Occasionally, mistakes slip into our emails, whether it’s sending an incomplete message, an accidental typo, or information that’s quickly outdated. In such cases, it’s often necessary to send a follow-up email to clarify or correct your previous communication. The phrase “Please disregard my previous email” works fine, but using creative alternatives can add professionalism, clarity, or even a touch of politeness or humor, depending on your relationship with the recipient. Here, we’ll explore various ways to phrase this message, each with example scenarios that make your follow-up sound thoughtful and polished.
Related: Alternative Expressions for “Good to Hear”
Why Rephrase “Please Disregard My Previous Email”?
Using varied language to retract or clarify an email can make your communication sound more personal, especially if you frequently interact with the recipient. Creative alternatives can:
- Convey professionalism and show attention to detail.
- Clarify misunderstandings while maintaining a courteous tone.
- Smooth over errors with polite phrasing, adding a sense of genuine apology or humor if needed.
1. “Please Ignore My Last Email”
Sometimes, a simple and direct request is best. “Please ignore my last email” works well in a casual or moderately formal setting, especially if the email error is minor or quickly corrected.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Updated Meeting Details
Hi Sarah,
Please ignore my last email regarding tomorrow’s meeting schedule. I mistakenly included the wrong time. Here’s the correct information:
The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 4, at 10:00 AM in Conference Room B.
I apologize for any confusion.
Best, Tom
2. “Kindly Disregard My Previous Communication”
This alternative is a bit more formal and suitable for professional settings where a polite tone is essential, particularly when communicating with clients or higher-level management.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Correction: Project Milestones
Dear Ms. Greene,
I hope this email finds you well. Kindly disregard my previous communication regarding our project milestones. After further discussion with the team, we’ve made some adjustments to the deadlines.
Please see the revised milestones below:
1. Initial Draft – Due June 15 2. Team Review – June 20 3. Final Approval – June 25
I apologize for any confusion caused.
Sincerely, Robert Lin
3. “Retract Email: Please Use This Updated Information”
If you need to send corrected information immediately, use “Retract email” in the subject line. This makes it clear that the previous message should be disregarded and directs attention to the new details.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Retract Email: Please Use This Updated Information
Hello Karen,
I’d like to retract my previous email and provide updated information regarding the vendor contract. I mistakenly included outdated terms, and the following details should be referenced instead:
Updated Contract Terms – Effective July 1, 2024
Thank you for your understanding.
Warm regards, Lisa Tran
4. “Disregard My Last Message and Accept My Apologies”
Adding a brief apology can add a sense of sincerity, especially if the error might have caused minor inconvenience.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Disregard My Last Message
Hi Team,
Please disregard my last message about the quarterly report deadline. I had mistakenly mentioned June 10 as the due date. The correct deadline is June 15.
Accept my apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
Thanks, Alex
5. “I Apologize for Any Confusion, Please Disregard My Previous Email”
Adding an apology in the subject line, especially when the error might have caused confusion, can help soften the message and maintain a professional tone.
Example Scenario:
Subject: I Apologize for Any Confusion – Disregard My Previous Email
Hello Dr. Clarke,
I apologize for any confusion caused by my previous email regarding your appointment. The correct time is 3:00 PM on Wednesday, not Thursday as previously mentioned.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards, Jennifer
6. “Correction: Please Disregard Earlier Correspondence”
Using “earlier correspondence” sounds professional and works well in situations where more formal language is expected.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Correction: Please Disregard Earlier Correspondence
Dear Mr. Bennett,
Please disregard my earlier correspondence regarding the monthly budget summary. A revised version with updated figures is attached here.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Warm regards, Emily Wong
7. “Kindly Ignore My Earlier Message and Refer to This Email Instead”
If the updated email supersedes the previous one, you might simply ask the recipient to refer to the new message instead.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Revised Instructions – Kindly Ignore My Earlier Message
Hello Marketing Team,
Kindly ignore my earlier message about the campaign timeline and refer to this email for the correct information. We’ve adjusted the timeline to better align with our goals.
Updated Campaign Timeline:
- Phase 1 – June 1-15
- Phase 2 – June 16-30
I apologize for any oversight.
Thanks, Martin
8. “Please Disregard My Previous Message and Note the Changes Below”
In cases where only specific parts of the previous email need to be corrected, this phrasing works well to highlight new details without discarding the entire email.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Important Update – Please Disregard My Previous Message
Hi Amanda,
Please disregard my previous message about the deadline for submitting Q2 reports. Only the due date has changed – the new deadline is now July 5, instead of July 1.
All other details remain the same.
Best, Mike
9. “Apologies – Please Disregard My Previous Email on This Topic”
When you need to send a corrected version of a topic-specific email, this approach addresses the error clearly while signaling a sincere apology.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Apologies – Please Disregard My Previous Email
Dear Laura,
I apologize for any confusion. Please disregard my previous email about the upcoming product launch. We’ve updated several features and timelines, and I’ll send a full breakdown shortly.
Thank you for your patience.
Best regards, Olivia
10. “Please Disregard My Earlier Communication – Here’s the Correct Information”
For scenarios where multiple errors need correction, this straightforward approach can help guide the reader directly to the updated information.
Example Scenario:
Subject: Please Disregard My Earlier Communication
Hello Team,
Please disregard my earlier communication regarding the holiday party arrangements. We’ve moved the location to the Green Plaza, and the event will now begin at 6 PM instead of 7 PM.
I apologize for any earlier oversight.
Thanks, James
Conclusion: Navigating the Need for Email Corrections
Email errors happen to everyone, and it’s best to address them with a clear, polite, and sometimes creative message. Crafting an alternative to “Please disregard my previous email” can help convey professionalism and attention to detail, enhancing your communication style in both personal and professional settings. By using these variations and examples, you can ensure that your message feels thoughtful, courteous, and appropriate to the situation.
Remember that a small mistake doesn’t have to lead to embarrassment—it’s an opportunity to showcase adaptability and tact.
Burak Ozcivat is an experienced blogger at Grammar Gem, where he shares his expertise in grammar and the English language. With a passion for simplifying complex topics, Burak delivers engaging, informative content that helps readers master grammar. His insightful posts are a go-to resource for language enthusiasts.