“Please advise” is a common phrase in emails—especially in business, customer service, HR, and corporate communication. But in 2025, the phrase can sometimes sound too formal, abrupt, or outdated, which is why many professionals look for clearer, friendlier alternatives.
Whether you’re emailing a coworker, manager, client, or customer, this list gives you 33+ polished, human-like ways to replace “please advise,” each with meaning, usage, tips, and examples.
When Should You Use These Alternatives?
Use these alternatives when:
- You need guidance, instructions, or approval
- You want a phrase that sounds clearer or more polite
- The situation requires professionalism
- You want to avoid sounding demanding or robotic
- You need a more specific or actionable request
- You want your message to match a friendly or modern tone
Avoid these phrases in extremely formal legal or contractual communication where “please advise” is still the default.
33+ Other Ways to Say “Please Advise”
Below are professional, polite, and context-ready alternatives.
1. “Please let me know how I should proceed.”
Meaning: You want direction for the next step.
Usage: For workplace tasks or projects.
Tip: Great for managers or team leads.
Example: Please let me know how I should proceed with the updated report.
2. “Could you guide me on this?”
Meaning: Asking for guidance.
Usage: When you need help understanding something.
Tip: Soft and friendly tone.
Example: Could you guide me on this before I finalize the draft?
3. “What would you recommend?”
Meaning: Asking for a suggestion.
Usage: Ideal when choices are available.
Tip: Shows respect for expertise.
Example: Based on your experience, what would you recommend?
4. “Your input would be appreciated.”
Meaning: You value their thoughts.
Usage: Collaborative emails.
Tip: Works great for teams.
Example: Your input would be appreciated regarding the schedule change.
5. “I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.”
Meaning: You want an opinion.
Usage: Professional but warm.
Tip: Sounds sincere and polite.
Example: I’d appreciate your thoughts on the proposed plan.
6. “Let me know what you think.”
Meaning: Seeking feedback.
Usage: Informal or internal communication.
Tip: Avoid for clients unless relationship is casual.
Example: Let me know what you think about the timeline.
7. “Please share your advice.”
Meaning: Direct but polite.
Usage: When asking for personal or professional advice.
Tip: Softer version of “please advise.”
Example: Please share your advice on this issue.
8. “Do you have any suggestions?”
Meaning: Looking for possible solutions.
Usage: When the path isn’t clear.
Tip: Encourages collaborative thinking.
Example: Do you have any suggestions before I send the email?
9. “Can you clarify this for me?”
Meaning: You need more information.
Usage: When something is unclear.
Tip: Helpful in technical or detailed discussions.
Example: Can you clarify this section before we submit?
10. “Please confirm.”
Meaning: Requesting verification.
Usage: Logistics, operations, approvals.
Tip: Short and professional.
Example: Please confirm if the meeting time works.
11. “Kindly advise on the next steps.”
Meaning: Polite and formal.
Usage: Professional or corporate tone.
Tip: Works well with clients.
Example: Kindly advise on the next steps for onboarding.
12. “What’s the best course of action?”
Meaning: Seeking a recommended plan.
Usage: Decision-making situations.
Tip: Shows respect for authority.
Example: What’s the best course of action moving forward?
13. “Could you point me in the right direction?”
Meaning: Asking for guidance.
Usage: When unsure where to begin.
Tip: Friendly and approachable.
Example: Could you point me in the right direction for this task?
14. “I need your guidance on this.”
Meaning: Request for support.
Usage: Direct but respectful.
Tip: Ideal for supervisors.
Example: I need your guidance on this issue before proceeding.
15. “Please update me when you can.”
Meaning: You’re waiting for news.
Usage: Follow-up messages.
Tip: Shows patience.
Example: Please update me when you can regarding the request.
16. “What should I do next?”
Meaning: Asking for next step.
Usage: Simple and informal.
Tip: Great for internal teams.
