If you’re in a role that requires sending out many documents a day for signing, the phrase “please sign and return” may start to feel worn out and tedious to use.
Fear not! Below, we’ve compiled a list of synonyms for this phrase so that you can keep your work correspondence diverse.
Stay right there! In the next section, we’ll discuss our choice of formal and informal synonyms for the phrase “please sign and return.” We’ll even provide a couple of helpful examples.
Afterward, we’ll discuss the correctness of the original phrase.
If you’re looking for a way to ask someone to “please sign and return” in a professional setting, we would go with “kindly return a signed copy” as our top formal synonym.
You can use this phrase in a letter or email to ask someone to sign a document and send it back to you promptly.
It’s not a better phrase than “please sign and return,” but you can use this phrase to mix up your language and avoid repetition in your work correspondence.
Consider the letter sample below to see what we mean:
Dear Ms. Annabelle Looms,
Please see the relevant documentation in respect of your City Council application.
We will require a signature showing that you have read and consent to the terms therein.
Therefore, kindly return a signed copy of page 19 to our offices by the end of this week.
Regards,
Kane Hestfield, City Councilor
Another way of saying “please sign and return” in informal settings is to simply say “I need your signature on this.”
This phrase is a tad more abrupt than the original. However, it has the benefit of being straight to the point. This makes it ideal for a fast-paced office environment, where there is no expectation that you should use flowery, polite language in your communications.
In other words, you can use this phrase in an email to a colleague, but it should probably be avoided in a letter or email to a superior or client. A more polite register would be preferred in these cases.
Let’s see an email sample making use of this phrase:
Sorry for the rush, but I need your signature on this by noon.
Please get it back to me ASAP.
The phrase “please sign and return” is correct. Moreover, it’s a good example of how to politely ask for a document to be signed and returned.
This phrase can be used in both formal and informal settings. Therefore, our list of synonyms can simply help you change your phrasing to suit your context. Additionally, it can help you avoid repetition and keep your work correspondence diverse.
Nonetheless, the original phrase is perfectly effective to use in all kinds of situations. In fact, let’s look at a few examples making use of this phrase:
In conclusion, the phrase “please sign and return” is correct to use in English and a polite way to ask for a document to be signed and returned in both formal and informal settings.
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