The phrase “please be informed” is grammatically correct, but many English speakers wonder whether it sounds natural, polite, or appropriate in modern communication.
If you are asking, “is it correct to say please be informed?”, the answer depends largely on the situation, the relationship between the writer and reader, and the tone you want to create.
“Please be informed” is commonly used in formal notices, official announcements, business letters, and professional emails. However, although it is correct, it can sometimes sound stiff, distant, or overly formal in everyday workplace communication. Native speakers often choose simpler alternatives such as “please note,” “I’d like to let you know,” or “this is to inform you” depending on the purpose.
This article explains the meaning, grammar, tone, and practical usage of “please be informed,” including when it works well, when it may sound unnatural, and what alternatives can make your communication clearer and more natural.
Is It Correct to Say “Please Be Informed”?
Yes, “please be informed” is grammatically correct, but its suitability depends on context. The phrase means “please take notice of this information” or “please be aware of this fact.” It is most common in formal written communication, such as official announcements, workplace notices, and administrative messages. In casual conversation, it may sound unnecessarily formal or impersonal.
What Does “Please Be Informed” Mean?
“Please be informed” is a polite but formal way of telling someone that they should become aware of certain information. It is similar in meaning to:
- Please note this information.
- Please be aware of this.
- Kindly take notice.
- We would like to inform you.
The phrase does not usually ask the reader to do something. Instead, it signals that important information is being provided.
For example:
Please be informed that the office will be closed on Monday due to maintenance.
This means:
Please be aware that the office will be closed on Monday.
The expression focuses on delivering information rather than requesting action.
Another example:
Please be informed that your application has been received successfully.
The sender is simply notifying the recipient of a status update.
The phrase is often associated with official communication because it creates a formal tone. Government departments, schools, companies, and organizations frequently use similar wording when announcing policies, changes, deadlines, or decisions.
Is “Please Be Informed” Grammatically Correct?
Yes, the grammar of “please be informed” is correct.
The structure contains three parts:
- Please — a polite marker used to make a request or soften a statement.
- Be — the base form of the verb “to be.”
- Informed — the past participle of “inform,” used here as part of a passive construction.
The phrase uses the passive voice.
The active version would be:
Please inform yourself.
However, that sentence sounds unnatural and can even sound slightly demanding. English commonly uses passive constructions in formal announcements because they focus on the information rather than the person delivering it.
Compare:
We inform you that the meeting has been postponed.
and:
Please be informed that the meeting has been postponed.
Both are grammatically acceptable, but the second sounds more like an official notice.
Examples of correct usage:
- Please be informed that the payment deadline has been extended until Friday.
- Please be informed that all employees must complete the training by the end of the month.
- Please be informed that your request has been approved.
However, grammar alone does not determine whether a phrase sounds natural. A sentence can be correct but still feel too formal for a particular situation.
How Natural Does “Please Be Informed” Sound to Native English Speakers?
Native speakers understand “please be informed” easily, but their reaction depends on the context.
In formal settings, it sounds acceptable:
Please be informed that the building will undergo renovations next month.
This sounds like a building notice or official announcement.
In a friendly workplace email, it may sound somewhat cold:
Please be informed that I have completed the report.
A colleague might naturally write:
I’d like to let you know that I have completed the report.
or:
Please note that I have completed the report.
The difference is not grammar but tone.
“Please be informed” creates emotional distance. It sounds as though the sender is making an official statement rather than having a conversation.
For example:
Formal and appropriate:
Please be informed that the company policy has been updated.
Less natural between coworkers:
Please be informed that I will arrive late today.
A coworker would usually say:
Just letting you know that I’ll be late today.
or:
I wanted to let you know that I’ll be arriving late today.
The phrase is not wrong; it is simply more formal than necessary in many everyday situations.
Is “Please Be Informed” Polite or Too Formal?
“Please be informed” is polite in a formal sense, but it is not always warm or friendly.
