The phrase “Please disregard my previous email” is clear, but it can come across as abrupt in professional communication. If you’d like a softer, more polished way to correct yourself, there are better alternatives. Instead of using the same phrase, you might say “Kindly ignore my earlier message,” “Apologies for the confusion—please refer to this updated email,” or “Please consider this email as the corrected version.”
Using alternatives like these keeps your tone professional and courteous while ensuring your recipient focuses on the right information.
Definition
The phrase “Please disregard my previous email” is a polite way to request that the recipient ignore the content of an email that was previously sent. This request can be made for various reasons, such as the email containing incorrect information, being sent prematurely, or no longer being relevant.
The goal is to minimize confusion and ensure the recipient acts on the correct information or instruction.
Essentially, it’s a way of saying, “The information I sent earlier is no longer valid, so please don’t act on it.” This phrase is typically used in professional or formal communication settings. While straightforward, the effectiveness of this phrase lies in the clarity and brevity of the explanation that follows.
It’s essential to provide a reason for the retraction to avoid confusion and maintain trust.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of retracting an email involves a few key components:
- Acknowledgement: Acknowledge the previous email.
- Retraction Request: State that the previous email should be disregarded.
- Explanation (Optional but Recommended): Briefly explain why the email should be disregarded.
- Corrected Information (If Applicable): Provide the correct information or updated instructions.
- Apology (If Necessary): Offer a brief apology for any inconvenience caused.
Here’s a breakdown of how these components can be combined:
Basic Structure: “Please disregard my previous email.”
With Explanation: “Please disregard my previous email, as it contained incorrect figures.”
With Corrected Information: “Please disregard my previous email. The correct deadline is October 27th.”
With Apology: “Please disregard my previous email. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”
Complete Structure: “Please disregard my previous email, as the information was outdated. The updated report is attached. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
Other Ways to Say Please Disregard My Previous Email
There are several categories of phrases you can use to replace “Please disregard my previous email,” depending on the context and the level of formality required.
1. Formal Alternatives
These are suitable for professional settings, interactions with superiors, or when a high degree of respect is required.
2. Semi-Formal Alternatives
These alternatives are appropriate for everyday workplace communication with colleagues and clients.
3. Informal Alternatives
These are best used in internal communications with close colleagues or when the email error is minor.
4. Alternatives Emphasizing Correction
These options highlight that a correction or update is being provided.
5. Alternatives Expressing Regret
These phrases include an apology for the error or inconvenience caused.
Examples
Here are some alternative phrases categorized for different situations, along with examples of how to use them in context.
1. Formal Alternatives
These alternatives maintain a high level of professionalism and are suitable for communicating with senior management, clients, or in formal business correspondence. The table below showcases examples that can be used in such scenarios.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Kindly disregard my previous email. | Kindly disregard my previous email concerning the project budget. Revised figures will follow shortly. |
| Please disregard my earlier correspondence. | Please disregard my earlier correspondence regarding the meeting schedule. A revised agenda is attached. |
| I respectfully request that you disregard my previous email. | I respectfully request that you disregard my previous email pertaining to the contract terms. There have been some amendments. |
| It has come to my attention that the previous email contained inaccuracies; please disregard it. | It has come to my attention that the previous email contained inaccuracies; please disregard it. A corrected version is now available. |
| I would be grateful if you could disregard my previous message. | I would be grateful if you could disregard my previous message. I will provide the updated information shortly. |
| Please take no action based on my previous email. | Please take no action based on my previous email. I am sending a follow-up with the correct instructions. |
| I must retract my previous email. | I must retract my previous email regarding the marketing campaign. The strategy has been updated. |
| Please consider my previous email null and void. | Please consider my previous email null and void. The new policy guidelines supersede the previous information. |
| I am writing to request you disregard my prior email communication. | I am writing to request you disregard my prior email communication. A more detailed report will be sent tomorrow. |
| Please disregard the information sent in my previous email. | Please disregard the information sent in my previous email, as it was based on preliminary data. |
| I kindly ask that you disregard my previous message entirely. | I kindly ask that you disregard my previous message entirely. A complete revision is underway. |
| Please disregard my email sent earlier today. | Please disregard my email sent earlier today regarding the quarterly report. The final version is attached. |
| I would appreciate it if you disregarded my previous email. | I would appreciate it if you disregarded my previous email. I will provide a comprehensive update shortly. |
| I hereby request you to disregard my previous email. | I hereby request you to disregard my previous email concerning the product specifications. There have been some changes. |
| Please do not consider my previous email in your decision-making process. | Please do not consider my previous email in your decision-making process. I will provide the necessary context shortly. |
| I strongly advise you to disregard my previous email. | I strongly advise you to disregard my previous email. The situation has evolved significantly. |
| Please treat my previous email as invalid. | Please treat my previous email as invalid. The corrected version follows below. |
| I urgently request that you disregard the email I sent previously. | I urgently request that you disregard the email I sent previously. It contains critical errors. |
| Please disregard all contents of my previous communication. | Please disregard all contents of my previous communication. A revised statement will be issued shortly. |
| I respectfully ask that you ignore the details in my previous email. | I respectfully ask that you ignore the details in my previous email. Current circumstances have altered the situation. |
2. Semi-Formal Alternatives
These alternatives are suitable for general workplace communication with colleagues, clients, and other professional contacts. They strike a balance between politeness and directness.
