The Complete Guide to "Please Find Attached" Email Alternatives (Professional Examples & Synonyms)

Introduction

How many times have you written the phrase "Please find attached" in your emails this week? If you’re like most professionals in Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, the answer is probably "too many to count."

It's the default phrase we all learned in business school or from our first bosses. But here's the truth: it's becoming outdated.

While not grammatically wrong, "please find attached" can sound stiff, overly formal, and a bit like a robot wrote it. In modern business communication, where clarity and warmth are key, we can do better.

In this guide, we'll explore 10 modern alternatives that will make your emails sound more natural, confident, and professional. Whether you're emailing a new client or your own team, we have the right phrase for you.

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Why Change "Please Find Attached"?

You might be thinking, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Here are three good reasons:

1. It sounds cold. The phrase comes from old-school formal letter writing (literally "enclosed please find..."). In a quick email, it creates unnecessary distance between you and the reader.
2. It's a common grammar trap. For non-native English speakers, it’s easy to mix up "attached" vs. "attach" or "attachment." We often see errors like "Please find attach" or "Please find the attached."
3. Modern business prefers directness. LinkedIn and corporate communication studies show a shift towards conversational, "human" language. Saying "I've attached the file" is simply more direct than the passive "Please find attached."

Formality Levels: Which Phrase Should You Use?

Not all emails are created equal. You wouldn't speak to your CEO the same way you speak to your lunch buddy. The same applies to attachment phrases.

We've broken down the alternatives into 4 levels of formality:

• Level 1: Super Formal (Official/Legal)

  • Usage: Government documents, contracts, legal matters.
  • Example: "The attached contract outlines the agreement terms."

• Level 2: Standard Formal (Business)

  • Usage: New clients, first contact, cross-company communication.
  • Example: "I've attached the Q3 report for your review."

• Level 3: Friendly Formal (Internal)

  • Usage: Familiar colleagues, daily work updates.
  • Example: "Here's the budget breakdown we discussed."

• Level 4: Casual (Team)

  • Usage: Close team members, informal chats.
  • Example: "Check out the new design mockups."

10 Professional Alternatives to "Please Find Attached"

Here are 10 specific phrases you can copy and paste, along with tips on when to use them.

1. "I've attached..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦☆☆ (Moderate)
• Example: "I've attached the meeting notes from yesterday. Please review and provide feedback."
• When to use: The most versatile option. Safe for 90% of business emails.
• Avoid: Very stiff, official government correspondence.

2. "Please see the attached..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦✦☆ (Formal)
• Example: "Please see the attached document for detailed specifications."
• When to use: A nice balance of formal and polite. Great for clients.
• Avoid: Overusing it in quick internal messages.

3. "Attached is..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦✦☆ (Formal)
• Example: "Attached is the presentation you requested for Friday's meeting."
• When to use: Formal business letters or when the attachment is the main point of the email.
• Avoid: It can sound a bit passive. "I've attached" is usually stronger.

4. "Here's the [file type]"

• Formality: ✦✦☆☆☆ (Friendly)
• Example: "Here's the contract you need to sign. Let me know if you have any questions."
• When to use: Colleagues, acquaintances, or building a friendly client relationship.
• Grammar Point: "Here's" is short for "Here is." Use it for singular items.

5. "The attachment contains..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦✦✦ (Very Formal)
• Example: "The attachment contains the Q4 financial report and budget projections."
• When to use: Technical documentation or explaining complex files.
• Avoid: Don't use this for simple, short emails—it's too wordy.

6. "You'll find [details] in the attached file"

• Formality: ✦✦✦☆☆ (Moderate-Formal)
• Example: "You'll find the invoice details in the attached spreadsheet."
• When to use: When you want to direct the reader's attention to specific information inside the file.

7. "I'm sending along..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦☆☆ (Moderate)
• Example: "I'm sending along the revised proposal as discussed on our call."
• When to use: Following up on a conversation. It sounds helpful and proactive.

