What Does “Please Advise” Mean? How to Use This Professional Phrase

“Please advise” is a common, formal phrase that you typically use in professional emails. This phrase is a professional way to ask for guidance or information, but can sometimes sound redundant or even rude. Luckily, there are lots of different formal and casual ways to ask for a colleague’s advice. In this article, we’ll go over the meaning of “Please advise,” explain if it’s appropriate to use, and provide you with lots of alternative phrases for any situation. Read on to learn more!

“Please Advise” Quick Definition

“Please advise” is a polite phrase that’s used to ask for guidance, information, instructions, or feedback. It's frequently used at the end of professional emails as a sign-off and to indicate the sender expects a response. Formal alternatives include “Can you please provide guidance” or “May I get your advice?”

Section 1 of 8:

The Meaning of “Please Advise”

Download Article

“Please advise” is a way to ask someone for guidance or information. “Please advise” is a common, formal phrase that you typically use in professional emails. You usually use it to mean that you want a response from someone, whether you’re asking for their guidance, an answer to a question, further information about something, instructions on how to do something, or their input or opinion about something.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Basically, “Please advise” is another way to say that you want help.
- Example sentences:
  - Hello John,
    I still haven’t heard back about the project report, and the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Please advise.
    Daniela
  - Dear Valerie,
    The client I spoke to yesterday is interested in working with us but concerned about our prices. What can I tell him? Please advise.
    Luka

Section 2 of 8:

When to Use “Please Advise”

Download Article

Write “Please advise” at the end of professional emails as a sign off. Most people write “Please advise” at the end of their email to emphasize that they’re expecting a response to a question or request they made. Since “Please advise” is a formal phrase that’s primarily associated with business communications, stick to using it in professional emails to coworkers, colleagues, and clients at work.
- While it’s more common to write “Please advise” at the end of emails, you can also write it in the body of your email or even in the subject line. For example, you might include a subject that says "Upcoming Office Order Placement: Please Advise."

Section 3 of 8:

Is it rude to say “please advise” in an email?

Download Article

“Please advise” is a polite phrase, but it may come off rude at times. “Please advise” is meant to be a formal, polite, and professional way to request guidance or information from someone. However, people often use the phrase in a passive-aggressive way to imply that they haven’t received the help they need and to forcefully demand a response. So, it can sometimes sound harsh or rude.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Sending someone “Please advise” can also sound like you’re pushing responsibilities onto them, which can come across as rude.
- “Please advise” is also a very common phrase that’s become an email-writing cliché. Because you usually write it after you ask a question or make a request, it can appear redundant or unnecessary to your recipient. This can make your email sound passive-aggressive or rude.
- Luckily, there are more polite and direct ways to say “Please advise.” We’ll provide you with formal alternatives and casual alternatives in the sections below!

Section 4 of 8:

Formal Alternatives to “Please Advise”