The following table provides examples of semi-formal phrases.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Please disregard my last email. | Please disregard my last email; I’ve attached the updated document. |
| You can ignore my previous email. | You can ignore my previous email about the meeting time. We’ve rescheduled it. |
| Please disregard the previous message. | Please disregard the previous message concerning the report. The final version is attached. |
| My apologies, please disregard my previous email. | My apologies, please disregard my previous email. I sent the wrong attachment. |
| Please disregard the information in my previous email. | Please disregard the information in my previous email, as it is no longer accurate. |
| Kindly disregard the email I sent earlier. | Kindly disregard the email I sent earlier regarding the budget. There was a miscalculation. |
| I suggest you disregard my previous email. | I suggest you disregard my previous email with the outdated sales figures. |
| Please pay no attention to my previous email. | Please pay no attention to my previous email regarding the project scope. The scope has changed. |
| I would appreciate it if you could disregard my previous email. | I would appreciate it if you could disregard my previous email. I will resend with the correct details. |
| Please disregard my previous email entirely. | Please disregard my previous email entirely. The situation has been resolved. |
| Please disregard the email I sent earlier today. | Please disregard the email I sent earlier today. I’ve made some corrections. |
| You don’t need to worry about my previous email. | You don’t need to worry about my previous email. I’ve already taken care of the issue. |
| Please discard my previous email. | Please discard my previous email. The new instructions are below. |
| Please disregard my previous communication. | Please disregard my previous communication. I have updated information for you. |
| Please disregard my previous message, as it was sent in error. | Please disregard my previous message, as it was sent in error. I apologize for any confusion. |
| Please ignore my previous email for now. | Please ignore my previous email for now. I’ll provide an update later. |
| You can disregard the email I sent before. | You can disregard the email I sent before. The new version is attached. |
| Please don’t consider my previous email. | Please don’t consider my previous email in your planning. The circumstances have changed. |
| Please disregard my email from earlier. | Please disregard my email from earlier. I have new information to share. |
| Please don’t use the information in my previous email. | Please don’t use the information in my previous email. The data is outdated. |
3. Informal Alternatives
Use these phrases when communicating with close colleagues or in situations where a less formal tone is acceptable. These are often used in internal communications where speed and clarity are more important than strict formality.
