12 Passive-Aggressive Emails You’ve Definitely Received (or Sent)

We’ve all seen emails that seem polite but have a hidden edge. Maybe a coworker follows up in a way that makes you feel guilty, or you’ve sent one to sound firm without being rude. These emails look professional but often carry frustration or sarcasm. Here are 12 passive-aggressive emails you’ve likely received (or sent).

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“Per My Last Email…”

Alert
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This is the ultimate “I already told you this, and I don’t know why I have to say it again.” It’s generally sent when someone messed up or misunderstood a previous message, and you’re sending a reminder to get them back on track. Instead of accusing them, this stays in professional spirit but also informs the sender he or she should have paid more attention the first time.

“Just Circling Back on This”

Circle
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This may seem like a straightforward follow-up. But the real message is, “I shouldn’t have to remind you, but I am.” It is usually used when a response is due, and the sender wishes to force an update but doesn’t want to appear aggressive.

“As Discussed in Our Meeting…”

People Having a Meeting
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It is a phrase you would use to remind a colleague of something you’ve discussed. The hidden meaning? “We were already over this, so why do I have to explain it again?”

“Friendly Reminder…”

Friendly
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This phrase has nothing friendly about it. It’s like, “You were supposed to do this already, and I’m reminding you because I’m running out of patience.” It’s frequently used in case deadlines are near and the sender wants to push the recipient without sounding aggressive.

“Not Sure If You Saw My Last Email…”

Guilty
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This phrase sounds empathetic, but you already know what it means: “I know you read my last email and I don’t know why you haven’t replied”. This is the silent guilt trip, where you can see the sender wants to know an answer & is getting impatient.

“As You May Already Be Aware…”

point
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This phrase sounds instructive, but it is condescending. It tells you that the recipient should have this info and if not they’re way behind. The unspoken message? “You should know this already, but I’ll tell you again.”

“Just Making Sure We’re on the Same Page”

Left & Right Orientation
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In theory, this is an easy explanation. But you usually see it used if someone thinks (or knows) the recipient is not doing it properly. The real meaning behind this phrase is, “I don’t feel you’re doing it the right way, so I’m going to check before this gets worse.”

“Let Me Clarify…”

Clarifications
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This is a nice saying but it can sound patronizing. It’s as if the recipient misread something that should have been obvious. It’s used often when someone wants to right a wrong without looking frustrated. The hidden meaning? “You got it wrong, and now I need to fix it.”

“Going Forward, Please…”

Fix
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It is also popular at the office if you’re looking to fix an ongoing issue. It’s like: “You’ve been doing this wrong, and I need you to stop”. It’s not advice, it’s a new rule and the sender is determined to make sure it gets obeyed.

“Thanks in Advance for Handling This”

Thank you
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This is a phrase where the sender assumes the recipient will do the work – no questions asked. It doesn’t leave room for discussion or negotiation, and it’s one of the most forceful passive-aggressive email statements.

“Please Advise”

Advice
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This is a short sentence, but it’s a strong one. It usually shows up when you’re waiting for something to come in & you’re getting frustrated. It’s nice to ask for feedback, but often it seems impatient.

“I was Under the Impression That…”

Plan
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This phrase is used when things don’t go as planned. It’s a way of making somebody feel bad without really blaming them.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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