭 Say this instead:

• Do you have 10 minutes today to talk about (specific topic)?

• I’d love to sync on (topic), does (time) work for you?

3. Per my last email

👎 Why it backfires: It can sound passive-aggressive, making the recipient feel called out for not reading or following instructions, which often creates tension instead of clarity.

💭 Say this instead: 

• As mentioned in my previous email

• Here’s the info again, you can see it on (page/paragraph)

4. Action required

👎 Why it backfires: It sounds like a command and can create unnecessary stress, making the email feel urgent or scary, even if the task is simple or optional.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Next steps for (task)

• Here’s what’s needed to move (project) forward

5. Following up again

👎 Why it backfires: It can come across as impatient or passive-aggressive, implying the recipient is ignoring you rather than just busy.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Just checking in on (topic), let me know if you need any additional info.

• Wanted to touch base regarding (topic) and see if there’s an update.

6. Let’s take this offline

👎 Why it backfires: It can feel cryptic and dismissive, like you’re shutting someone down or avoiding the topic in front of others, which may create confusion or frustration.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Let’s review this together. When’s a good time to connect?

• Can we discuss this one-on-one to make sure we’re aligned?

7. Not sure if you saw this

👎 Why it backfires: It can feel snarky or imply the recipient isn’t paying attention, which may create tension.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Just wanted to bring this to your attention in case it got buried.

• Following up to make sure you had a chance to see this.

8. Please advise

👎 Why it backfires: It can feel abrupt or vague, leaving the recipient unsure of what kind of response you actually need.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Could you let me know your thoughts on (topic)?

• What’s your recommendation for next steps on (topic)?

9. Friendly reminder

👎 Why it backfires: It can feel condescending, implying the recipient forgot something they were supposed to do.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Just a quick note about (task), thanks for taking a look.

• Quick reminder that (task) is due on (date). Let me know if you need anything from me.

10. Circling back

👎 Why it backfires: It can feel vague or overused, leaving the recipient unsure if any action is actually needed or why you’re bringing it up again.

💭 Say this instead: 

• Following up on our conversation about (topic) on (date). Do you have any updates?

• Wanted to touch base on (topic) to keep things moving forward. Can I help?

Quick Tips to Clean Up Your Emails

• Avoid unnecessary pressure: Skip command-like phrasing or urgent language that isn’t truly urgent.

• Respect boundaries: Limit after-hours emails; use scheduled sends to honor work-life balance.

• Encourage tone-checking: AI tools can help catch wording that might be misread. Focus on clarity and authenticity!

• Notice what makes you cringe: Eliminate phrases that stress others. Small changes build trust and reduce inbox anxiety.

Are there any other email phrases that make you cringe? Hit ‘Reply’ and let us know!

Which of the cringiest email phrases would you “Hire, Fire, or Promote”? We break it down on this episode of Two Cents!

Tune in on YouTube below, or on your preferred podcast platform here!

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