Here are a few examples:
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Ignore my last email. | Ignore my last email – I messed up the attachment. |
| Disregard that last one. | Disregard that last one; I’m sending the correct version now. |
| Scratch that last email. | Scratch that last email; the project is on hold. |
| Forget about my previous email. | Forget about my previous email; we’re doing things differently now. |
| Oops, ignore my last email. | Oops, ignore my last email. Wrong recipient! |
| Never mind my previous email. | Never mind my previous email; I figured it out. |
| Don’t worry about my last email. | Don’t worry about my last email, I resolved the issue myself. |
| Just ignore my previous email. | Just ignore my previous email, it was a test. |
| My bad, disregard my previous email. | My bad, disregard my previous email; there was a typo. |
| Forget what I just sent. | Forget what I just sent. I’ll explain in person. |
| That last email? Ignore it. | That last email? Ignore it. I’ve got a better idea. |
| Please disregard my previous email – it’s outdated. | Please disregard my previous email – it’s outdated. I’ll send the updated version shortly. |
| Disregard my previous email; I spoke too soon. | Disregard my previous email; I spoke too soon. Things have changed. |
| Just pretend you didn’t see my previous email. | Just pretend you didn’t see my previous email. I’m redoing it now. |
| Disregard the last one; I made a mistake. | Disregard the last one; I made a mistake. I’m resending now. |
| Sorry, ignore my previous email. | Sorry, ignore my previous email. I’m sending the corrected version. |
| Please don’t read my previous email. | Please don’t read my previous email. It was sent to the wrong person. |
| Erase my last email from your memory. | Erase my last email from your memory. I’ll give you the details later. |
| Just pretend my previous email never happened. | Just pretend my previous email never happened, new plan! |
| Disregard my previous email – it’s all wrong. | Disregard my previous email – it’s all wrong. I’ll update you soon. |
4. Alternatives Emphasizing Correction
These phrases are used when you want to emphasize that you are providing a correction or an update to the information previously sent. This helps avoid confusion and ensures the recipient focuses on the correct details.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Please disregard my previous email and refer to the following information. | Please disregard my previous email and refer to the following information regarding the project timeline. |
| Disregard my previous email; here’s the correction. | Disregard my previous email; here’s the correction for the budget figures. |
| Please disregard my previous email and use the updated details below. | Please disregard my previous email and use the updated details below for the client contact information. |
| Please ignore my previous email; the correct version is attached. | Please ignore my previous email; the correct version is attached with the revised report. |
| Disregard my previous email; the information has been updated. | Disregard my previous email; the information has been updated concerning the conference schedule. |
| Please disregard my last email and consider this update. | Please disregard my last email and consider this update to the marketing strategy. |
| Forget my previous email; here’s the accurate data. | Forget my previous email; here’s the accurate data for the sales forecast. |
| Please disregard the previous information; here’s the correct data. | Please disregard the previous information; here’s the correct data about the employee benefits. |
| Disregard my earlier email; please see the corrected details below. | Disregard my earlier email; please see the corrected details below for the meeting location. |
| Please disregard my previous email; I’ve included the accurate details. | Please disregard my previous email; I’ve included the accurate details in this email. |
| Disregard my previous email and use this updated version. | Disregard my previous email and use this updated version of the presentation. |
| Please disregard my previous email – use the data in this message. | Please disregard my previous email – use the data in this message for the quarterly reports. |
| Disregard the last email; this one has the right numbers. | Disregard the last email; this one has the right numbers for the revenue projections. |
| Please ignore my previous email and use the following guidelines. | Please ignore my previous email and use the following guidelines for the new project. |
| Disregard my previous email – this contains the correct information. | Disregard my previous email – this contains the correct information for the training session. |
| Please ignore my previous email and refer to this attachment. | Please ignore my previous email and refer to this attachment for the updated contract. |
| Disregard my previous email – the attached file has the correct data. | Disregard my previous email – the attached file has the correct data for the investment portfolio. |
| Please disregard my previous email; the accurate figures are in this message. | Please disregard my previous email; the accurate figures are in this message regarding the profit margin. |
| Disregard my previous email, please use the data in this message instead. | Disregard my previous email, please use the data in this message instead for the market analysis. |
| Please disregard my previous email, this message contains the final version. | Please disregard my previous email, this message contains the final version of the press release. |
