How to use "please find attached correspondence"

What Does "please find attached correspondence" Mean?

• The phrase "please find attached correspondence" is a polite and formal way of indicating that a document or file is included with a message, typically an email. It essentially means "I am sending you the following document(s) as an attachment."
• The meaning is compositional. Each word contributes to the overall meaning, though the specific combination creates a conventional expression.
• The register is formal, suitable for business, academic, or professional communication.

How to Use It

• The grammatical pattern is verb + verb (infinitive) + adjective + noun + noun. "Please find" acts as a polite imperative, "attached" is an adjective describing the "correspondence," which is a noun.
• Typical objects following "attached" are nouns referring to documents, files, or information, such as "my CV," "the report," "the invoice," or "the file."
• The components cannot be easily separated without sounding unnatural. While variations exist (e.g., "please find attached"), adding words between "find" and "attached" would be unusual.
• What sounds unnatural: Using informal verbs like "see" instead of "find," using incorrect prepositions (e.g., "attached with"), or using the phrase in very informal contexts.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from please find attached correspondence on Ludwig.guru.

"Please find attached that thing you need." — The New Yorker

""Please find attached my invoice for my social media coaching""." — The Guardian - Money

"Dear Ayman al-Zawahiri: Please find attached my homemade terror video, entitled "Death to America"." — The New Yorker

"Please find attached the manuscript revised according to your remarks." — Biology Direct

"For example: "Please find attached a copy of my original receipt, along with a copy of the hair dryer's guarantee and information regarding the serial number""." — WikiHow

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/please+find+attached+correspondence

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
Please see the attached	Slightly less formal, but still polite.
I have attached	More direct, less formal. Suitable for internal communication.
Attached you will find	More archaic and somewhat formal.
Kindly find attached	Very formal, emphasizing politeness.
The document is attached	A simple statement, less proactive than "please find".
I'm attaching	Informal, best for casual emails.
Please find enclosed	Used for physical documents included in a package.

Common Mistakes

• Using an overly casual verb like "check out" instead of "find" or omitting "please" in a formal context.
• Saying "attached with" instead of simply "attached."
• Learners often use a more informal or less direct phrasing like 'I have attached' which is less suitable for formal contexts.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
Please find attached correspondence	Indicates that a document or file is included with a message.	Verb + verb (infinitive) + adjective + noun + noun	Formal

FAQs

Can the parts of "please find attached correspondence" be separated, or must they stay together?

The phrase is quite fixed. While you can modify what is attached (e.g., "Please find attached the report"), inserting words between "find" and "attached" sounds unnatural. The phrase "please find attached" functions as a unit to politely introduce the attachment.

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How does "please find attached correspondence" differ from "I have attached"?

"Please find attached correspondence" is more formal and polite than "I have attached." The former is often preferred in professional settings when communicating with someone you don't know well or when a higher level of formality is desired. "I have attached" is more direct and suitable for internal communication or less formal contexts.

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I used "I have attached" in an email to a potential employer. Is this a mistake, and how can I correct it in the future?

While not a critical error, using "I have attached" in a job application is less ideal due to its informality. In formal communication, using "Please find attached [document name]" is better. For future communications, opt for the more formal phrasing to convey professionalism and respect.