Politeness in English depends not only on using polite words but also on matching the tone to the relationship and situation.
For example:
Please be informed that your appointment has been canceled.
This is polite and professional.
However:
Please be informed that we are sorry for the inconvenience.
may sound less personal than:
We’re sorry for the inconvenience. We wanted to let you know that your appointment has been canceled.
The first version sounds like an official notice. The second sounds more human and customer-focused.
The phrase works well when:
- Sharing official information
- Announcing changes
- Communicating policies
- Sending formal notifications
- Writing institutional messages
It may feel inappropriate when:
- Speaking with friends
- Messaging coworkers casually
- Giving personal updates
- Expressing sympathy or warmth
For example, saying:
Please be informed that I miss you.
would sound extremely unnatural because the phrase does not match the emotional purpose.
When Should You Use “Please Be Informed” in Professional Communication?
In professional communication, “please be informed” can be useful when the message has an official or administrative purpose.
Suitable examples include:
Company announcements
Please be informed that the company holiday schedule has been revised.
Customer notifications
Please be informed that your subscription will expire on June 30.
Policy updates
Please be informed that the new security procedures will take effect next week.
Formal workplace messages
Please be informed that the meeting location has been changed to Conference Room B.
In these situations, the phrase helps create a neutral, professional tone.
However, many modern businesses prefer clearer and more direct language. Professional writing today often values simplicity over traditional formal expressions.
Instead of:
Please be informed that your request cannot be processed at this time.
Many companies write:
We’re sorry, but we’re unable to process your request at this time.
The second version feels more approachable.
Is “Please Be Informed” Appropriate in Emails?
The answer depends on the type of email.
For official emails, it is acceptable:
Dear Customers,
Please be informed that our service will be temporarily unavailable on Saturday.
For internal emails, it may depend on the workplace culture.
A message to employees:
Please be informed that the office will close early tomorrow.
is acceptable, especially from management.
But a message to a teammate:
Please be informed that I finished the task.
sounds unnecessarily formal.
More natural options include:
I wanted to let you know that I finished the task.
or:
Just a quick note to say that I’ve finished the task.
Email examples:
Formal:
Dear Residents,
Please be informed that water service will be interrupted on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Professional but warmer:
Hello Sarah,
I wanted to let you know that the documents have been reviewed and approved.
Casual:
Hi Mark, just letting you know that the meeting time has changed.
The best choice depends on your audience.
Situations Where “Please Be Informed” May Sound Awkward
Although correct, “please be informed” can sound unnatural when the message is personal, casual, or conversational.
Personal updates
Awkward:
Please be informed that I have arrived home safely.
Natural:
I just wanted to let you know that I got home safely.
Friendly conversations
Awkward:
Please be informed that I enjoyed the movie.
Natural:
I really enjoyed the movie.
Simple workplace updates
Awkward:
Please be informed that I have sent the file.
Natural:
I’ve sent the file.
Emotional communication
Awkward:
Please be informed that I appreciate your support.
Natural:
I really appreciate your support.
The issue is not correctness. The problem is that “please be informed” creates a formal announcement style, which may not fit personal communication.
Better Alternatives to “Please Be Informed”
Different alternatives create different tones.
| Alternative | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Please note | Professional and neutral | Emails, instructions, reminders |
| Please be aware | Neutral and informative | Warnings and important details |
| I’d like to let you know | Polite and personal | Workplace communication |
| This is to inform you | Very formal | Official notices |
| We would like to inform you | Formal and professional | Business announcements |
| Just letting you know | Casual and friendly | Everyday messages |
“Please note”
This is one of the closest alternatives.
Example:
Please note that the deadline has been moved to Friday.
It sounds professional without being as stiff.
“Please be aware”
This often suggests that the information is important or requires attention.
Example:
Please be aware that construction work may cause delays.
“I’d like to let you know”
This sounds more personal.
Example:
I’d like to let you know that your application has been accepted.
“This is to inform you”
This is also formal and common in official writing.
