Greetings from Fluent & Fearless,

Some workplace phrases carry more emotional weight than they appear to. This week’s phrase, “per my last e-mail,” teaches another important lesson about tone, context, and how professionalism can sometimes sound colder than intended.

English Phrase: “Per my last e-mail.”

Meaning: A formal phrase used to refer back to information already mentioned in a previous e-mail.

Where the Phrase Comes From: The word per comes from Latin and means “according to” or “by means of.” In business writing, phrases like “per our conversation” or “per your request” became common in formal correspondence. Over time, “per my last e-mail” developed a sharper reputation because it can often appear when someone feels they are repeating information.

Example Sentences:

Quick Tip: The phrase essentially means “as I already said,” so use it carefully. The context must be clear in order to prevent misunderstandings of intentions.

Common mistake: Using “per my last e-mail” when the goal is to sound helpful or collaborative. The phrase is not always wrong or rude, but it can sound like a semi-polite way of saying, “I already told you this.” If in doubt, re-phrase.

Examples:

The original version sounds impatient. The revised version keeps the message useful and professional.

The better version avoids blame and focuses on helping the reader take action.

Memory Trick: Native speakers often read this phrase as passive-aggressive, especially when the relationship is tense or the message is short. If the goal is clarity, restate or rewrite. But if the goal is to express frustration or irritation, then “per my last e-mail” will probably suffice.

Spotlight: Using a Clear Subject Line to Reduce Repetition

What Is It? A clear e-mail subject line helps readers find information quickly and reduces the need to write phrases like “per my last e-mail.”

Examples:

The revised subject tells the reader what the message is about and what action is needed.

A specific subject line makes the reminder feel organized instead of irritated.

Quick Tip: When an e-mail may need to be referenced later, write the subject line as if someone will search for it next week.

Nota en español: En inglés profesional, los asuntos de correo claros reducen confusión y evitan recordatorios incómodos. En español también es útil escribir asuntos específicos, especialmente en equipos internacionales.

One single, simple phrase can be technically correct and still damage the conversation.

That is the problem with “per my last e-mail.” On paper, it looks formal and efficient. It refers to prior information, reminds the reader of context, and helps avoid rewriting the same details. In the right situation, it can be perfectly neutral.

But professional communication is not only about correctness. It is also about how the message is likely to be received.

In many workplaces, “per my last e-mail” has developed a reputation as one of those phrases that sounds polite on the surface but irritated underneath. It often appears after someone has missed a detail, ignored a request, or asked a question that was already answered. Because of that, readers may hear impatience even if the writer did not intend it.

This is why tone matters.

If you write, “Per my last e-mail, the deadline is Friday,” the message may be accurate. But depending on the relationship, it can sound like: “You should have read this already.” That may be satisfying in the moment, but it rarely improves cooperation.

Stronger communicators understand that the goal of a follow-up message is not to prove that they were right. The goal is to move the work forward. That means choosing language that preserves clarity without adding unnecessary tension.

Instead of writing “per my last e-mail,” you might say, “I’m including the details again below for convenience,” or “Just resurfacing the deadline so we stay aligned.” These alternatives still reference the earlier message, but they frame the reminder as helpful rather than corrective.

In cross-cultural environments, this distinction becomes even more important. Some professionals may interpret direct reminders as normal and efficient. Others may hear them as criticism. Bilingual professionals often have to manage not only grammar, but also tone, hierarchy, and relationship dynamics. A phrase that seems professional in one context may sound cold in another.

There are moments when “per my last e-mail” may still be appropriate. In legal, compliance, or documentation-heavy contexts, precise reference to prior communication can matter. If the relationship is formal and the tone is neutral, the phrase can work.

But in everyday workplace communication, warmth and clarity usually perform better than formal stiffness.

The real lesson is not to ban the phrase. The lesson is to ask what your message needs to accomplish. Are you documenting? Clarifying? Reminding? Repairing confusion? Encouraging action?

Once you know the purpose, you can choose the tone.

Ultimately, professional writing is not about sounding polished at all costs. It is about getting results while preserving relationships. And sometimes, the best way to do that is to replace a potentially sharp phrase with a clear one.

Here’s what this principle looks like in practice.

Case Study: A project coordinator repeatedly sent status updates with key deadlines, but one department kept asking for several timelines already included in earlier e-mails. Her first instinct was to reply, “Per my last e-mail…” Instead, she changed the tone: “I’m resharing the deadlines summary below so everyone has it in one place.” The response reduced friction, helped the team find the information faster, and kept the relationship collaborative rather than defensive.

Lesson(s) Learned: Tone can either solve the problem or add a second one. “Per my last e-mail” may be accurate, but it can sound irritated if the context is tense. Clear, helpful restatements often move work forward more effectively than reminders that emphasize who missed what.

Strategic Question: Where could your follow-up messages become clearer, warmer, or more action-oriented without losing firmness?

Idiom: “Just following up.”

Meaning: A polite phrase used to check on a previous message, request, or unresolved matter.

Example:

Cultural Note: This phrase usually sounds softer than “per my last e-mail.” It focuses on the current action rather than the reader’s failure to notice the earlier message.

Spanish Equivalent: “Solo quería dar seguimiento”.

Significado: Expresión usada para retomar un tema pendiente de manera educada.

Ejemplo:

Nota: Tiene un tono diplomático y colaborativo. Es útil cuando quieres recordar algo sin sonar impaciente.

Riddle of the Week:
I connect two sides
Without choosing one.
I turn distance into dialogue
And difference into trust.

Hint: This phrase appeared in an issue about establishing connections.

Answer: Building bridges.

“Per my last e-mail” is a useful reminder that professional tone lives between intention and interpretation. The phrase can be neutral in formal documentation, but in everyday workplace communication it often sounds colder than expected. Strong communicators know how to reference the past without sounding annoyed by it. When clarity and courtesy work together, follow-up becomes easier, and relationships stay intact.