Other Ways to Say "Per Our Conversation"

“Per our conversation” is a standard way to reference a previous discussion—but it can sound overly formal or robotic in frequent use. For a more natural tone, try saying “As we discussed,” “Following up on our talk,” or “Just to recap our earlier conversation.”

Using fresher, friendlier phrases can help your communication feel more human while still staying professional. This guide offers practical alternatives to “Per our conversation” that fit business emails, client updates, team messages, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Definition of “Per Our Conversation”
Structural Breakdown
Types and Categories of Alternatives
Examples
Usage Rules
Common Mistakes
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics
FAQ
Conclusion

Definition of “Per Our Conversation”

The phrase “per our conversation” is a common idiom used to indicate that the information or action being discussed is a direct result or consequence of a previous discussion. It essentially means “as we discussed” or “according to our conversation.” It’s a polite and concise way to refer back to an agreement, plan, or understanding reached through dialogue.

The phrase is generally considered appropriate for both written and spoken communication, though its level of formality can vary depending on the context.

The word “per” is a preposition that means “according to” or “by means of.” In this context, it establishes a connection between the current statement and the previous conversation. “Our conversation” refers to a specific dialogue that the speaker or writer had with the recipient, where the relevant details were discussed and, ideally, agreed upon.

The phrase assumes that the recipient remembers the conversation and its key points.

The phrase functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb or clause that follows it. It provides context and clarifies the basis for the subsequent statement.

For example, in the sentence “Per our conversation, I have attached the revised document,” the phrase “per our conversation” explains why the document is being attached. It indicates that the attachment is a direct result of a discussion between the sender and the recipient.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of the phrase “per our conversation” is relatively simple. It consists of the preposition “per” followed by the possessive pronoun “our” and the noun “conversation.” This structure is fixed and doesn’t typically allow for variations.

The key element is the preposition “per,” which establishes the relationship of accordance or agreement.

The phrase usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, setting the context for the information that follows. It can also be placed within a sentence, although this is less common.

When placed at the beginning, it’s often followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. For example: “Per our conversation, the deadline has been extended.”

Here’s a breakdown of the structural elements:

Per: Preposition indicating “according to” or “by means of.”
Our: Possessive pronoun indicating that the conversation was between the speaker/writer and the recipient.
Conversation: Noun referring to the dialogue or discussion that took place.

The phrase’s effectiveness lies in its brevity and clarity. It efficiently conveys the idea that the following information is based on a prior agreement or understanding.

However, its simplicity can also lead to overuse, which is why exploring alternative expressions is beneficial.

Types and Categories of Alternatives

There are several categories of alternatives to “per our conversation,” each suitable for different contexts and levels of formality. These categories include formal, semi-formal, informal, and context-specific alternatives.

Understanding these categories will help you choose the most appropriate phrase for your specific communication needs.

Formal Alternatives

Formal alternatives are suitable for professional settings, official correspondence, and situations where a high degree of respect and formality is required. These phrases often use more sophisticated vocabulary and avoid contractions or colloquialisms.

They are appropriate for communicating with senior management, clients, or external stakeholders.

Examples of formal alternatives include:

As discussed,
Pursuant to our discussion,
In accordance with our conversation,
Following our discussion,
With reference to our conversation,

Semi-Formal Alternatives

Semi-formal alternatives are appropriate for most workplace communications, including emails to colleagues, internal memos, and presentations. These phrases strike a balance between formality and approachability, making them versatile for a wide range of situations.

They are generally more conversational than formal alternatives but still maintain a professional tone.

Examples of semi-formal alternatives include:

As we discussed,
Based on our conversation,
Following up on our discussion,
Like we talked about,
As per our discussion,

Informal Alternatives

Informal alternatives are best suited for casual conversations with close colleagues, friends, or family members. These phrases use everyday language and may include colloquialisms or slang.

They are appropriate for situations where a relaxed and friendly tone is desired. However, it’s important to use these phrases judiciously in professional settings.

