In professional communication, how you ask for an action often matters as much as what you ask. The phrase “please forward this email” is common, but overuse—or improper tone—can make your message sound abrupt, vague, or insufficiently professional, especially in corporate, academic, or legal environments.
Using refined and context-appropriate alternatives helps convey respect, clarity, and authority. Whether you’re requesting assistance from a colleague, delegating a task, or coordinating with external stakeholders, choosing the right wording ensures your request is received positively. This article explores formal, semi-formal, and casual alternatives to “please forward this email,” complete with explanations, examples, tone guidance, and best-use scenarios.
🎓 Formal Alternatives to “Please Forward This Email”
1. Kindly forward this message
- Meaning: A polite request to pass the email onward
- Explanation: Uses formal courtesy language
- Example: Kindly forward this message to the finance department.
- Best Use: Corporate, senior-level communication
- Worst Use: Casual team chats
- Tone: Polite, formal
2. I would appreciate it if you could forward this email
- Meaning: A courteous request expressing gratitude
- Explanation: Softens the request while remaining professional
- Example: I would appreciate it if you could forward this email to the project team.
- Best Use: Client or cross-department emails
- Worst Use: Urgent instructions
- Tone: Respectful, formal
3. Please circulate this email
- Meaning: Request to share with multiple recipients
- Explanation: Common in corporate settings
- Example: Please circulate this email among all stakeholders.
- Best Use: Internal announcements
- Worst Use: One-on-one communication
- Tone: Professional, authoritative
4. Kindly pass this message along
- Meaning: Ask someone to forward information
- Explanation: Slightly warmer formal tone
- Example: Kindly pass this message along to your team.
- Best Use: Team coordination
- Worst Use: Legal documentation
- Tone: Polite, semi-formal
5. Please relay this email to the concerned party
- Meaning: Forward to a specific relevant person
- Explanation: Adds clarity and professionalism
- Example: Please relay this email to the concerned party for review.
- Best Use: HR, operations
- Worst Use: Casual emails
- Tone: Formal
6. Kindly ensure this email is forwarded
- Meaning: Emphasizes responsibility
- Explanation: Suggests importance
- Example: Kindly ensure this email is forwarded to management.
- Best Use: Compliance-related matters
- Worst Use: Friendly conversations
- Tone: Formal, directive
7. Please distribute this email accordingly
- Meaning: Forward based on relevance
- Explanation: Indicates structured dissemination
- Example: Please distribute this email accordingly to your teams.
- Best Use: Corporate updates
- Worst Use: Informal communication
- Tone: Formal
8. I request that you forward this email
- Meaning: Direct formal request
- Explanation: Clear and authoritative
- Example: I request that you forward this email to the board members.
- Best Use: Legal, executive contexts
- Worst Use: Friendly team emails
- Tone: Very formal
9. Kindly disseminate this message
- Meaning: Spread information officially
- Explanation: Common in formal notices
- Example: Kindly disseminate this message to all departments.
- Best Use: Policy updates
- Worst Use: Informal settings
- Tone: Highly formal
10. Please forward this correspondence
- Meaning: Share formal written communication
- Explanation: Suitable for official records
- Example: Please forward this correspondence to legal counsel.
- Best Use: Legal, compliance
- Worst Use: Casual emails
- Tone: Formal
🟡 Semi-Formal & Neutral Alternatives to “Please Forward This Email”
1. Please share this email
- Meaning: Simple request to forward
- Example: Please share this email with the team.
- Tone: Neutral
2. Could you forward this email?
- Meaning: Polite question-form request
- Example: Could you forward this email to HR?
- Tone: Polite, neutral
3. Please pass this along
- Meaning: Informal-forwarding request
- Example: Please pass this along to your manager.
- Tone: Friendly-professional
4. Please send this to the relevant person
- Meaning: Clear but neutral
- Example: Please send this to the relevant person for approval.
- Tone: Neutral
5. Please forward the details below
- Meaning: Direct but professional
- Example: Please forward the details below to the vendor.
- Tone: Neutral-professional
6. Please forward this to the relevant team
- Meaning: Request to share the email with the appropriate group
- Example: Please forward this to the relevant team for review.
- Tone: Neutral, professional
7. Please share this with the appropriate party
- Meaning: Ask the recipient to forward the message responsibly
- Example: Please share this with the appropriate party at your convenience.
- Tone: Polite, neutral
8. Please forward this as needed
- Meaning: Allows discretion in forwarding
- Example: Please forward this as needed to those involved.
- Tone: Neutral, considerate
9. Please pass this information along
- Meaning: Informal-neutral forwarding request
- Example: Please pass this information along to your colleagues.
- Tone: Semi-formal, friendly
10. Please ensure this message reaches the right person
- Meaning: Emphasizes correct delivery rather than action
- Example: Please ensure this message reaches the right person for approval.
- Tone: Neutral, courteous
🟢 Informal or Casual Alternatives
- Can you forward this email?
- Please send this on
- Forward this when you can
- Please share this
- Can you pass this along?
🏢 Industry-Specific Variations
Business
- Please circulate this email among stakeholders.
Corporate
- Kindly distribute this communication accordingly.
Academic
- Please forward this email to the academic committee.
Customer Service
- Kindly share this email with the appropriate team.
Legal
- Please forward this correspondence for legal review.
Email Communication
- Please relay this message at your earliest convenience.
📩 Email Examples (Very Important)
Example 1
Subject: Policy Update
Hi Sarah,
Kindly forward this message to all department heads.
Thank you.
Example 2
Subject: Budget Review
Dear Mark,
I would appreciate it if you could forward this email to the finance team.
Best regards.
Example 3
Subject: Client Request
Hello Anna,
Please relay this email to the concerned party for further action.
Regards.
Example 4
Subject: Training Schedule
Hi Team,
Please circulate this email among your respective teams.
Thanks.
Example 5
Subject: Legal Documentation
Dear Mr. Hayes,
Please forward this correspondence to your legal advisor.
Sincerely.
🗣️ Short Dialogue Examples
- A: “Should I inform HR?”
B: “Yes, please forward this email to them.” - A: “The client needs this.”
B: “Kindly pass this message along.” - A: “Who should see this?”
B: “Please relay it to management.” - A: “Is everyone informed?”
B: “Please circulate the email.” - A: “Can you help?”
B: “I’d appreciate it if you could forward this email.”
📊 Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindly forward this message | Formal | Corporate | Kindly forward this message to HR |
| Please share this email | Neutral | Team communication | Please share this email with staff |
| Please circulate this email | Formal | Announcements | Please circulate this email company-wide |
| Can you forward this email? | Casual | Internal | Can you forward this email? |
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sounding commanding without politeness
- Using casual phrases in formal contexts
- Omitting who the email should be forwarded to
- Repeating the same phrase excessively
- Using vague instructions
- Forgetting “please” in professional emails
🚫 When NOT to Use This Phrase
- When forwarding automatically via CC
- When authority hierarchy makes it inappropriate
- In legal notices without clarity
- When urgency requires direct action
❓ FAQs
1. Is “please forward this email” professional?
Yes, but it can sound basic or repetitive.
2. What is the most formal alternative?
“I request that you forward this email.”
3. Can I use these with clients?
Yes, especially formal and semi-formal options.
4. Should I always say “please”?
In professional emails, yes—it adds politeness.
5. Is “kindly” more formal than “please”?
Yes, “kindly” sounds more formal.
6. Can I omit the phrase entirely?
Only if context already implies forwarding.
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