7 Alternatives to “I Hope This Email Finds You Well”

I hope this email finds you well is an expression commonly used at the start of formal emails to express interest in the recipient’s well-being.

This expression is polite and establishes a professional tone. However, it’s frequently used and might be perceived by some people as formulaic, insincere, or old-fashioned.

Below, we provide seven useful alternatives so you can vary how you start an email, creating polite and engaging introductions that will stand out.

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1. It’s a pleasure connecting with you again

This friendly opening line can be used in emails or letters to people with whom you have previously corresponded. It’s particularly helpful if the email or letter builds on a specific point of your previous exchange.

Examples: Recalling a previous conversation
Dear Dr. Whyte,

It’s a pleasure connecting with you again. The articles you suggested have been very informative and helped me refine my research question.

I was wondering if you would be available to meet next week to discuss this further.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Iain

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2. I hope you are doing well

This opening line can be used in both professional and casual contexts as a less formal alternative to “I hope this email finds you well.” To make the tone even more familiar or natural, you can use a contraction (e.g., “you’re” instead of “you are”) or the alternative phrase “hope all is well.”

Examples: Personal wishes
Dear Paul,

I hope you are doing well. Can you please confirm your attendance at the upcoming board meeting?

Kind regards,

Jonah

3. I hope you are having a productive week

This introductory line is used to wish the recipient well in a professional manner. It’s best used in emails to coworkers or to people you are collaborating with. You can also use the less specific alternative “I hope you’re having a good week.”

Examples: Wishing them well in a professional manner
Hi Karen,

I hope you are having a productive week. Can you keep me updated on the latest sales forecast?

Thanks!

Matt

4. I know you’re busy, so I’ll be brief

This shows that you are respectful of the recipient’s time. When using this line, it’s important to keep the rest of the email short and to the point. If you want the conversation to continue, you can ask questions or suggest a meeting or call.

Examples: Being respectful of their time
Dear Mrs. DeMarco

I know you’re busy, so I’ll be brief. I am writing a book on current marketing strategies and I was hoping you would be available for an interview.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Many thanks,

Tori

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5. We met at …

This introduction helps to remind the recipient who you are (and how/where you previously met them). Additionally, mentioning or briefly summarizing the previous topic of conversation can act as a jumping off point for further discussion. It can be useful if you’re contacting someone you don’t know well.

Examples: Mentioning a previous meeting
Dear Prof. Gormon,

We met at last month’s faculty meeting and talked briefly about upcoming funding opportunities.

As the graduate student representative, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions on behalf of the other students.

Warm regards,

Prita

6. Congratulations …

Congratulating the recipient of the email on a recent achievement can be flattering and allow you to show that you keep up to date with industry news or trends. However, to avoid embarrassment, it’s important to adequately research the recipient’s recent achievements before congratulating them.

Examples: Congratulating the recipient
Dear Mr. Gibson,

Congratulations on the recent publication of your book.

I am organizing a conference and am hoping you would be willing to join as a speaker. Please let me know if you are interested!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Eve Shaw

7. [A mutual connection] said I should reach out to you

Beginning an email by mentioning a mutual connection you and the recipient share is a good way to introduce yourself. If the mutual connection is a close friend of the recipient, or a respected associate or colleague, this kind of opening can act as an endorsement of your professional skills or personal character.

It’s important not to be presumptuous: ensure that you have the permission of the shared mutual connection before including their name in the email, especially if you are making a request.

Examples: Mutual connections
Dear Alice,

Your colleague, John, said I should reach out to you to inquire about the job vacancy. I’m interested in the position and would love to discuss this further.

Can you let me know whether the position is still available?

Many thanks,

Darren Smith

Other variants on the phrase

You can adapt the expression I hope this email finds you well and use it for numerous forms of communication other than email.

Examples: Variants on I hope this email finds you well
I hope this finds you well.

I hope this letter finds you well.

I hope this message finds you well.

Other interesting language articles

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a synonym for “I hope this email finds you well”?

Some synonyms and phrases related to I hope this email finds you well include:

What is a synonym for “I hope you’re doing well”?

Some synonyms and near synonyms for I hope you’re doing well include:

How do you start a professional email greeting?

You should start a professional email with a greeting and the name and title of the recipient (e.g., “Dear Mr. Walken”). Then, you should include an introductory line like I hope this email finds you well, followed by the body of the email.

For less formal emails, you can use a more casual introductory line like I hope you’re doing well.

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Ryan, E. (2023, September 11). 7 Alternatives to “I Hope This Email Finds You Well”. Scribbr. Retrieved January 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/effective-communication/hope-email-finds-you-well/

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Eoghan Ryan

Eoghan has a lot of experience with theses and dissertations at bachelor's, MA, and PhD level. He has taught university English courses, helping students to improve their research and writing.