Examples of informal alternatives include:

Like I said,
Remember how we talked about,
As I mentioned,
You know how we were saying,
About what we were talking about,

Context-Specific Alternatives

Context-specific alternatives are tailored to the specific topic or purpose of the communication. These phrases provide more detail and clarity than generic alternatives, making them particularly useful for complex or nuanced situations.

They often refer to specific actions, decisions, or agreements that were made during the conversation.

Examples of context-specific alternatives include:

Regarding our agreement on [topic],
In light of our decision to [action],
Following our agreement to [task],
Concerning our discussion about [issue],
With regard to the plan we outlined for [project],

Examples

This section provides extensive examples of how to use the different alternatives to “per our conversation” in various contexts. The examples are organized by category to illustrate the nuances of each phrase and its appropriate usage.

Formal Examples

The following table provides examples of formal alternatives to “per our conversation” in professional settings. These examples are suitable for official correspondence, reports, and formal presentations.

The table below showcases formal alternatives to “per our conversation” along with sentences using those alternatives.

Alternative	Example Sentence
As discussed,	As discussed, the revised budget will be submitted by Friday.
Pursuant to our discussion,	Pursuant to our discussion, we have initiated the necessary steps to address the issue.
In accordance with our conversation,	In accordance with our conversation, the contract has been amended to reflect the new terms.
Following our discussion,	Following our discussion, a detailed report will be prepared and submitted for your review.
With reference to our conversation,	With reference to our conversation, I am forwarding the relevant documents for your consideration.
In light of our deliberations,	In light of our deliberations, the committee has decided to postpone the decision until next month.
Subsequent to our meeting,	Subsequent to our meeting, I have compiled the data you requested.
Referring to our previous exchange,	Referring to our previous exchange, I am clarifying the points of contention.
Based on our dialogue,	Based on our dialogue, we have adjusted the project timeline.
Considering our exchange,	Considering our exchange, the proposed changes have been implemented.
As agreed upon during our discussion,	As agreed upon during our discussion, the payment schedule has been modified.
In compliance with our understanding,	In compliance with our understanding, the confidentiality agreement has been executed.
Consistent with our dialogue,	Consistent with our dialogue, the new policy has been disseminated to all employees.
In line with our meeting’s conclusions,	In line with our meeting’s conclusions, the marketing strategy has been updated.
According to the points raised in our conversation,	According to the points raised in our conversation, the safety protocols have been enhanced.
Bearing in mind our discussion,	Bearing in mind our discussion, the resource allocation has been re-evaluated.
In consideration of our dialogue,	In consideration of our dialogue, the training program has been customized.
Reflecting on our exchange,	Reflecting on our exchange, the customer service approach has been refined.
Revisiting our discussions,	Revisiting our discussions, I’d like to provide updated sales figures.
Further to our conversation,	Further to our conversation, a detailed breakdown of the cost is attached.

Semi-Formal Examples

The following table provides examples of semi-formal alternatives to “per our conversation” in workplace communications. These examples are suitable for emails to colleagues, internal memos, and presentations where a balance between formality and approachability is desired.

Below is a table showing semi-formal alternatives, with example sentences.

