How to Politely Correct Someone via Email (With Examples)

Have you spotted a mistake in someone’s work?

You’re probably worried that you might sound impolite if you go ahead and correct them.

Worry not!

Here are some polite phrases that you can use to correct someone via email:

• Thanks for your input, but I would change
• I appreciate your view. However, I believe that
• I think you’ve made a slight mistake here
• Just to let you know, there’s an error
• I noticed a small error in your previous email
• I hope you don’t mind me correcting you
• If you don’t mind my saying
• I think there’s a slight misunderstanding with what I asked here
• Please review the information you sent me
• I think you should proofread this

Keep reading to learn how to ask someone to correct something in an email. Once you know the best phrases, it’ll get a lot easier for you!

1. Thanks for Your Input, but I Would Change

There are plenty of reasons to correct someone in an email. For instance, they might provide incorrect information. It’s good to correct this as soon as you spot it.

A phrase like “thanks for your input, but I would change” works well here.

First of all, “thanks for your input” shows you appreciate an email. It implies that you’re happy with the work someone did, even if you noticed a few errors.

“But I would change” then allows you to directly criticize someone’s work. It’s a great way to keep things honest and let someone know if they’ve got to correct anything.

You should also review the following example:

Dear Curtis,

Thanks for your input, but I would change a few things. I’ve attached your original file with a few corrections.

Yours,
Lewis Firth

2. I Appreciate Your View. However, I Believe That

Not everyone is going to agree with you. That’s why having your own opinions is important. Sure, opinions lead to arguments, but that’s what they’re there for.

However, sometimes, someone’s views can be completely wrong. And you might need to correct those views if it’s detrimental to their career or work ethic.

We recommend using “I appreciate your view. However, I believe that” here.

It’s an empathetic and understanding phrase. It starts with “I appreciate your view,” which shows you’re trying to avoid offending a recipient.

You can then start a new sentence with “however, I believe that.” This allows you to express your criticism. You can provide what you believe to be a correct view, which could help.

Here’s a helpful email example to show you how to use it:

Dear Hugh,

I appreciate your view. However, I believe that it’s incorrect. I think we need to reevaluate what we’re doing here.

Yours,
Duncan Stimpson

3. I Think You’ve Made a Slight Mistake Here

Errors can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. When you notice them, no matter how small, it’s good to point them out.

Try holding someone accountable with “I think you’ve made a slight mistake here.” It works well when pointing out a typo.

While a typo is only a small error, it’s always worth letting someone know they made one. That way, they can be more diligent in the future.

It also shows you have a keen attention to detail. Who knows when they might come in handy in the workplace?

We also recommend reviewing this example:

Dear Stuart,

While I appreciate your help, I think you’ve made a slight mistake here. You should review the information you sent me again.

All the best,
Ruth Young

4. Just to Let You Know, There’s an Error

For a more friendly and honest correction, try “just to let you know, there’s an error.” It allows you to correct someone without offending them.

Starting an email with “just to let you know” shows you don’t want to cause issues. It’s friendly and direct, showing that you’d like to raise a problem with someone.

From there, you can write “there’s an error.” This gets to the point quickly, so you don’t waste time trying to apologize for making any corrections.

This sample email should also help you:

Dear Thomas,

Just to let you know, there’s an error in your last email. It’s only a small typo, but it’s best to avoid doing it again!

Kind regards,
Kim Branch

5. I Noticed a Small Error in Your Previous Email

You can correct your boss in an email by saying “I noticed a small error in your previous email.”

We all make mistakes. It doesn’t matter what position we have in a company. Don’t be afraid to correct your boss if they make a mistake in a file (even if it’s minor).

The phrase itself is respectful and direct. It lets the recipient know immediately that you’ve noticed a mistake. The sooner you highlight it, the sooner they’ll be able to correct it!

You should also review the following example:

Dear Mr. Bridges,

I noticed a small error in your previous email. I have corrected the file, but please be mindful of this in the future.

Thank you,
Ben Grennan

6. I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Correcting You

If you want to know how to professionally correct someone about your name, try “I hope you don’t mind me correcting you.”

It’s both professional and respectful, making it an excellent polite choice.

We recommend using it when someone makes an error. It shows you need to correct them, but you don’t want to offend them.

“I hope you don’t mind” is important here. You must include it if you want to try and minimize how offensive it could be to correct someone for a mistake.

Check out this email example if you still need help:

Dear Mr. Clark,

I hope you don’t mind me correcting you, but you got my name wrong in the previous email.

Best regards,
Jonathan Kettle

7. If You Don’t Mind My Saying

To avoid offending someone after correcting them, try “if you don’t mind my saying.” It’s a great way to highlight a quick correction.

There are plenty of reasons why a phrase like this comes in handy. Generally, we recommend it when you’re worried your comment might upset the other party.

It takes the sting out of your correction.

So, let’s say the email sender accidentally misgendered or misnamed you. It’s okay. It can happen to anyone!

Simply correcting them by saying “if you don’t mind my saying” is a great way to keep the peace. It also ensures that the mistake won’t happen again.

Here’s a great email sample to show you how it works:

Dear Jonas,

If you don’t mind my saying, you misgendered me in your previous correspondence. I would appreciate it if you could be more mindful next time.

Thank you so much,
Greta Paulson

8. I Think There’s a Slight Misunderstanding With What I Asked Here

“I think there’s a slight misunderstanding with what I asked here” is a direct way to correct someone. It shows someone has made a minor error, and they need to fix it.

You can use it when emailing a teacher. It shows you asked them for help, but they didn’t quite understand what you were asking for.

We recommend using it to keep the recipient accountable. It shows you’re willing to overlook the mistake, but you’d appreciate it if they paid more attention next time.

Perhaps this email sample will also help you:

Dear Professor,

I think there’s a slight misunderstanding with what I asked here. I appreciate your help, but it’s not quite what I was looking for.

Yours,
Kyleigh Austen

9. Please Review the Information You Sent Me

Try “please review the information you sent me” when someone makes a small error or typo. It’s a quick and efficient way to correct an issue you spot.

We recommend using it when emailing an employee. It shows you’ve already reviewed their work and spotted a few things that didn’t quite make sense.

Usually, this allows an employee to go through their work and correct the relevant information. It’s a great way to hold them accountable and show that they need to pay a bit more attention.

If you’re still unsure, you can review this email example:

Dear Abraham,

Please review the information you sent me. I’m afraid I noticed an error in some of your work.

All the best,
Jon Peat

10. I Think You Should Proofread This

It’s never rude to ask someone to proofread their writing. If anything, it simply ensures they have everything correct before finalizing a project or task.

Therefore, “I think you should proofread this” is a reasonable and respectful way to ask someone to fix a correction.

It doesn’t directly say you’ve spotted a mistake. However, it implies that the recipient will benefit from reviewing their work, as it’s likely there’s a mistake in there.

Here’s a great example to help you understand it:

Dear Jacques,

I think you should proofread this. It’s not the end of the world, but you could definitely make a few corrections.

Best wishes,
Sean Woodley