Download Article

1
“Can you please provide guidance?” Use this phrase to ask your coworkers, colleagues, or boss for their advice on how to do a task or handle an issue. Or, use it to ask for instructions on how to do something. Just be specific about what you want guidance on so they know how best to help you.
- Example: “I’m putting the finishing touches on the project proposal. Can you please provide guidance on how to submit it?”
- Note: It’s a great idea to use an alternative to “Please advise” because this phrase can sound unclear or even come across as rude. It’s also an overused expression, so alternative phrases can help your email sound more genuine and polite.
2
“May I get your advice?” This phrase is a polite and professional way to ask for a colleague’s opinions, suggestions, or guidance. For instance, you might use it when you want advice about how to fix a problem, tackle a challenging project, or handle your responsibilities.
- Example: “May I get your advice on how best to update the website? I’m not sure what the most efficient approach would be.”
3
“I would appreciate your input.” If you want your colleague's or boss’ expert opinion about how to proceed with a task or respond to an issue, use this phrase in your email. This is a polite way to ask for their help or feedback and show that you value their experience and perspective.
- Example: “The customer is upset because they still haven’t received their shipment. I would appreciate your input on how best to respond to them.”
4
“Please share your recommendations.” This professional phrase is a great way to ask a colleague about how to handle a task or challenge. You typically use it when you want to know the best course of action and to get instructions on how to proceed. As a plus, it demonstrates that you hold their expertise and opinions in high regard.
- Example: “I’ve put together some notes for the presentation next week. Please share your recommendations about how best to organize the presentation.”
5
“Can you please provide further information?” Use this professional and respectful phrase when you want to learn more about something, whether you’re asking a customer to explain an issue they’re having or requesting a vendor to tell you more about their services. Or, use this email phrase to indicate that you’re looking for a specific answer to a question.
- Example: “Thank you for submitting a ticket with us. Can you please provide further information about the technical issues you’re having?”
6
“Please provide further instructions when you can.” If you’re unclear about how to do an assignment or use a new program that your company just implemented, send this phrase. This is a polite and professional way to let your coworkers or boss know that you’re waiting on their guidance to finish a task.
- Example: “I just submitted the requested forms for your review. Please provide further instructions when you can.”
7
“Please let me know your thoughts.” Using this phrase in your email is a respectful way to tell your coworker, colleague, or boss that you’d like to get their opinion, perspective, or advice about something. For instance, you might use this when you want their feedback on a project you proposed or guidance about how to respond to a customer complaint.
- Example: “I changed some details about the marketing plan we’re rolling out next month. Please let me know your thoughts about the changes.”
8
“Please get back to me when you can.” Add this phrase to the end of your email to let your coworkers or colleagues know that you’re awaiting their response about a question or request you made. This phrase is less forceful than “Please advise,” as it makes it clear that you know your colleague is busy—you simply want them to get back to you at their earliest convenience.
- Example: “Were you able to locate those files that I requested? Please get back to me when you can.”
9
“I look forward to your response.” This phrase is a friendly and professional way to let a coworker, colleague, or client know that you’re waiting for their response about something. It’s a warmer phrase than “Please advise,” as you’re telling the recipient that you’re excited to hear back from them.
- Example: “Please let me know when you are able to meet next week. I look forward to your response.”
10
“Please keep me informed.” If you’re not looking for a specific response from someone, use this phrase at the end of your email. This is a polite way to tell a colleague to keep you updated about any changes or new information about something, like the status of a project.
- Example: “I’m glad to hear the project is on track. Please keep me informed if anything changes.”

Section 5 of 8:

Casual Alternatives to “Please Advise”

Download Article

1
“What do you recommend?” When you want specific advice or guidance about how to handle a project or problem, send this phrase in your email. This is a quick and direct way to tell your colleagues that you’re looking for the best course of action and want their suggestions on how to proceed.
- Example: “I’m not sure if it’d be better to have the meeting in person or virtually. What do you recommend?”
- Note: While these phrases are more casual than the formal alternatives above, they’re still acceptable phrases to use in professional emails. Just stick to using them with colleagues and clients you know well or in quick, informal emails.
2
“What do you think?” Use this casual expression when you want to gather opinions, perspectives, or advice from your coworkers or colleagues. Just be specific about what you want their thoughts on, like a project you’re proposing or how to fix an issue.
- Example: “I was planning on getting IT involved to see what the issue with the software is. What do you think?”
3
“What are the next steps?” This is a casual phrase to use in the workplace when you want instructions about how to proceed with a task. Emailing this to your coworkers or colleagues makes it clear that you’re waiting on their directions to complete an assignment or job.
- Example: “I finished the assessment with the client and they’re ready to work with us. What are the next steps in the intake process?”
4
“I’d like to hear your suggestions.” If you’re looking for a warm and friendly way to ask for a colleague's recommendations or opinions, use this phrase. This is a great way to request their guidance and let them know that you value their ideas.
- Example: “I drafted a proposal for next year’s fundraiser. I’d like to hear your suggestions and see how it could be improved.”
5
“What should I do?” If you’re not sure how to complete an assignment or deal with an issue, simply ask your coworkers or boss for their guidance. This is a direct way to tell them that you’re looking for specific instructions and advice before you complete the task at hand.
- Example: “I opened the Excel file but I’m unable to edit it. What should I do?”
6
“Can you help me?” Sometimes, the best way to get guidance or information from someone is to simply ask for their help. In your email, make sure to specify exactly what you want help on and how your coworker or boss can help you. For instance, you might want a demonstration on how to use a new piece of software.
- Example: “I’m a bit confused about how to access the documents for this case. Can you help me? I’d like to see how you find and open them.”
7
“Please let me know.” This common and casual expression is a clear way to tell your colleagues that you’d like to be informed about something. You typically use it after asking a question or making a request to let them know you are waiting for their response.
- Example: “I’m just checking in about the package we shipped you. Did you ever receive it? Please let me know.”
8
“Please keep me posted.” This phrase is a less formal alternative to “Please keep me informed.” You use this phrase to let coworkers or colleagues know that you want to be told about any updates or changes to something you’re monitoring, like a project’s status.
- Example: “Thanks for telling me about this issue. Keep me posted on your progress fixing it.”
9
“Please keep me in the loop.” For an even more informal way to say “Please keep me informed,” use this phrase. This is a friendly and super casual way to let a coworker know that you want to stay updated about something.
- Example: “I’m excited that you’ll be visiting our office soon! Keep me in the loop about when exactly you’ll be here.”
10
“Please get back to me soon.” Use this phrase at the end of your email to let coworkers or colleagues know that you’re expecting their response to a question you asked. This is a kind and unforceful way to tell them that you want their answer soon, but you understand that they might have other responsibilities to get to first.
- Example: “Is everything ready on your end to submit the manuscript? Please get back to me soon.”