Alternative	Example Sentence
As we discussed,	As we discussed, please submit your expense reports by the end of the week.
Based on our conversation,	Based on our conversation, I’ve made the necessary changes to the presentation.
Following up on our discussion,	Following up on our discussion, I wanted to confirm that you received the documents.
Like we talked about,	Like we talked about, I’m sending you the contact information for the vendor.
As per our discussion,	As per our discussion, the meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 2 PM.
Remember when we talked about,	Remember when we talked about, I’ve started working on the new marketing campaign.
In continuation of our dialogue,	In continuation of our dialogue, I would like to add some details about the project.
Relating to our previous talk,	Relating to our previous talk, I’ve arranged for the team to meet next week.
In reference to what we talked about,	In reference to what we talked about, please see the attached file for more information.
Subsequent to our chat,	Subsequent to our chat, I’ve prepared a summary of the key points.
After our discussion,	After our discussion, I contacted the client to confirm the details.
As a follow-up to our conversation,	As a follow-up to our conversation, I am sending you the updated report.
Just like we were saying,	Just like we were saying, the deadline for the project has been extended.
Following along the lines of our chat,	Following along the lines of our chat, I’ve created a preliminary design.
In accordance with our chat,	In accordance with our chat, I’ve scheduled a meeting with the stakeholders.
Keeping in mind what we discussed,	Keeping in mind what we discussed, I’ve approached the problem with a new strategy.
Based on the points we discussed,	Based on the points we discussed, I’ve drafted a proposal for the new initiative.
Remembering our conversation,	Remembering our conversation, I’ve made sure to include all the necessary information.
As a result of our chat,	As a result of our chat, I’ve decided to change the approach.
Reflecting on our chat,	Reflecting on our chat, I’ll move forward with the suggestions you made.

Informal Examples

The following table provides examples of informal alternatives to “per our conversation” in casual settings. These examples are suitable for conversations with close colleagues, friends, or family members.

Use these sparingly in professional settings.

The table presented below contains informal alternatives and their respective example sentences.

Alternative	Example Sentence
Like I said,	Like I said, I’m going to the store later.
Remember how we talked about,	Remember how we talked about, we should plan a trip to the beach.
As I mentioned,	As I mentioned, I’m bringing food to the party.
You know how we were saying,	You know how we were saying, we should try that new restaurant.
About what we were talking about,	About what we were talking about, I finished the book you recommended.
Like we were saying earlier,	Like we were saying earlier, the movie starts at 7 PM.
Remember our chat about,	Remember our chat about, I’m considering changing jobs.
As I was telling you,	As I was telling you, I had a great time on vacation.
You recall our discussion,	You recall our discussion, I’m thinking of buying a new car.
Like we discussed the other day,	Like we discussed the other day, I’m going to start exercising.
Remember us talking about,	Remember us talking about, let’s try a new recipe this week.
Like I told you before,	Like I told you before, I can’t make it to the meeting.
As we were saying,	As we were saying, the weather is supposed to be nice this weekend.
You remember our conversation,	You remember our conversation, I’m going to visit my family next month.
Like we chatted about,	Like we chatted about, I’m planning a surprise party.
Remember what we were talking about,	Remember what we were talking about, I’m thinking of learning a new language.
As I said just now,	As I said just now, I need to leave early.
You know what we discussed,	You know what we discussed, I’m going to apply for that scholarship.
Like we were saying before,	Like we were saying before, that show is really good.
You remember how we said,	You remember how we said, we should go camping soon.

Context-Specific Examples

The following table provides examples of context-specific alternatives to “per our conversation” that are tailored to the specific topic or purpose of the communication. These examples provide more detail and clarity than generic alternatives.

The table provided below illustrates context-specific alternatives, offering example sentences tailored to various scenarios.

Usage Rules

When using alternatives to “per our conversation,” it’s important to consider the context, audience, and level of formality. The goal is to choose a phrase that is clear, concise, and appropriate for the situation.

Here are some general usage rules:

Formal vs. Informal: Use formal alternatives in professional settings and official correspondence. Use semi-formal alternatives for most workplace communications. Reserve informal alternatives for casual conversations with close colleagues, friends, or family.
Clarity: Ensure that the alternative phrase is clear and unambiguous. Avoid using phrases that could be misinterpreted or confusing.
Conciseness: Choose a phrase that is as concise as possible while still conveying the intended meaning. Avoid using overly verbose or convoluted language.
Audience: Consider your audience when choosing an alternative phrase. Use language that they will understand and appreciate.
Context: Tailor your choice of phrase to the specific context of the communication. Use context-specific alternatives when appropriate.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent tone and level of formality throughout your communication. Avoid mixing formal and informal language.

