In professional communication, it’s often necessary to request confirmation. Saying “please confirm” directly works, but varying your language can create a more engaging, polite, or formal tone depending on your audience. Here, we’ll explore alternative ways to request confirmation and provide practical scenarios for each. These phrases can be applied in emails, business messages, or project communications to match the tone or context of your message.
Related: Alternative Wording for “Thank You for Your Consideration”
1. Could You Please Confirm?
Using “Could you please confirm?” is polite and direct, making it ideal for formal business emails. This phrase is suitable when you need a recipient to verify essential information.
Example: “Dear Sarah,
Could you please confirm if the meeting on Thursday at 10 AM works for you? We’d like to finalize the schedule and ensure everyone is aligned.
Best,
Mark”
This alternative adds a touch of courtesy, ensuring the recipient doesn’t feel pressured to respond but knows a reply is needed.
2. Can You Confirm?
Shorter and slightly less formal than “could you please confirm,” this phrase works well in everyday business emails or messages when the relationship is already established.
Example: “Hi Alex,
Can you confirm if you received the revised project brief? I want to be sure we’re working on the latest version.
Thanks,
Nina”
In this alternative phrase, “Can you confirm” allows you to convey friendliness while still asking for confirmation.
3. Please Verify the Details
When you need someone to double-check specific information, “please verify the details” adds clarity. It’s a useful way to ask for verification without explicitly saying “please confirm.”
Example: “Dear Mr. Jackson,
Before we proceed, please verify the details in the attached document to ensure everything aligns with your expectations. Your feedback will help us move forward smoothly.
Best regards,
Laura”
Here, you’re inviting the recipient to engage with the information and validate its accuracy.
4. Could You Verify?
“Could you verify” is a simple, respectful way to ask for confirmation and is especially effective when confirming more specific elements like numbers, figures, or specifications.
Example: “Hi Emma,
Could you verify the total sales figures for last month? We want to ensure accuracy before presenting it to the board.
Best,
Samuel”
This approach is polite and formal, making it a great alternative phrase in business or professional settings.
5. Let Me Know
A casual but effective way to request confirmation, “let me know” suits less formal communication. It’s often used in day-to-day emails or messages when the details are minor but still need acknowledgment.
Example: “Hey Tom,
Let me know if you’re free for a quick call tomorrow to discuss the new client proposal.
Cheers,
Rachel”
This alternative keeps it casual, inviting the recipient to acknowledge without needing to use formal confirmation language.
6. Acknowledge Receipt
A more formal and widely-used phrase in email communication, “acknowledge receipt” is appropriate when you need the recipient to confirm they received specific files or documents. It’s commonly used in formal exchanges or professional environments.
Example: “Dear Mr. Wright,
Please acknowledge receipt of the contract by Friday. We’d like to ensure everything is in order before the signing.
Thank you,
Jenna”
Acknowledging receipt is ideal for legal documents or important contracts, ensuring both parties know the communication has been received.
7. Could You Please Check and Confirm?
Combining “check” with “confirm” provides extra clarity, especially when the recipient might need to review details first. This phrase is ideal for situations that require validation of multiple pieces of information.
Example: “Hi Hannah,
Could you please check and confirm the data in the spreadsheet matches your records? Accuracy is key for the upcoming report.
Thanks,
Leo”
The phrase “check and confirm” is effective for technical or data-oriented tasks, making sure the recipient understands that verification is necessary.
8. Confirm at Your Earliest Convenience
This polite request allows the recipient some flexibility. “Confirm at your earliest convenience” suggests that you need a response but are not pushing for immediate action. It’s courteous and maintains a professional tone.
Example: “Hello Jonathan,
Please confirm at your earliest convenience whether you’ll attend the annual conference. We’re finalizing attendee numbers by the end of the week.
Best regards,
Amanda”
This alternative phrase softens the request and makes it suitable for business settings, especially when dealing with clients.
9. Please Verify
“Please verify” is a straightforward way to request confirmation. It’s suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts and works well in instructions or when specific details need validating.
Example: “Dear Lucy,
Please verify the shipping address and estimated delivery date so we can process your order accurately.
Thank you,
Customer Support Team”
Using “please verify” signals to the recipient that they should double-check and approve, ensuring both parties are on the same page.
10. Could You Double-Check?
For informal or friendly emails, “could you double-check” works well when you want the recipient to verify details in a laid-back tone. This phrase is especially useful among colleagues or team members.
Example: “Hey Matt,
Could you double-check the figures from yesterday’s meeting? I just want to make sure we’re aligned.
Thanks!
Tina”
Double-checking is a friendly, effective way to ensure accuracy while maintaining a conversational style.
11. Please Confirm This for Me
In a more conversational context, “please confirm this for me” is a friendly, direct way to ask for confirmation, keeping the tone neutral yet professional.
Example: “Hi Lauren,
Before I send the invoice, please confirm this for me: is the billing address still the same as before?
Thank you,
Marcus”
This alternative is suitable for emails that require clear, no-nonsense confirmation without unnecessary formality.
12. Please Validate the Information
When you need someone to confirm data integrity, using “please validate the information” can sound more precise, often helpful in technical or data-related exchanges.
Example: “Hello George,
Please validate the information in the attached document and let us know if there are any discrepancies. We aim to have accurate records before the next audit.
Regards,
Diana”
The word “validate” is a slightly more formal option that’s effective for asking someone to verify details in a professional, data-focused context.
Summary of Phrases for Requesting Confirmation
In professional and casual communication, choosing the right confirmation request can set the tone and help convey your message clearly. Here’s a summary of various ways to replace the standard “please confirm”:
| Phrase | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Could you please confirm? | Formal email, polite confirmation request |
| Can you confirm? | Everyday business email, established relationship |
| Please verify the details | Request to double-check specific information |
| Could you verify? | Simple, respectful confirmation of details |
| Let me know | Casual follow-up for minor details |
| Acknowledge receipt | Formal confirmation of document or file reception |
| Could you please check and confirm? | Data or technical check, professional tone |
| Confirm at your earliest convenience | Flexible, polite confirmation request |
| Please verify | Direct, suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts |
| Could you double-check? | Friendly, casual confirmation |
| Please confirm this for me | Direct, conversational confirmation |
| Please validate the information | Formal, data-focused verification request |
Conclusion
Using different phrases for “please confirm” can make your communication more engaging, whether you’re reaching out in a formal or informal context. These alternative ways—from “Could you please confirm?” to “Acknowledge receipt”—allow you to tailor your approach based on the situation. Incorporate these phrases to make your messages polite, clear, and fitting for each recipient.
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.
