What does “please advise” mean in email? Learn when to use it, professional examples, and why it’s controversial in workplace communication.
You send an email asking for feedback and sign off with “Please advise.” Your coworker receives it and rolls their eyes. Your boss sends you an email with “Please advise” and you’re suddenly unsure what they actually want from you. It’s one of the most common and most debated phrases in professional email communication.
What Does “Please Advise” Mean?
“Please advise” means “please give me your opinion, suggestion, or guidance on this matter” — it’s a polite way to ask for feedback, direction, or a decision from someone.
The phrase is asking the recipient to provide advice or counsel on whatever topic you’ve just mentioned in your email. It’s meant to be professional and respectful, but the way it’s used (or overused) has made it somewhat controversial in workplace communication.
“Please advise” can mean different things depending on context:
- Give me feedback on this
- Tell me what you think I should do
- Let me know how to proceed
- Provide your expert opinion
- Make a decision for me
Where Did “Please Advise” Come From?
“Please advise” has been used in formal business communication for decades. It emerged from traditional business letter writing, where phrases like this were standard in formal correspondence.
The phrase has remained popular in email culture because it sounds professional and polite, but it has also become the subject of workplace humor and criticism. Many modern communicators view “please advise” as outdated or passive-aggressive when used incorrectly.
Despite the debate, it’s still widely used in professional emails, especially in corporate environments, legal fields, and formal business settings.
Real Examples of “Please Advise”
Example 1 — Asking for direction:
“I’ve completed the report, but I’m unsure about the conclusions. Please advise.”
Example 2 — Requesting feedback:
“I’ve attached the draft proposal. Please review and advise.”
Example 3 — Need for decision:
“The client has requested a meeting on Friday. I’m available then. Please advise if this works for you.”
Example 4 — Looking for guidance:
“I’m not sure how to proceed with this vendor. Please advise on the best approach.”
Example 5 — Asking for next steps:
“The project is ready for the next phase. Please advise on the timeline.”
Example 6 — Seeking professional opinion:
“We have three options available. Please advise which you prefer.”
Example 7 — Requesting clarification:
“I received conflicting information about the deadline. Please advise which date is correct.”
Example 8 — Need for approval:
“I’ve made the following changes to the contract. Please review and advise.”
When to Use “Please Advise”
✅ APPROPRIATE USES:
- Asking for expert opinion — When someone has expertise you need “You’re the expert on this. Please advise.”
- Formal communication — In professional letters or formal emails “Please advise how we should proceed.”
- Requesting guidance — When genuinely unsure about direction “I’m not sure about the best approach. Please advise.”
- Professional settings — Legal, corporate, finance, or formal industries Standard practice in these fields
- Between authority levels — From subordinate to supervisor/superior Appropriate hierarchical communication
When NOT to Use “Please Advise”
❌ INAPPROPRIATE USES:
- Simple requests — “Can you send me the file? Please advise.” (Too formal for a simple request)
- Passive-aggressive tone — “I’ve been waiting for two weeks. Please advise.” (Sounds sarcastic)
- Casual workplace — In companies with informal communication culture (Sounds stuffy)
- Quick exchanges — In fast-paced messaging or Slack (Too formal)
- With peers — Shouldn’t sound like you’re their superior (Can sound condescending)
Why “Please Advise” Is Controversial
The Debate:
Pro side: It’s professional, respectful, and clearly asks for input
Con side:
- It’s overused and sounds outdated
- It can come across as passive-aggressive
- It’s sometimes vague (advise on what specifically?)
- It puts burden on recipient to interpret your need
Many workplace communication experts recommend being more specific instead of just saying “please advise.”
Better Alternatives to “Please Advise”
Instead of “please advise,” consider:
For asking for feedback:
- “I’d appreciate your feedback on this.”
- “Can you review this and let me know your thoughts?”
- “What do you think about this approach?”
For asking for decision:
- “Please let me know which option you prefer.”
- “Can you confirm which approach we should take?”
- “Which of these three options works best for you?”
For asking for direction:
- “How would you like me to proceed?”
- “What’s the best way to handle this?”
- “Can you guide me on the next steps?”
For asking for expert opinion:
- “Given your expertise, what would you recommend?”
- “I’d like your professional opinion on this.”
- “Can you advise on the best practice here?”
“Please Advise” in Different Professional Contexts
Corporate Email: Very common, expected in formal communications
Legal/Finance: Standard professional language, widely accepted
Tech Companies: Often avoided, considered outdated
Government: Common in formal correspondence
Healthcare: Used in professional communications
Sales: Less common, seen as less personal
Startups: Rarely used, informal communication preferred
How to Use “Please Advise” Correctly
DO:
- Be specific about what you’re asking for
- Use it in formal professional contexts
- Follow it with actual specific questions
- Use it when genuinely seeking guidance
- Pair it with clear context
DON’T:
- Use it sarcastically or passive-aggressively
- Use it for simple requests
- Leave it vague about what you want
- Use it in casual workplace environments
- Overuse it (once per email maximum)
“Please Advise” in 2026
Even though it’s sometimes criticized as outdated, “please advise” remains common in professional email communication. It’s still expected in formal business environments, especially in corporate, legal, and finance sectors.
However, younger professionals and tech companies increasingly prefer more specific, direct communication instead.
The Bottom Line
“Please advise” means to request someone’s opinion, guidance, or feedback on a matter. The phrase is professional and formal, making it appropriate for business email communication, especially in corporate and formal settings. However, it can seem outdated, vague, or passive-aggressive if used incorrectly. More specific alternatives like “Can you review this and let me know your thoughts?” are often preferred in modern communication.
The key is context: in formal business environments, “please advise” is perfectly acceptable and expected. In casual or tech-forward workplaces, more direct language is preferred.