At some point, we’ve all hit send a little too soon. Maybe it was a detail that changed at the last minute or a document that wasn’t quite ready—whatever the reason, asking someone to ignore that email can feel awkward.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to. Instead of relying on “Please discard my previous email” every time, there are several ways to say it that keep things clear, polished, and even more personable. In this article, we’ll dive into ten alternative ways to ask someone to disregard an earlier email.
What to Say Instead of “Please Discard My Previous Email”
Here are ten alternative ways to say “Please Discard My Previous Email”:
- “Kindly disregard my last email.”
- “Please ignore the previous message.”
- “Apologies, the last email is outdated—please overlook it.”
- “Please consider my previous email null and void.”
- “My last email contains errors; kindly disregard it.”
- “Please treat my last message as if it was not sent.”
- “Ignore my earlier email; it’s no longer relevant.”
- “The prior email was incorrect; please disregard it.”
- “Please disregard my earlier message and refer to this one instead.”
- “Apologies for the confusion; please disregard my previous email.”
1. “Kindly disregard my last email.”
This phrase is polite and straightforward, letting the recipient know that the previous email should be ignored. “Kindly disregard my last email” is formal yet gentle, which is ideal in professional settings where you want to maintain clarity without creating confusion.
It’s simple and respectful, making it suitable for all types of workplace communication.
Example:
“Kindly disregard my last email. I realized I sent outdated information, and I’ll follow up with the correct details shortly.”
2. “Please ignore the previous message.”
This phrase is brief and to the point, letting the recipient know that the prior message isn’t relevant. “Please ignore the previous message” works well when you need to quickly correct an error and focus the recipient’s attention on the new information. It’s effective in both formal and casual settings.
Example:
“Please ignore the previous message about tomorrow’s meeting. The correct details will be in the updated email.”
3. “Apologies, the last email is outdated—please overlook it.”
This phrase includes an apology, adding a courteous touch. By saying, “the last email is outdated,” you clarify why the message is being retracted, helping to minimize any potential confusion. It’s especially useful in professional settings where frequent updates are common, and clarity is essential.
Example:
“Apologies, the last email is outdated—please overlook it. I’ll be sending the revised agenda shortly.”
4. “Please consider my previous email null and void.”
This formal phrase effectively conveys that the prior email is no longer relevant. “Please consider my previous email null and void” is ideal when dealing with official or contract-related information where it’s essential to ensure there’s no misunderstanding. It’s suitable for formal settings where precision is required.
Example:
“Please consider my previous email null and void due to an error in the details. I’ll follow up with the corrected information.”
5. “My last email contains errors; kindly disregard it.”
This phrase is clear and professional, explaining that there were errors in the previous email, which should be ignored. “Kindly disregard it” maintains a respectful tone, making it effective for professional communication where you need to correct an honest mistake quickly and professionally.
Example:
“My last email contains errors; kindly disregard it. I’ll be sending the accurate figures in my next message.”
6. “Please treat my last message as if it was not sent.”
This phrase politely suggests that the previous message should be overlooked entirely. “Please treat my last message as if it was not sent” is ideal for situations where the information was incorrect or misleading, encouraging the recipient to ignore it without further thought.
Example:
“Please treat my last message as if it was not sent. I made an error in the document attached, and I’ll send the revised version soon.”
7. “Ignore my earlier email; it’s no longer relevant.”
This phrase is informal yet effective, suggesting that the previous email is no longer useful or applicable. “Ignore my earlier email” is helpful when updates or changes make the previous communication obsolete, making it suitable for less formal settings or team communications.
Example:
“Ignore my earlier email about the project deadline—it’s no longer relevant as we’ve decided to extend it.”
8. “The prior email was incorrect; please disregard it.”
This phrase is straightforward and to the point, clarifying that the previous email was inaccurate. By saying “please disregard it,” you’re directing the recipient’s focus toward future, corrected communication, which is especially helpful in fast-paced work environments where accuracy is essential.
Example:
“The prior email was incorrect; please disregard it. I’ll send the updated information immediately.”
9. “Please disregard my earlier message and refer to this one instead.”
This phrase is helpful when you want to redirect the recipient’s attention to the current message. “Please disregard my earlier message and refer to this one instead” lets the recipient know which email is accurate, making it ideal for situations where the new email contains essential updates or corrected details.
Example:
“Please disregard my earlier message and refer to this one instead. This email contains the correct time for the meeting.”
10. “Apologies for the confusion; please disregard my previous email.”
This phrase includes an apology, which is polite and helps to clear up any potential misunderstandings caused by the initial email. “Please disregard my previous email” is effective in professional settings where you need to correct an error and show respect for the recipient’s time.
Example:
“Apologies for the confusion; please disregard my previous email. I’ll send the updated file with the correct information right away.”