In professional communication, especially in email, few phrases are used as frequently—and sometimes as awkwardly—as “bring to your attention.” It serves an important role: guiding someone toward essential information, highlighting concerns, or pointing out details that require their acknowledgement. Yet when repeated too often, it can come across as overly direct, formulaic, or slightly abrupt.
This comprehensive guide provides 40+ polite, formal, and natural alternatives to “bring to your attention.” Each option includes examples, tonal notes, and best-fit scenarios—ensuring you select the right phrase for every context.
Formal Alternatives to “Bring to Your Attention”
(Each includes meaning, explanation, example, tone, best use, worst use.)
1. “I would like to highlight…”
Meaning: Emphasize something important.
Explanation: Signals importance without sounding urgent or abrupt.
Example: “I would like to highlight a change in the project timeline.”
Tone: Professional, calm.
Best Use: Strategic updates, project changes.
Worst Use: Minor or trivial information.
2. “May I draw your attention to…”
Meaning: Politely request focus on a specific issue.
Explanation: Softens directives; ideal for senior audiences.
Example: “May I draw your attention to the compliance requirement listed in section 3.”
Tone: Highly formal.
Best Use: Legal, academic, executive communication.
Worst Use: Internal team chats.
3. “I would like to inform you of…”
Meaning: Provide an important fact or update.
Explanation: Direct but respectful.
Example: “I would like to inform you of a revision to tomorrow’s agenda.”
Tone: Formal, neutral.
Best Use: Announcements, changes, notifications.
Worst Use: When sharing opinions.
4. “Please be advised…”
Meaning: Provide authoritative information.
Explanation: Sounds official; commonly used in policies or formal notices.
Example: “Please be advised that the system will be down from 6–9 PM.”
Tone: Formal, firm.
Best Use: Compliance, legal, HR communication.
Worst Use: Conversational emails.
5. “I would like to call your attention to…”
Meaning: Request someone to notice an issue.
Explanation: Very formal; good for high-stakes matters.
Example: “I would like to call your attention to the discrepancies found in the audit report.”
Tone: High-level, authoritative.
Best Use: Reports, official letters.
Worst Use: Everyday team updates.
6. “Please note…”
Meaning: Indicate something the recipient must remember.
Explanation: Short, efficient, professional.
Example: “Please note that the deadline has been extended.”
Tone: Professional, concise.
Best Use: General business communication.
Worst Use: Sensitive matters requiring tact.
7. “For your awareness…”
Meaning: Share information without demanding action.
Explanation: Signals that no immediate response is required.
Example: “For your awareness, we received the final approval today.”
Tone: Neutral formal.
Best Use: FYI-style messages.
Worst Use: Urgent issues.
8. “For your consideration…”
Meaning: Present information for review or decision-making.
Explanation: Excellent for proposals.
Example: “For your consideration, I’ve attached three vendor options.”
Tone: Diplomatic.
Best Use: Recommendations, proposals.
Worst Use: Basic updates.
9. “I wish to underline…”
Meaning: Emphasize significance.
Explanation: Adds sophistication and seriousness.
Example: “I wish to underline the need for early budget approval.”
Tone: Formal, emphatic.
Best Use: Reports, discussions requiring emphasis.
Worst Use: Casual workplace communication.
10. “This may require your attention.”
Meaning: Signals importance or urgency.
Explanation: Respectfully directs focus without sounding demanding.
Example: “This may require your attention before final submission.”
Tone: Formal, cautionary.
Best Use: Problems, risks, deadlines.
Worst Use: Non-actionable information.
Semi-Formal & Neutral Alternatives
1. “I’d like to make you aware…”
Meaning: Inform someone politely.
Example: “I’d like to make you aware of a scheduling conflict next week.”
2. “I’d like to share an important update…”
Meaning: Introduce new information.
Example: “I’d like to share an important update regarding the rollout.”
3. “I’d like to mention…”
Meaning: Bring up a relevant point.
Example: “I’d like to mention that the invoice is still pending.”
4. “Kindly note the following…”
Meaning: Softly instruct attention.
Example: “Kindly note the following changes to the agenda.”
5. “For your review…”
Meaning: Provide material for examination.
Example: “For your review, I’ve attached the updated proposal.”
6. “For your awareness…”
Meaning: Soft FYI.
Example: “For your awareness, the vendor has confirmed delivery.”
