Is It Okay to Write “Thank You in Advance”?

Browse through your inbox, and you will probably find someone making a request and ending with "thank you in advance."

Did you know that many people find the phrase "thank you in advance" rude? 

The reason is that the sender assumes the receiver will do whatever they've requested, basically taking away their right to say no.

It can also appear that the sender doesn't want to bother following up with a "thank you" after receiving help, so they're just going to say it now.

 

The biggest issue with the phrase

The most common complaint about the phrase is that it sounds arrogant. The sender implies that something will be done, which is why they're thanking the receiver now. It sounds more like a demand rather than a request.

This is not the impression you want to give when making a request that someone can decline. If it's only a request, you should never phrase it as a demand.

 

Could they just be overthinking it?

Some may perceive this as an example of overthinking a few words. You may be one of them.

However, in business, you cannot focus solely on how things appear to you. Consider how they appear to the person to whom you are writing. Even if you mean "thank you in advance" but mean "thank you for taking the time to look at this," it may not be clear.

Even if you don't mind annoying the individual to whom you're writing, the sentence will still work against you. This is because it diminishes your chances of attaining the desired result.

So, what other phrases can you use while asking for something?

 

Other phrases that are okay to use

If you're simply making a request (that may or may not be granted), one of the best things you can say is "thank you very much for your time" or "thank you for taking the time to read this."

This demonstrates that you recognise that someone is paying a cost simply by reading your email, and for busy people, even a tiny amount of time can be costly. Also, by thanking others for their time, you are not being presumptuous: you are fully aware that you are asking for something (and not being demanding).

If you prefer, you can add more. If you'd appreciate any assistance or insight they could offer, say this: "I'll be very grateful for any assistance you can provide."

If you wish to thank someone for their help, it's generally best to do it afterwards. When something is completed, writing a quick 'Thank you' message may require a little more effort. But by doing so, you will come across as more sincere.

 

What should you say if it's not a request?

If you have the authority to tell a person what they need to do, for instance, you're a busy manager, then hinting to them to do something is what you should do. 

Even if it's a demand, in most situations, it's always better to say "thanks" as it is less likely to irritate people. It also allows you to say "thank you" once they have completed the task, in addition to providing detailed feedback.

In contrast, "thank you in advance" sounds final. It implies that this could be the last a person will hear from you. It also hints that nothing much matters besides meeting your demands. 

 

As always, the key is to think of your reader. If you have used "thank you in advance" in your email for years, and your reader has no problem with it, then it's probably okay for you to carry on as usual. 

However, if you are writing to someone you don't know, especially when making a request, try to use something that appears less of a demand, and do your part to make the workplace a little bit better for everyone.

 

Source: Emphasis