8. "As discussed, I've attached..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦☆☆ (Moderate-Formal)
• Example: "As discussed, I've attached the timeline for the project rollout."
• When to use: Connecting the email to a previous meeting or call. It improves context.

9. "Below/Attached you'll find..."

• Formality: ✦✦✦☆☆ (Moderate)
• Example: "Below you'll find the template we discussed for the new process."
• When to use: Good for clarity, especially if you have both text content and an attachment.

10. "Here's what you asked for"

• Formality: ✦☆☆☆☆ (Very Casual)
• Example: "Here's what you asked for – the competitor analysis spreadsheet."
• When to use: Responding to a direct request from a teammate.
• Note: Keep this for internal use or clients you know very well.

Real Email Templates

See how these phrases look in practice.

Template 1: Proposal to New Client (Formal)

This template uses "I've attached" for a clear, professional tone.

Subject: [Company Name] - Marketing Proposal for [Project]

Dear [Client Name],

Thank you for considering our services. I've attached the comprehensive marketing proposal for your [Project Name] initiative.

The document outlines:

• Strategic approach and timeline
• Expected deliverables
• Investment details

Please review and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule a discussion.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 2: Follow-up with Colleague (Friendly Formal)

Here, "You'll find" is used to guide the reader.

Subject: Re: Design Mockups for Website Redesign

Hi [Name],

As we discussed in yesterday's meeting, I've attached the updated design mockups for the website redesign.

You'll find three variations in the file:

1. Modern minimalist approach
2. Traditional corporate style
3. Contemporary gradient design

I'd appreciate your feedback by Friday. Let me know if you need any modifications.

Cheers, [Your Name]

Template 3: Internal Team Share (Casual)

Using "Here's" keeps it light and quick.

Subject: Budget spreadsheet - pls review!

Hey team,

Here's the Q1 budget breakdown we need to finalize. Can everyone review their department sections and flag any discrepancies?

Let's sync up tomorrow to discuss.

Thanks! [Your Name]

Common Mistakes & Grammar Traps

Even with alternatives, it's easy to make small mistakes. Watch out for these:

1. "Please find attach" ❌ (Missing -ed)
   • Correction: "Please find attached" or "I have attached."
2. "Please find the attach file" ❌
   • Correction: "Please find the attached file." Attached is an adjective modifying file.
3. Mixing up "Attachment" vs. "Attached"
   • "Attachment" is a noun ("See the attachment").
   • "Attached" is an adjective ("The attached file") or part of a verb ("I have attached").

Grammar Buddy Tip: If you're unsure, try swapping "attached" with "linked." If "linked" makes sense, you probably need the -ed form!

Other Cultural Considerations

• Singapore: It's common to see "Please see attached" or even just "See attached" in fast-paced environments. While efficiency is good, adding a full sentence like "I've attached the file" softens the tone.
• Taiwan: Emails often start with polite greetings. "Attached is..." fits well with the slightly more formal business etiquette often found in traditional Taiwanese companies.
• Malaysia: Similar to Singapore, but often incorporates warm pleasantries. "I'm sending along..." works beautifully here.

FAQ

Q: Is "please find attached" grammatically correct? A: Yes, it is grammatically correct but sounds formal and outdated. Modern business emails prefer direct alternatives like "I've attached" or "Here's the file."

Q: What can I say instead of "please find attached"? A: Use "I've attached," "Please see the attached," "Here's the [document]," or "Attached is the [file]." Choose based on formality level.

Q: Is "please find attached" too formal? A: For most modern business emails, yes. It originates from formal letter writing and can sound stiff in a casual email. "I've attached" works for 90% of situations.

Q: What is the difference between "attached" and "enclosed"? A: "Attached" is used for email attachments. "Enclosed" is used for physical letters where a document is placed inside an envelope. Use "attached" for all emails.

Summary

You don't have to ban "Please find attached" from your vocabulary forever, but using modern alternatives will make you sound more like a 21st-century professional and less like a textbook.

Key Takeaways:

• Use "I've attached" for most standard business emails.
• Use "Please see attached" for formal client communications.
• Use "Here's" for friendly updates with your team.

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