Enclosed herewith is

You usually place this phrase at the very beginning of a letter. It can also appear right after you explain the purpose of your message. Think of it as a signpost for the reader. It tells them, "Stop reading for a second and look at the other paper." Grammatically, it functions as a setup for the subject that follows. For example, Enclosed herewith is the signed contract. You are basically saying that the contract and the letter are now best friends. They travel together. In a modern office, you might see this in a cover letter for a job. It also appears in legal notices or formal bank correspondence. It is like the opening credits of a movie. It sets the stage for the main event. Just don't use it to send a pizza coupon to your brother.

This phrase lives at the top of the formality mountain. It is very_formal. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is "Yo, check this out" and 10 is "Supreme Court Justice," this is a solid 9. You will almost never hear someone say this out loud in a conversation. It is a written-only creature. If you said this at a coffee shop, people might think you are a time traveler. In the world of business, it is more formal than Attached is or Please find enclosed. It suggests a level of professional distance and respect. It is perfect for a resignation letter or a formal complaint to a government agency. It is the language of contracts, deeds, and official proclamations. Using it correctly shows you understand the "old school" rules of professional English. It is like knowing which fork to use at a fancy dinner.

You will find this in a physical letter from a law firm regarding a settlement. A bank might use it when sending you a new credit card in the mail. If you are applying for a visa, the consulate might send a letter saying, Enclosed herewith is your approved documentation. In the digital world, it shows up in formal PDF cover letters sent via email. Even on LinkedIn, a very traditional recruiter might use it in a formal InMail. It is also common in real estate when a landlord sends a lease agreement. I once saw someone use it ironically in a group chat to send a meme. They wrote, Enclosed herewith is the evidence that you are wrong. It was hilarious because it was so overly formal for a silly argument. Usually, though, keep it for the serious stuff.

Use this when the stakes are high and the tone is serious. If you are writing to a CEO, a judge, or a university dean, this is your friend. It is great for physical mail because enclosed literally refers to the envelope. It is perfect for sending a check, a signed agreement, or a formal report. Use it when you want to sound traditional and established. It works well in industries like law, finance, and academia. If you are applying for a very competitive job at an old-fashioned firm, this phrase can make you look polished. It is also useful when you want to be extremely clear that something is included. It leaves no room for doubt. It says, "I am organized, I am professional, and I have provided everything you asked for."

Never use this in a casual email to a coworker you see every day. If you write Enclosed herewith is the link to the meeting on Slack, your team will think you are joking. It is too heavy for everyday digital communication. Do not use it when sending something casual like a photo of your cat or a link to a YouTube video. It is also becoming less common in modern startups. If the company culture is "jeans and t-shirts," this phrase will make you sound out of touch. Avoid using it if you are already using very casual language in the rest of the letter. Mixing Enclosed herewith is with Hey guys! is like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops. It just doesn't match. Keep the vibe consistent throughout your writing.

The biggest mistake is redundancy. People often write Enclosed herewith inside is... but enclosed already means it is inside. Another mistake is using it for things that aren't actually included. If you say it but forget the attachment, you look like a formal fool.

Remember that is must match the subject. If you are sending multiple things, use are. For example, Enclosed herewith are the three requested documents. Also, don't confuse it with Attached herewith. While people use them interchangeably, enclosed is better for physical mail, and attached is better for emails. Using enclosed for a link is technically a bit weird, but people do it.

You have several options depending on how formal you want to be. Please find enclosed is the most common cousin. It is slightly less stiff but still very professional. Attached is is the modern standard for email. If you want to be very direct, you can just say I have included. For physical mail, some people just say Enclosed is... and skip the herewith. Skipping herewith makes it feel a bit more modern while staying formal. In the UK, you might see Please find enclosed herewith. In the US, we often simplify it. I am enclosing is another way to say it that feels a bit more active. If you are texting a friend, just say Here is the stuff. Choosing the right variation is like picking the right shoes for an outfit.

Is herewith necessary? No, it's an extra layer of formality. You can just say Enclosed is. Does it work for emails? Yes, but Attached is is more common and less stuffy. Can I use it for multiple items? Yes, just change is to are. Does it sound too old? For some, yes. It's best for legal or very formal contexts. Is it the same as hereby? No, hereby means "by means of this act," while herewith means "along with this document." Should I use it in a DM? Only if you are being funny or ironic. It's way too formal for WhatsApp. Can I say Herewith enclosed? Yes, but the other way is more common. Is it British or American? It is used in both, but it feels slightly more "Old World" British.