Section 6 of 8:

Responding to “Please Advise”

Download Article

1
Answer the person’s request for advice or information. When someone emails you “Please advise,” they’re usually asking for your help with something. Simply read their email carefully to see what they want from you, whether that’s an answer to a question, guidance on how to do a task, or how you can fix their issue. Then, email them back with a detailed response.
- Them: “My package was supposed to be delivered yesterday and I still haven’t received it. Please advise.”
  You: “I’m so sorry for the trouble. It looks like there was a delay. Your package is still en route and will arrive by tomorrow evening.”
2
Ask the person to clarify if you don’t understand what they want. If you get a “Please advise” email from someone but you’re not sure how they want you to advise them, simply ask them to explain how you can help. Just use a polite and professional tone—while an unclear email can be frustrating to receive, you don’t want to make the person feel bad or uncomfortable for asking for help.
- Them: “I’m having trouble logging into my account. Please advise.”
  You: “Thank you for reaching out to us. Can you please clarify which account you can’t access? I am happy to help once I know which account is giving you trouble.”

Section 7 of 8:

Is “please advise” grammatically correct?

Download Article

Yes, “Please advise” is a grammatically correct and professional phrase. Most grammar experts consider “advise” both a transitive and intransitive verb. This means it is grammatically correct to use it with an object (transitive) or without an object (intransitive). So, even though “Please advise” doesn’t include an object, it’s perfectly correct to use it.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- While “Please advise” doesn’t require an object (a noun or pronoun), most people assume that the phrase is short for “Please advise me,” with “me” being the subject.
- Examples of “advise” in a sentence:
  - Transitive: “I advised my brother to get a spare key in case he loses his main one.”
  - Intransitive: “Eye doctors advise against reading in the dark.”

Section 8 of 8:

“Please Advise” vs “Please Advice”

Download Article

“Please advise” is the correct phrase while “Please advice” is incorrect. “Advise” is a verb (a word that describes an action) that means to give someone guidance or offer them your recommendations. “Advice” is a noun (a word that describes a person, place, or thing) that refers to a recommendation or suggestion you gave someone. So, “Please advice” is an incorrect phrase—it needs a verb to be a complete and correct sentence.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Advise sentence examples:
  - “I don’t advise going to that restaurant. I heard it’s unclean and the service is bad.”
  - “Mr. Taylor advised me to apply for the scholarship since I have good grades!”
- Advice sentence examples:
  - “Can you give me some advice on how to apologize to Malcolm?”
  - “Talk to Chantal if you need advice about buying a car. She just got a new one, so she should have some good tips for you.”
- “Advise” and “advice” are also pronounced differently. “Advise” is pronounced like “ad-vize” (it rhymes with “size” or “prize”) while “advice” is pronounced like “ad-vise” (it rhymes with “ice” or “slice”).

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

“Please be advised” is another professional phrase that you see in emails. It looks similar to “Please advise” but has a different meaning. “Please be advised” tells someone to pay attention to or be aware of some important piece of information. For example, you might get an email saying, “Please be advised that the elevators are not in operation at this time. Please use the stairs until this problem is fixed.”

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
“Please advise” dates back to the 18th century. It was originally a polite way to ask someone to provide information. Then, in the 19th century, it became a way to ask someone to reply to a telegraph. So, its current use is like a mix between these 2 meanings.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0