For Subscribers

You Might Be Offending Your Co-Workers With These Passive-Aggressive Email Phrases — Here's What to Say Instead There could be a more diplomatic way to get your message across.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Most people say the amount of work emails that land in their inbox each day is stressful.
  • Passive-aggressive phrases might contribute to the problem — and cause tension in the workplace.

Most people say the number of work emails they receive each day is stressful, according to a recent survey from language learning platform Babbel, per CNBC, and 18% of office workers admit to having over 1,000 unread emails in their inbox.

As it turns out, passive-aggressive language — inadvertent or not — might exacerbate the issue.

Related: The Biggest Stressors at Work Can Make Your Productivity Plummet. How Many Are Holding You Back?

Nearly half (47.69%) of U.S. workers have received passive-aggressive emails in 2024, according to a study from email tracker Mailsuite, which surveyed 2,000 Americans.

What's more, the majority (86.09%) of those passive-aggressive emails were sent from within the recipient's company, per the survey.

Maybe you've experienced virtual slights firsthand — or even helped perpetuate them.

Phrases like "Just a friendly reminder" and "Thank you in advance" might feel loaded, depending on the recipient's perspective, but they can be softened with some strategic fine-tuning.

Related: 4 Ways to Stop Passive Aggression From Creating a Toxic Workplace

On a mission to address the issue, Mailsuite created a Google Chrome extension that identifies and replaces passive-aggressive language with constructive alternatives.

Check out Mailsuite's infographic below for 10 passive-aggressive phrases best avoided in work emails — and the alternatives to replace them with:

Image Credit: Courtesy of Mailsuite

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here's What Companies and Services Are Open and Closed on Juneteenth 2025

Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

The U.S. Added Over 1,000 New Millionaires a Day in 2024. Here's How That Compares to the Rest of the World.

UBS revealed its latest report on global wealth on Wednesday, which looks back on wealth trends.

Leadership

This Founder Noticed a Stark Change at a Local Pride Parade — and Says It Creates a 'Real Opportunity' for Small Businesses

Tanner Graham, co-founder and CEO of General Idea, reveals how business leaders can step up this month and beyond.

Business News

AI Is Going to 'Replace Everybody' in Several Fields, According to the 'Godfather of AI.' Here's Who He Says Should Be 'Terrified.'

Geoffrey Hinton, called the "Godfather of AI" due to his pioneering work on AI, says some fields face a heavier risk of replacement due to automation.

Leadership

How to Make Smarter Decisions Under Pressure, From an ER Doctor Who's Done It for 20 Years

We asked an emergency physician who studies decision-making under pressure about leadership. His insights reveal why the best leaders think like scientists of themselves.