It’s also important to ensure that the recipient remembers the conversation being referenced. If there’s a chance that they may have forgotten the details, it may be helpful to provide a brief summary or reminder.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using a phrase that is too formal or too informal for the context. For example, using an informal phrase like “Like I said” in a formal business letter would be inappropriate.

Conversely, using a highly formal phrase like “Pursuant to our discussion” in a casual conversation with a colleague might sound stilted or pretentious.

Another common mistake is using a phrase that is unclear or ambiguous. For example, using a vague phrase like “As we talked about” without specifying the topic of the conversation could lead to confusion.

It’s important to be specific and provide enough context so that the recipient understands what you’re referring to.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Like I said, the budget is due tomorrow. (in a formal email)	As discussed, the budget is due tomorrow.	“Like I said” is too informal for a formal email.
Pursuant to our discussion, let’s grab coffee sometime. (to a close friend)	Remember when we talked about getting coffee? Let’s do it sometime.	“Pursuant to our discussion” is too formal for a casual conversation.
As we talked about, I’m working on it. (without specifying what “it” is)	As we talked about regarding the marketing plan, I’m working on it.	The original sentence is too vague. The corrected sentence specifies the topic.
In accordance with our chat, I’m just chilling. (in an email to your boss)	Based on our conversation, I am currently addressing the tasks assigned to me.	“In accordance with our chat” is too casual, and “just chilling” is completely unprofessional.
Following our discussion, ya know what I mean? (in a presentation)	Following our discussion, the next steps are to…	Avoid colloquialisms like “ya know what I mean?” in formal settings.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of alternatives to “per our conversation” with these practice exercises. Choose the most appropriate alternative for each sentence, considering the context and level of formality.

Exercise 1: Choose the best alternative for each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
____, please submit your reports by Friday. (Email to colleagues)	a) Like I said, b) As we discussed, c) Pursuant to our discussion	b) As we discussed,
____, we should plan a trip to the beach. (Casual conversation with a friend)	a) In accordance with our conversation, b) Remember how we talked about, c) Following our discussion	b) Remember how we talked about,
____, the contract has been amended. (Official letter to a client)	a) As per our discussion, b) With reference to our conversation, c) Like we talked about	b) With reference to our conversation,
____, I’m bringing food to the party. (Casual conversation with a friend)	a) As I mentioned, b) In light of our decision, c) With regard to our discussion	a) As I mentioned,
____, the budget will be submitted by Friday. (Formal report to management)	a) As discussed, b) You know how we were saying, c) Like I told you	a) As discussed,
____, I’ve made the necessary changes. (Email to colleagues)	a) Based on our conversation, b) Remember our chat about, c) You recall our discussion	a) Based on our conversation,
____, let’s meet for lunch next week. (Casual conversation with a colleague)	a) As we were saying, b) Following our discussion, c) Like we were saying earlier	c) Like we were saying earlier
____, the project timeline has been adjusted. (Formal project update)	a) Based on our dialogue, b) Remember us talking about, c) As I said just now	a) Based on our dialogue,
____, the new policy has been distributed. (Company-wide memo)	a) Consistent with our dialogue, b) You know what we discussed, c) Like we chatted about	a) Consistent with our dialogue,
____, the marketing strategy has been updated. (Internal team meeting)	a) In line with our meeting’s conclusions, b) Like we were saying before, c) Remember what we were talking about	a) In line with our meeting’s conclusions,

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences using a more appropriate alternative to “per our conversation.”