7. “You may wish to review…”
Meaning: Suggest but not demand.
Example: “You may wish to review the updated scope document.”
8. “This is worth noting…”
Meaning: Recommend attention.
Example: “This is worth noting as we finalize the timeline.”
9. “A point to keep in mind is…”
Meaning: Provide reminder.
Example: “A point to keep in mind is that budgets reset Friday.”
10. “Let me outline…”
Meaning: Introduce key information.
Example: “Let me outline the next steps so we stay aligned.”
Informal / Casual Alternatives
- Just a heads-up
- I wanted to flag something
- FYI
- Just so you’re aware
- Quick note
- Wanted to point something out
- Heads-up on this
- Worth mentioning
Industry-Specific Variations
Business
- “I’d like to highlight a key operational update…”
Corporate
- “Please be advised of the following organizational changes…”
Academic
- “May I draw your attention to the revised submission guidelines…”
Customer Service
- “For your awareness, your request has been escalated…”
Legal
- “Please note the statutory requirements outlined in section 12…”
Email Communication
- “I’d like to bring forward an important clarification…”
Professional Email Examples
1. Subject: Important Project Update
Hi Maria,
I would like to highlight a change in the implementation schedule. The updated timeline is attached.
Best regards,
James
2. Subject: Policy Revision Notice
Dear Team,
Please be advised that the new compliance guidelines will take effect on Monday.
Kind regards,
Elena
3. Subject: Review Requested
Hello Daniel,
For your review, I’ve attached the final vendor comparison sheet.
Thanks,
Rachel
4. Subject: Required Documentation
Dear Mr. Phillips,
May I draw your attention to the missing signature on the final page of the agreement?
Sincerely,
Jonathan
5. Subject: Quick Clarification Needed
Hi Alicia,
I’d like to mention that the onboarding meeting has moved to 3 PM.
Thanks,
Liam
6. Subject: Update on Your Request
Hi Jordan,
For your awareness, we have escalated the issue to Tier 2 support.
Best,
Maya
Short Dialogue Examples
A: “I didn’t see the revised slides.”
B: “No problem—I’d like to highlight that they’re now in the shared folder.”
A: “Is the client ready for launch?”
B: “Just to note, they requested two final changes.”
A: “Where’s the updated file?”
B: “For your awareness, I uploaded it this morning.”
A: “Did we finish the audit?”
B: “I want to make you aware that the final report is ready.”
A: “Anything urgent today?”
B: “Yes—this may require your attention before noon.”
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I would like to highlight | Formal | Important updates | “I would like to highlight the new timeline.” |
| May I draw your attention to | Very formal | Legal, executive | “May I draw your attention to clause 6.” |
| Please note | Neutral-Formal | General reminders | “Please note the meeting time change.” |
| I’d like to mention | Neutral | Minor updates | “I’d like to mention a small change.” |
| For your awareness | Neutral | FYI messages | “For your awareness, approval was granted.” |
| I’d like to flag | Semi-formal | Risks or warnings | “I’d like to flag a scheduling issue.” |
| Quick note | Informal | Team chats | “Quick note—we start at 9.” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sounding accusatory (“You didn’t notice…”)
- Using overly formal phrases in casual contexts
- Overloading the email with too many highlighted points
- Using dramatic language for simple updates
- Repeating the same phrase multiple times
- Using “urgent” unnecessarily
- Being vague about what needs attention
When NOT to Use These Phrases
- When the information is extremely obvious
- When the recipient already acknowledged it
- When you are giving instructions (not highlighting something)
- When it could imply blame or oversight
- In rapid back-and-forth chats where brevity is expected
- When tone needs to be ultra casual
FAQs
1. Is “bring to your attention” outdated?
Not outdated, but it can sound rigid or repetitive.
2. What’s the most professional alternative?
“I would like to highlight…” or “May I draw your attention to…”
3. What’s the softest version?
“For your awareness…” or “Kindly note…”
4. Can I use these phrases with clients?
Yes—especially the formal or semi-formal options.
5. What’s the best phrase for urgent matters?
“This may require your attention.”
6. What about internal team updates?
Neutral options like “Quick note” or “I wanted to flag…”
7. Are these suitable for academic writing?
Yes—phrases like “May I draw your attention to” work well.
DISCOVER MORE AERTICLES
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