“I am writing to inform you” is clear, but it can sound stiff when the message is routine. The best alternative depends on whether you are giving an update, making a formal notification, or simply drawing attention to something important. In most everyday work emails, a direct phrase such as “I wanted to let you know” or “I wanted to update you” sounds more natural.
Informing Phrases at a Glance
- I wanted to let you know
- I’m writing to let you know
- I wanted to update you
- I’m reaching out to let you know
- Please be advised
- Please note
- This is to inform you
- This is to notify you
- I’d like to make you aware
- I’d like to bring to your attention
- I wanted to share an update
- For your information
Choose the Phrase to Match the Message
- Routine update: “I wanted to let you know” or “I wanted to update you.”
- Formal notice: “Please be advised,” “This is to inform you,” or “This is to notify you.”
- Important detail: “Please note” or “I’d like to bring to your attention.”
- Friendly professional email: “I’m reaching out to let you know” or “I wanted to share an update.”
I wanted to let you know
Natural and versatile. This works for most workplace updates without sounding overly formal.
Example: “I wanted to let you know that the meeting has been moved to Thursday.”
I’m writing to let you know
A close substitute that keeps the original structure but sounds slightly warmer and less bureaucratic.
Example: “I’m writing to let you know that your application has been approved.”
I wanted to update you
Best when the recipient already knows about the subject and you are providing new information.
Example: “I wanted to update you on the revised project timeline.”
I’m reaching out to let you know
Friendly and professional, especially when you have not spoken to the recipient recently.
Example: “I’m reaching out to let you know that we have received the documents.”
Please be advised
Formal and impersonal. Use it for policies, notices, deadlines, or information the reader needs to act on.
Example: “Please be advised that the office will close at 4 p.m. on Friday.”
Please note
Concise and useful when you want to highlight a detail rather than introduce a whole message.
Example: “Please note that the submission deadline is 30 September.”
This is to inform you
Formal and direct. It suits official notifications but can feel too stiff for ordinary correspondence.
Example: “This is to inform you that your account details have been updated.”
This is to notify you
More formal still, and particularly suitable for procedural or administrative notices.
Example: “This is to notify you that your subscription will renew on 1 October.”
I’d like to make you aware
Useful when the information may affect the recipient and deserves particular attention.
Example: “I’d like to make you aware of a change to the reporting process.”
I’d like to bring to your attention
Best for something specific that the reader may have overlooked or needs to consider.
Example: “I’d like to bring to your attention an error in the attached figures.”
I wanted to share an update
Warm and collaborative. It works well for projects, teams, and ongoing work.
Example: “I wanted to share an update on where we are with recruitment.”
For your information
Brief and neutral. It is useful when no action is required, although it can sound abrupt on its own.
Example: “For your information, the final report has now been published.”
Do You Need to Say “I Am Writing” at All?
Often, no. In email, the reader already knows that you are writing. Starting with the information itself can be clearer: “The meeting has been moved to Thursday” is more direct than “I am writing to inform you that the meeting has been moved to Thursday.” Keep an introductory phrase when it helps set the tone or signal that the message is a formal notice.
A Good Default for “I Am Writing to Inform You” in Work Emails
For most professional messages, “I wanted to let you know” is the safest all-purpose alternative. It is polite, natural, and direct without sounding either casual or legalistic.