10 Other Ways to Say “Please Provide”

In a professional setting, how we ask for things matters. This article explores alternatives to the phrase “please provide,” offering 10 different ways to make requests in workplace emails. Each alternative is analyzed for its formality, politeness, and best use case, with email examples provided to guide you on how to use them effectively.

Is It Professional to Say “Please Provide”?

Using the phrase “please provide” is considered professional, formal, and polite. It’s a clear way to request information or items from someone else in a respectful manner.

This phrase is most appropriately used in professional settings, with colleagues, clients, or any formal correspondence. It’s suitable for emails, letters, and official documents where a level of formality is required.

Email example:

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to request your assistance with our upcoming project. Please provide the latest version of the project plan by the end of this week.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Best regards,
Emily Johnson

Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of using “please provide”.

Pros:

• Clear and direct, leaving little room for misunderstanding.
• Conveys respect and politeness.
• Appropriate for a wide range of professional settings.

Cons:

• Can be perceived as overly formal in casual settings.
• May not be suitable for all types of communication.

While “please provide” is an excellent choice for many situations, someone might want to use an alternative phrase to match the tone of less formal communications or when looking for synonyms to add variety to their language. Sometimes, alternatives can better suit the communication context or the relationship with the correspondent.

10 Other Ways to Say “Please Provide”

Finding the right words is key in professional communication. Here are 10 common alternatives to “please provide” that can fit in seamlessly into workplace email exchanges:

1. Kindly supply
2. I would appreciate if you could send
3. Please send over
4. Could you please furnish
5. We would be grateful if you could share
6. Can you please provide
7. I request you to submit
8. Would you mind sending
9. It would be helpful if you could give
10. May I ask you to forward

1. Kindly supply

This alternative is a bit more formal than “please provide” but still maintains a polite tone. It subtly shifts the emphasis, making the request seem less demanding. It’s well-suited for situations where you might be asking for materials or information that requires some effort to gather.

This phrase is best used with colleagues or business partners in a professional setting, especially when the requested items are critical to the task at hand. Emails are the most common medium for this type of request.

Email example:

Dear Mr. Davis,

We are preparing the final report due next Monday.

Kindly supply the sales figures for the last quarter at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,
Linda

2. I would appreciate if you could send

This variant adds a personal touch by emphasizing appreciation, making it less direct and more polite. It’s a nice way to ask for something without seeming too commanding. This alternative shines in situations where you’re asking for something that might require extra effort from the recipient.

It is a good choice when communicating with both internal and external counterparts. Email messages are the ideal medium for this polite request, especially when addressing clients or senior colleagues.

Example:

Dear Caroline,

I'm compiling our yearly feedback report.

I would appreciate if you could send me the customer feedback you collected last month.

Many thanks,
Harold

3. Please send over

This option is more informal and direct, suitable for everyday workplace communication. It’s perfect for when you have a good relationship with the recipient and need something promptly. The tone is still polite but assumes a level of familiarity.

Use this with team members or colleagues you interact with regularly. Email is the best channel for such a candid request, especially within team communications.

Email sample:

Hi Kevin,

We’re updating the project timeline.

Please send over your part by tomorrow noon.

Thanks,
Rachel

4. Could you please furnish

This phrase is arguably the most formal among the alternatives, suggesting a level of professionalism and courtesy. It is particularly appropriate when requesting detailed information or documents.

This alternative suits communication with higher management, potential partners, or regulatory bodies. Emails and formal letters are the preferred methods of communication in these cases.

Here’s an example:

Dear Dr. Morgan,

To proceed with our research publication, could you please furnish us with the latest data on the clinical trials?

Sincerely,
Dr. Emily Stanton

5. We would be grateful if you could share

This alternative expresses gratitude in advance for the recipient’s cooperation, making it a soft and polite request. It sets a collaborative tone, suggesting that the sender and recipient are working towards a common goal.

This phrase is most effective in a professional environment when you are seeking information that the recipient might need to compile or gather. Email is commonly used for such requests, especially with colleagues or in interdepartmental communications.

Email example:

Dear Team Leads,

As part of our quarterly review, we would be grateful if you could share your department’s achievements.

Best regards,
Janet

6. Can you please provide

This alternative is straightforward and professional, but carries a slightly more informal tone than “please provide.” It’s effective for making direct requests without coming across as too demanding.

It’s particularly useful in emails to colleagues or subordinates when requesting specific items or pieces of information. This phrase helps maintain a friendly yet professional tone within the workplace.

Here’s an example:

Hello Team,

In preparation for the next meeting, can you please provide an update on your current projects?

Thanks,
Alex

7. I request you to submit

This phrase is very formal and carries an authoritative tone. It is suitable for instances where compliance with the request is critical, such as legal or financial documentation submissions.

This alternative is best used with individuals who have a specific obligation to provide the requested information or documents, such as employees, clients, or partners. Email and formal letters are appropriate channels for such requests.

Example:

Dear Finance Department,

For the end-of-year audit, I request you to submit all financial records by the coming Friday.

Regards,
Samantha

8. Would you mind sending

This alternative is informal and polite, making it perfect for a workplace environment that values a friendly tone. It’s less authoritative and more suggestive, implying that the recipient has a choice in fulfilling the request.

Suitable for emails to colleagues or external partners where the request is not urgent or demanding. It helps maintain a positive working relationship by softening the request.

Email sample:

Hey Sarah,

For the team’s reference, would you mind sending over the client’s feedback?

Thanks a bunch,
Tom

9. It would be helpful if you could give

This alternative is informal yet polite, and positions the request as beneficial to the sender, without making it feel like a demand. It’s a tactful way to ask for something in a way that’s considerate of the recipient’s willingness and capacity to comply.

Best applied within emails to team members or close colleagues, especially when the requested item or information can aid in completing a task or project. This approach fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Here’s an example:

Hello Jack,

To finalize our report, it would be helpful if you could give your analysis by this Wednesday.

Appreciatively,
Nina

10. May I ask you to forward

This phrase is polite and implies a level of respect for the recipient’s time and effort. It’s less direct, making it suitable for requests that may require the recipient to go out of their way.

It is particularly useful when communicating with someone who is not a direct colleague, such as a client or a professional contact outside your organization. Email is the ideal medium for this kind of respectful, professional request.

Email example:

Dear Marcus,

To assist with our upcoming presentation, may I ask you to forward the latest project stats?

Many thanks,
Olivia

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right way to say “please provide” in emails can impact how your message is received. The alternatives we’ve listed can help you communicate in a way that’s both respectful and effective. By matching the tone of your request with the situation at hand, you’re more likely to get a positive response.