5. Alternatives Expressing Regret
These alternatives include an apology for any inconvenience or confusion caused by the previous email. Adding an apology can help soften the impact of the error and maintain a positive relationship with the recipient.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| My apologies, please disregard my previous email. | My apologies, please disregard my previous email. I sent it prematurely. |
| Sorry for the confusion, please disregard my previous email. | Sorry for the confusion, please disregard my previous email. I included the wrong information. |
| I apologize for any inconvenience, but please disregard my previous email. | I apologize for any inconvenience, but please disregard my previous email. I’m sending a corrected version. |
| Please disregard my previous email, and I apologize for the error. | Please disregard my previous email, and I apologize for the error. The correct details are below. |
| I regret to inform you that you should disregard my previous email. | I regret to inform you that you should disregard my previous email. The situation has changed unexpectedly. |
| Please disregard my previous email; I apologize for the oversight. | Please disregard my previous email; I apologize for the oversight. I will provide the correct details shortly. |
| Sorry for the mistake, please disregard my previous email. | Sorry for the mistake, please disregard my previous email. The new data is attached. |
| My sincere apologies, but please disregard my previous email. | My sincere apologies, but please disregard my previous email. I’m sending the corrected report now. |
| Please disregard my previous email; I’m sorry for any trouble. | Please disregard my previous email; I’m sorry for any trouble. I’ll explain the situation in person. |
| I apologize for the error in my previous email; please disregard it. | I apologize for the error in my previous email; please disregard it. The updated information is below. |
| Sorry about that; please disregard my previous email. | Sorry about that; please disregard my previous email. I accidentally sent the draft version. |
| My apologies for the confusion; please disregard my previous email. | My apologies for the confusion; please disregard my previous email. The matter has been resolved differently. |
| Please disregard my previous email – I apologize for the inconvenience. | Please disregard my previous email – I apologize for the inconvenience. The correct instructions will follow. |
| I am sorry for the error, please disregard the email I sent previously. | I am sorry for the error, please disregard the email I sent previously. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. |
| Please disregard my previous email; apologies for any issues caused. | Please disregard my previous email; apologies for any issues caused. Here’s the corrected statement. |
| I apologize for the mistake, please disregard my earlier email. | I apologize for the mistake, please disregard my earlier email. An updated version is being sent now. |
| Please disregard my previous email; my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. | Please disregard my previous email; my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The situation is being rectified. |
| Sorry for any issues, please disregard my previous email. | Sorry for any issues, please disregard my previous email. I’ve updated the project plan. |
| I want to apologize and ask you to disregard my previous email. | I want to apologize and ask you to disregard my previous email. New information has come to light. |
| Please disregard my previous email, my sincerest apologies for the error. | Please disregard my previous email, my sincerest apologies for the error. I’ll explain in more detail shortly. |
Usage Rules
When using any of these phrases, follow these guidelines to ensure clarity and professionalism:
- Be Prompt: Send the retraction as soon as you realize the error.
- Be Clear: State explicitly that the previous email should be disregarded.
- Be Brief: Keep the explanation concise.
- Be Accurate: Provide correct information if applicable.
- Be Polite: Use a polite tone, especially when apologizing.
- Consider Your Audience: Choose a phrase appropriate for your relationship with the recipient.
Example of good usage: “Please disregard my previous email regarding the meeting location. The meeting will now be held in Conference Room B.”
Example of poor usage: “Ignore that last email. New location.” (Too abrupt and lacks context.)
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when retracting an email:
| Mistake | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|
| Being too vague | “Please disregard my previous email about the project deadline. It has been extended to Friday.” | “Please disregard my previous email. It’s wrong.” |
| Using an inappropriate tone | “My apologies, please disregard my previous email. I sent the wrong attachment.” | “Just ignore my last email. It was stupid.” |
| Not providing a reason | “Please disregard my previous email; the information is outdated.” | “Please disregard my previous email.” |
| Delaying the retraction | Sending the retraction email immediately after realizing the mistake. | Waiting several days to retract the email. |
| Forgetting to correct the information | “Please disregard my previous email. The correct price is $50.” | “Please disregard my previous email.” (Without providing correct price.) |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Rewrite each sentence using a more appropriate phrase to retract the original email.