Example:
This is to inform you that your account has been updated.
However, it can sound bureaucratic in casual professional messages.
Common Mistakes When Using “Please Be Informed”
Several mistakes occur when people use this expression.
Mistake 1: Using it for requests
Incorrect:
Please be informed to submit your documents by Friday.
“Be informed” does not mean “do something.”
Correct:
Please be informed that documents must be submitted by Friday.
or:
Please submit your documents by Friday.
Mistake 2: Using it in friendly messages
Incorrect:
Please be informed that I love your gift.
Better:
I just wanted to say that I love your gift.
Mistake 3: Adding unnecessary words
Incorrect:
Please kindly be informed that…
Although “please kindly” appears in some formal writing, it is often repetitive. Usually, one polite marker is enough.
Better:
Please be informed that…
or:
Kindly note that…
Mistake 4: Assuming it always sounds polite
A phrase can be polite but still feel distant. Consider your relationship with the reader before choosing it.
How American and British English Use “Please Be Informed”
The phrase is understood in both American and British English. There is no major difference in meaning between the two varieties.
However, both American and British speakers often prefer simpler wording in everyday professional communication.
In formal notices, both varieties may use:
Please be informed that the service will be unavailable.
In ordinary workplace emails, speakers from both regions may prefer:
Please note that the service will be unavailable.
or:
We wanted to let you know that the service will be unavailable.
The difference is mainly about communication style rather than geography.
How to Choose the Right Expression for Your Audience
Choosing between “please be informed” and other options depends on three questions:
1. Who is reading the message?
A government office, customer group, or large organization may expect formal wording.
A coworker or friend usually prefers simpler language.
2. What is your purpose?
If you are announcing a policy:
Please be informed that the policy has changed.
works well.
If you are sharing a personal update:
I wanted to let you know…
is better.
3. What feeling do you want to create?
Use “please be informed” when you want:
- Formality
- Neutrality
- Official communication
Choose another phrase when you want:
- Warmth
- Friendliness
- Personal connection
Good communication is not only about being grammatically correct. It is about choosing language that matches the situation.
FAQs
Is it correct to say “please be informed” in English?
Yes, “please be informed” is correct English. It is a formal expression used to tell someone to be aware of information. However, it may sound too official in casual conversations or friendly emails.
What does “please be informed” mean?
“Please be informed” means “please be aware” or “please take notice of this information.” It introduces an announcement, update, warning, or formal notification rather than a personal message.
Is “please be informed” polite?
Yes, it is polite, but its politeness is formal rather than warm. It works well in official communication but may sound distant when used with friends, colleagues, or personal contacts.
Is “please be informed” professional?
Yes, “please be informed” is professional and suitable for formal workplace communication, customer notices, and official announcements. In many modern business emails, simpler alternatives may sound more natural.
What is a more natural alternative to “please be informed”?
Common alternatives include “please note,” “please be aware,” “I’d like to let you know,” and “we would like to inform you.” The best choice depends on how formal or personal you want to sound.
Can I use “please be informed” in an email?
Yes, you can use it in emails, especially formal ones. For everyday workplace emails, consider whether a simpler phrase would sound clearer and more approachable.
Final Thoughts
If you are wondering “is it correct to say please be informed?”, the answer is yes. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood in modern English.
It means “please be aware of this information” and is especially suitable for formal announcements, official notices, and professional communication.
However, correctness does not always equal naturalness. While “please be informed” works well in formal contexts, it may sound overly stiff in casual conversations, personal messages, or friendly workplace emails.
In those situations, alternatives such as “please note,” “I’d like to let you know,” or “just letting you know” often sound more natural.
The best choice depends on your audience, purpose, and desired tone. Use “please be informed” when you need a formal notification style, but choose a warmer expression when building a personal connection matters.
I am Sayan Roy, an English language enthusiast dedicated to helping readers understand word meanings, vocabulary, grammar, and useful English expressions through clear, simple, and informative content.
