As discussed

You will usually see this phrase at the very beginning of an email or a Slack message. It often stands alone as a short introductory clause: As discussed, here are the files. You don't need a long, flowery introduction when you use this. It gets straight to the point, which is why busy professionals love it so much. You can also use it in the middle of a sentence to justify a specific action: "I have updated the budget as discussed during our meeting." It acts as a shield, protecting you from being accused of making random changes. It says, "I'm not just doing this for fun; we both agreed to this!" Just remember to put a comma after it if it's at the start of your sentence.

This is a solid B2-level phrase because it sits firmly in the formal and professional camp. You would use this with a manager, a client, or a colleague in a different department. It is the language of the office, the Zoom call, and the LinkedIn message. Would you use it with your best friend? Probably not, unless you are being ironic. If you text your friend, "As discussed, I am at the bar," they might think you've been spending too much time at the office. It can sound a bit cold or robotic if used in a purely social setting. However, in the world of work, it is the perfect balance of polite and direct. It’s like wearing a clean shirt to a meeting—it shows you mean business.

Imagine you are a freelancer working for a new client. You have a quick call about a logo design. Ten minutes later, you send an email: "As discussed, I will have the first draft to you by Friday." This looks incredibly professional. Or, think about a group project at university. You all agree on who does what in the library. You follow up in the group chat: "As discussed, I’m taking the introduction and Sarah is doing the conclusion." It keeps everyone on the same page. Even in a modern context like an Uber or DoorDash app, you might message the driver: "As discussed in the notes, please leave the food at the side door." It’s all about maintaining that thread of logic from one moment to the next.

The best time to use this phrase is immediately after a conversation. The goal is to catch the memory while it is still fresh. Use it when you are sending a document that was requested. Use it when you are confirming a deadline that was set verbally. Use it when you want to provide a 'paper trail' for your work. If you are worried about a misunderstanding later on, as discussed is your insurance policy. It basically says, "This is on the record now." It is also great for moving a project forward when things have stalled. It reminds people that a decision was made and it's time for the next step.

Do not use this phrase if no actual discussion took place. That is called gaslighting, and it is a quick way to lose friends at work! If you say, "As discussed, I am taking next week off," but you never actually asked, your boss will be very confused. Also, avoid using it for brand new information. If you have a secret you want to share, don't start with as discussed. It will make the person feel like they forgot something important, which can be stressful. Finally, don't overdo it. If every single sentence starts with as discussed, you start to sound like a programmed chatbot. Use it once at the start of your message and then move on to the actual content.

One of the most frequent errors is forgetting the 'ed' at the end. It must be discussed (past tense) because the conversation happened in the past.

• ✗ As discuss, I will send the link.
• ✓ As discussed, I will send the link.

Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. You don't need 'to' or 'with'.

• ✗ As discussed to you...
• ✓ As discussed...

Some people also confuse it with as we discussed. Both are correct, but as discussed is slightly more formal and concise. As we discussed feels a bit more personal because it mentions 'we'. If you want to sound like a sleek corporate machine, stick with the shorter version. If you want to feel a bit more like a human team, use 'we'.

If you want to spice up your emails, you have a few options. Per our conversation is a classic, but it can sound a bit old-fashioned or legalistic. It’s the kind of phrase a lawyer uses before they sue someone. Following up on our chat is a much friendlier, more casual alternative. It’s great for Slack or WhatsApp. In line with our discussion is very formal and slightly more sophisticated. It’s good for official reports or contracts. As we agreed is a powerful version that emphasizes the commitment made. It’s a bit more forceful, so use it when you want to make sure the other person sticks to their word. Each one has a slightly different 'vibe', so choose the one that fits your situation.

Is it too aggressive? No, not at all! In a business context, it's just efficient. It only feels aggressive if you use it to point out that someone is wrong or if you use a very cold tone. Is there a comma? Yes, usually. If it starts the sentence, follow it with a comma to let the reader breathe. Can I use it in a text message? Yes, if it's a work-related text. For friends, it might be a bit much. What if we only talked for two seconds? Even a short chat counts as a discussion! If you agreed on something, you can use the phrase. It’s about the agreement, not the length of the talk.