Exercise 1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Email: “The meeting is at 2 PM.” (Later you realize it’s at 3 PM). How would you retract and correct the time in a semi-formal setting? | Please disregard my previous email. The meeting is actually at 3 PM. |
| 2. Email: You accidentally sent a draft report. How would you retract your email in a formal setting? | Kindly disregard my previous email. The final report will be sent shortly. |
| 3. Email: You sent an email to the wrong person in your team. How would you retract your email in an informal setting? | Oops, ignore my last email. Wrong person! |
| 4. Email: The email contained an incorrect price. How would you retract your email emphasizing the correction? | Please disregard my previous email; the correct price is $75. |
| 5. Email: You sent an email with outdated information. How would you retract your email expressing regret? | I apologize for any inconvenience, but please disregard my previous email. The information is outdated. |
| 6. Email: You sent an email with the wrong attachment. How would you retract your email in a semi-formal setting? | Please disregard my previous email; I’ve attached the correct document. |
| 7. Email: You sent an email with incorrect sales figures. How would you retract your email in a formal setting? | I respectfully request that you disregard my previous email. A corrected version with the accurate sales figures will follow. |
| 8. Email: You sent an email with a typo in the date. How would you retract your email emphasizing the correction? | Disregard my previous email; the correct date is June 15th. |
| 9. Email: You sent an email with preliminary data. How would you retract your email expressing regret? | My apologies, but please disregard my previous email. The data was preliminary. |
| 10. Email: You sent an email with a wrong link. How would you retract your email in an informal setting? | Never mind my previous email; here’s the correct link. |
Exercise 2
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. You sent an email with the wrong project name. Retract it formally. | I respectfully request that you disregard my previous email. The correct project name is Project Phoenix. |
| 2. You sent an email with a missing file. Retract it semi-formally. | Please disregard my last email. I’ve attached the missing file now. |
| 3. You gave the wrong instructions in your email. Retract it informally. | Scratch that last email; new instructions coming up. |
| 4. Your previous email contained incorrect budget figures. Emphasize the correction. | Please disregard my previous email and use the updated budget figures below. |
| 5. You sent an email before confirming some details. Express regret. | Sorry for the confusion, please disregard my previous email. I need to confirm some details first. |
| 6. Your previous email had an incorrect meeting link. Retract it semi-formally. | Please disregard my previous email; the correct meeting link is: [New Link]. |
| 7. You sent the email to the wrong distribution list. Retract it formally. | I am writing to request you disregard my prior email communication. It was sent to the incorrect distribution list. |
| 8. The email contained an outdated proposal. Emphasize the correction. | Please disregard my previous email and refer to the updated proposal attached. |
| 9. You sent an email without proofreading it. Express regret. | I apologize for any inconvenience, but please disregard my previous email due to several typos. |
| 10. You sent an email with outdated pricing. Retract informally. | Forget about my previous email; New pricing is here! |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects:
- Email Recall: Some email systems offer a recall feature. Understand how to use it effectively, but be aware that it’s not always reliable.
- Legal Implications: In certain situations, an email retraction might have legal implications. Consult with legal counsel if necessary.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that the level of formality acceptable in email communication can vary across cultures.
FAQ
Q: Is it always necessary to apologize when retracting an email?
A: No, it’s not always necessary, but it’s often a good idea. If the error caused significant confusion or inconvenience, an apology is appropriate. If the error was minor and easily corrected, a simple retraction may suffice.
Q: What if I don’t know the correct information yet?
A: In this case, explain that you will provide the correct information as soon as possible. For example, “Please disregard my previous email regarding the project timeline. I am still confirming the details and will send an update shortly.”
Q: What if the recipient has already acted on the incorrect information?
A: If the recipient has already acted on the incorrect information, address the situation directly and offer assistance to correct any resulting issues. For example, “I apologize for the incorrect information in my previous email. If you have already [taken the action], please [take this counter-action]. Let me know if you need any help.”
Q: How do I retract an email sent to a large group?
A: When retracting an email sent to a large group, be clear and concise in your retraction. Emphasize the importance of disregarding the previous information and provide the correct details immediately. If possible, use a high-priority flag to ensure visibility.
Q: Should I use the email recall feature in Outlook?
A: The email recall feature in Outlook can be useful, but it’s not foolproof. It only works if the recipient is using Outlook and hasn’t yet opened the email. Always follow up with a separate email to ensure the recipient is aware of the retraction.
Q: How formal should my retraction be?
A: The level of formality should match the context of the original email and your relationship with the recipient. If the original email was formal, use a formal retraction. If it was informal, an informal retraction is acceptable.
Q: What if I’m not sure why the email was incorrect?
A: If you’re not sure why the email was incorrect, it’s still important to retract it. You can say something like, “Please disregard my previous email. I am investigating the issue and will provide an update as soon as possible.”
Q: Is it better to retract an email or send a follow-up with corrections?
A: It depends on the situation. If the email contained a significant error that could cause confusion or problems, it’s best to retract it. If the error was minor and easily corrected, a follow-up email with the corrections may be sufficient.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of retracting an email is a valuable skill in professional communication. By understanding the various phrases and their appropriate contexts, you can confidently correct errors, avoid confusion, and maintain your credibility.
Remember to be prompt, clear, and polite when retracting an email, and always consider your audience.
By using the examples, following the usage rules, and avoiding common mistakes outlined in this article, you can effectively navigate email communication challenges and ensure your messages are accurate and professional. Practice these phrases and integrate them into your communication style to enhance your overall effectiveness.