Example: What should I do next after uploading the file?
17. “Can you review this and advise?”
Meaning: Asking for review + suggestion.
Usage: Documents, emails, proposals.
Tip: More specific than “please advise.”
Example: Can you review this and advise on any changes?
18. “I’d value your guidance.”
Meaning: Respectful tone.
Usage: When emailing mentors.
Tip: Soft, professional.
Example: I’d value your guidance before we finalize the project.
19. “Your recommendation would be helpful.”
Meaning: Asking for a preferred choice.
Usage: Decision-making.
Tip: Sounds formal and respectful.
Example: Your recommendation would be helpful here.
20. “Please let me know your preferred option.”
Meaning: You want them to choose.
Usage: Offering multiple choices.
Tip: Useful in scheduling or planning.
Example: Please let me know your preferred option for delivery.
21. “Could you advise when convenient?”
Meaning: You want advice without urgency.
Usage: Polite and considerate.
Tip: Great for busy professionals.
Example: Could you advise when convenient?
22. “I’m looking forward to your guidance.”
Meaning: Expecting help.
Usage: Formal requests.
Tip: Adds professionalism.
Example: I’m looking forward to your guidance on this matter.
23. “Please let me know if you agree.”
Meaning: Seeking confirmation.
Usage: For approvals.
Tip: Good for collaborative emails.
Example: Please let me know if you agree with the proposed changes.
24. “Let me know if this works for you.”
Meaning: Asking if something is acceptable.
Usage: Scheduling, planning, options.
Tip: Friendly tone.
Example: Let me know if this works for you.
25. “What’s your perspective on this?”
Meaning: Asking for viewpoint.
Usage: Brainstorming or analysis.
Tip: Encourages open discussion.
Example: What’s your perspective on the new policy?
26. “Please let me know your thoughts.”
Meaning: Seeking feedback.
Usage: Professional + friendly.
Tip: Works in almost every context.
Example: Please let me know your thoughts when you have a moment.
27. “Could you provide more details?”
Meaning: Request for clarification.
Usage: When information is insufficient.
Tip: Direct and clear.
Example: Could you provide more details about the issue?
28. “Kindly let me know your decision.”
Meaning: Requesting a final choice.
Usage: Approvals or confirmations.
Tip: Formal tone.
Example: Kindly let me know your decision by tomorrow.
29. “Please help me understand this.”
Meaning: Asking for explanation.
Usage: When something is unclear.
Tip: Respectful and humble.
Example: Please help me understand this section of the document.
30. “What do you suggest we do?”
Meaning: Asking for actionable advice.
Usage: Team discussions.
Tip: Encourages collaboration.
Example: What do you suggest we do once the data arrives?
31. “Any guidance from your side would be great.”
Meaning: Asking for direction.
Usage: Semi-formal tone.
Tip: Good for clients and managers.
Example: Any guidance from your side would be great.
32. “I’d appreciate any direction you can offer.”
Meaning: Requesting help choosing a path.
Usage: When uncertain what to do next.
Tip: Very polite.
Example: I’d appreciate any direction you can offer regarding the update.
33. “Please let me know the best way to move forward.”
Meaning: Asking for approval or next steps.
Usage: Project or task planning.
Tip: Sounds confident and professional.
Example: Please let me know the best way to move forward from here.
Bonus: Professional Variants for Emails
Here are some short, polished lines perfect for business email endings:
- “Awaiting your guidance.”
- “Looking forward to your response.”
- “Happy to follow your lead.”
- “Please advise at your convenience.”
- “I appreciate your help in advance.”
Final Writing Tips
Use these tips to choose the right phrase:
- Always match the tone to your relationship with the recipient
- Use softer alternatives for managers and clients
- Use direct alternatives for quick internal communication
- Be specific about what you want—don’t just say “advise”
- Avoid sounding demanding; add polite wording where possible
- When in doubt, choose the clearest and simplest phrase
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