Original Sentence	Rewritten Sentence
Per our conversation, please find attached the document. (Formal email)	As discussed, please find attached the document.
Per our conversation, we’re going to the movies tonight. (Casual conversation)	Remember when we talked about going to the movies? We’re going tonight.
Per our conversation, the deadline has been extended. (Email to colleagues)	As we discussed, the deadline has been extended.
Per our conversation, I’m working on the presentation. (Email to manager)	Based on our conversation, I’m working on the presentation.
Per our conversation, we should try that new restaurant. (Casual conversation)	You know how we were saying, we should try that new restaurant.
Per our conversation, the revised budget is attached. (Formal report)	As discussed, the revised budget is attached.
Per our conversation, I will send the report by Friday. (Email to colleague)	As per our discussion, I will send the report by Friday.
Per our conversation, let’s plan a meeting next week. (Casual conversation)	Like we said, let’s plan a meeting next week.
Per our conversation, I’m bringing a dessert to the party. (Casual conversation)	As I mentioned, I’m bringing a dessert to the party.
Per our conversation, the new training schedule will be released soon. (Company memo)	Following our discussion, the new training schedule will be released soon.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, it’s helpful to understand the nuances of these phrases in specific contexts and to use them creatively to enhance communication. One advanced technique is to combine these phrases with other rhetorical devices to create a more impactful message.

For example, you could use a formal alternative followed by a persuasive argument to convince your audience of a particular point of view.

Another advanced topic is the use of these phrases in cross-cultural communication. Different cultures may have different expectations regarding formality and directness, so it’s important to be aware of these differences when communicating with people from other cultures.

In some cultures, a more indirect or polite approach may be preferred, while in others, a more direct and concise approach may be more effective.

Furthermore, understanding the etymology of the word “per” and its historical usage can provide a deeper appreciation for the phrase “per our conversation” and its alternatives. “Per” has Latin origins and has been used in English for centuries to indicate accordance or agreement.

Understanding this historical context can help you use the phrase more effectively and confidently.

FAQ

This section addresses frequently asked questions about alternatives to “per our conversation.”

Is “per our conversation” always appropriate?
While generally acceptable, it can become repetitive. Consider using alternatives to add variety to your language and tailor your message to the specific context.
What’s the difference between “as discussed” and “pursuant to our discussion”?
“As discussed” is a more general and semi-formal alternative, while “pursuant to our discussion” is more formal and indicates that the action is being taken in accordance with a formal agreement or understanding.
Can I use informal alternatives in a professional setting?
It depends on your relationship with your colleagues and the company culture. In general, it’s best to avoid informal alternatives in formal communications or when communicating with senior management or external stakeholders.
How can I make sure the recipient remembers the conversation I’m referring to?
Provide a brief summary or reminder of the key points of the conversation. You can also refer to specific dates, times, or topics to help jog their memory.
Are there any alternatives that are specifically suitable for email communication?
“As we discussed,” “Following up on our discussion,” and “Based on our conversation” are all good choices for email communication.
How do I choose the best alternative for a specific situation?
Consider the context, audience, level of formality, and the specific topic of the conversation. Choose a phrase that is clear, concise, and appropriate for the situation.
What if I am unsure if the recipient remembers our conversation?
It is always a good idea to provide a brief recap of the main points of the conversation. This will ensure clarity and avoid any misunderstandings. You can say something like, “As we discussed on [date] regarding [topic],…”
Is it ever better to avoid using any reference to a previous conversation?
Yes, if the information is very simple and straightforward or if referencing the conversation adds unnecessary complexity, it might be better to simply state the information directly.

Conclusion

Mastering alternatives to “per our conversation” is a valuable skill that can enhance your communication in various settings. By understanding the nuances of formal, semi-formal, informal, and context-specific alternatives, you can choose the most appropriate phrase for any situation.

Remember to consider the context, audience, and level of formality when making your choice. The key takeaway is adopting a flexible and adaptable approach to language, allowing you to convey your message with greater precision and impact.

By incorporating these alternatives into your vocabulary, you’ll not only avoid repetition but also demonstrate a greater command of the English language. This will make you a more effective communicator and enhance your credibility in both professional and personal contexts.

Continue practicing these phrases and experimenting with different variations to refine your communication skills and achieve your desired outcomes. Remember, effective communication is a continuous journey of learning and improvement.

Other Ways to Say “Per Our Conversation”