In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to introduce official news or factual updates in writing.
- Combines the politeness of 'kindly' with the authority of 'be informed'.
- Commonly used in emails, notices, and professional correspondence across Commonwealth countries.
- Best avoided in casual conversations or modern, informal workplace cultures.
Meaning
This is a highly formal and traditional way to introduce a piece of news or a factual update in professional writing. It functions like a polite 'heads-up' that carries the weight of official authority, often used when the speaker wants to maintain a respectful but firm distance.
Key Examples
3 of 10Official bank email
Kindly be informed that your monthly statement is now available for download.
Please be aware that your monthly statement can now be downloaded.
HR announcement on Slack
Kindly be informed that the office will be closed this Friday for a public holiday.
Please note that the office is closed this Friday.
Texting a close friend
✗ Kindly be informed that I am running five minutes late → ✓ Sorry, I'm running 5 mins late!
I'm letting you know formally that I'm late → Sorry, I'm late!
Cultural Background
In the UK, India, and Singapore, this phrase is a staple of 'polite bureaucracy.' It is seen as essential for maintaining a professional 'face.' Modern US business culture often finds this phrase too 'wordy.' American writers might prefer 'Please note' or 'We're writing to let you know.' This phrase is extremely common in Nigerian professional English, where high-formality markers are deeply respected. Because this phrase was overused in early internet '419' scams, some tech-savvy users might feel a slight 'spam' vibe if it's used out of context.
The 'That' Rule
Always follow this phrase with a full sentence. If you can't put a period after the info, the grammar is wrong.
The Scam Heuristic
In the US, avoid using this in cold emails to people you don't know, as it can trigger spam filters or suspicion.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to introduce official news or factual updates in writing.
- Combines the politeness of 'kindly' with the authority of 'be informed'.
- Commonly used in emails, notices, and professional correspondence across Commonwealth countries.
- Best avoided in casual conversations or modern, informal workplace cultures.
What It Means
Imagine you are walking into a grand, old-fashioned office with high ceilings and dark wood desks. You aren't there to chat about the weather; you are there for serious business. That is the vibe of Kindly be informed that. It is a linguistic 'clearing of the throat' before making an official announcement. In plain English, it just means 'I am telling you this,' but it does so with a polite bow. The word kindly acts as a softener, making the instruction or information feel less like a command and more like a courteous notification. It’s the difference between someone shouting 'Hey, the office is closed!' and a formal letter stating, Kindly be informed that the office will remain closed. It carries a sense of permanence and authority, suggesting that the information following it is non-negotiable and important. Use it when you want to sound professional, slightly distant, and very serious. It’s the tuxedo of introductory phrases—maybe a bit much for a backyard BBQ, but perfect for the ballroom of business correspondence.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is like setting the stage for a performance. It always comes at the beginning of a sentence or a major clause. The structure is simple: Kindly be informed that + [subject] + [verb]. For example, Kindly be informed that your application has been received. You don’t need to add please before it, as kindly already does the job of being polite. In fact, saying 'Please kindly be informed' is a bit like wearing two hats at once—totally unnecessary and a little bit silly. The phrase is almost always used in writing, specifically in emails, formal letters, or public notices. You will rarely hear someone say this out loud unless they are reading a pre-written statement or trying to be intentionally ironic. It’s a great tool for delivering news that might be slightly inconvenient, like a change in schedule or a new policy, because the 'kindly' part tries to keep the recipient in a good mood. Just remember to follow it with a complete thought; you can't just leave people hanging after such a grand entrance!
Formality & Register
This phrase sits right at the top of the formality scale. If language were a hierarchy, this would be the CEO. It belongs to the 'Very Formal' or 'Professional' register. You’ll find it in legal documents, government notices, and corporate emails from HR or the Finance department. In modern, fast-paced tech companies (think Google or a trendy startup), this might actually sound a bit too 'stiff' or 'old-school.' Those places prefer 'Just a heads up' or 'Please note.' However, in many parts of the world, especially in countries with a history of British administrative English like India, Nigeria, or Singapore, this phrase is still the gold standard for being respectful. It signals that you are a professional who knows the rules of etiquette. It creates a 'power distance'—it shows you aren't the recipient's best friend, but you are a reliable professional providing necessary data. Using it with your friends or family would be hilarious; imagine texting your roommate, Kindly be informed that I have finished the milk. They’d probably ask if you’ve been possessed by a 19th-century lawyer.
Real-Life Examples
You’ll see this phrase in the wild mostly in your inbox. One common scenario is a bank notification: Kindly be informed that our systems will undergo maintenance this Sunday. Another is a landlord notifying tenants: Kindly be informed that the water supply will be interrupted for two hours. It also appears in academic settings, like an email from a professor: Kindly be informed that the deadline for the essay has been extended to Friday. Notice how in all these examples, the speaker is someone in a position of 'giving' information to someone else. It’s also very popular in airline announcements or travel itineraries. If you’ve ever received a formal invitation to a wedding or a gala, you might see, Kindly be informed that the dress code is Black Tie. It’s the polite way of saying 'Don't show up in your pajamas, please.' It’s all about setting expectations without being rude.
When To Use It
Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high or the context is strictly professional. It’s perfect for 'official' notifications. If you are writing to a client you haven't met, or to a government agency, this phrase is a safe bet. It shows you are serious and respectful. It’s also excellent when you need to deliver neutral or slightly negative news in a way that remains clinical and polite. For instance, if a job applicant wasn't successful, an HR manager might write, Kindly be informed that we have decided to move forward with other candidates. The formality provides a 'cushion' for the bad news. It’s also useful in public notices—signs in a park or a library often use this to tell people about rules or closures. Basically, if you are wearing a suit (literally or metaphorically), this phrase fits the outfit. Use it when you want to sound like you have everything under control and you are following proper protocol.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase like the plague in casual settings. If you use it in a WhatsApp group with your buddies, you will definitely get some weird looks (or at least some laughing emojis). It’s also becoming less popular in modern 'casual' business English. If your boss signs their emails with 'Cheers' and uses lots of emojis, Kindly be informed will make you sound like a robot from the 1980s. Don't use it for small, trivial things either. You wouldn't say, Kindly be informed that I like your shoes. That’s just creepy. Also, avoid it if you are trying to build a warm, personal relationship with a customer. It can feel cold and 'faceless.' In those cases, 'I wanted to let you know' is much more human. Finally, never use it when you are angry and trying to be sarcastic—'Kindly be informed that you are being annoying' is a very passive-aggressive way to start a fight. Stick to 'I'm upset' instead!
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is the 'Politeness Overload.' Many learners write Please kindly be informed that... This is redundant. Kindly is already the 'please' of the sentence. It’s like saying 'Please please let me know.' Another common mistake is forgetting the that. You can't say Kindly be informed your package is here. It needs the connector. Also, watch out for the passive voice. Some people try to make it active: Kindly inform me that... but that changes the meaning entirely! That would be asking the *other* person to tell *you* something. Remember, be informed means *you* are the one doing the telling. Some learners also use it to ask for things, like Kindly be informed to send me the file. This is incorrect. Use it only for sharing information, not for giving orders.
Common Variations
If you find Kindly be informed that a bit too heavy, you have plenty of other options. Please be advised that is its closest cousin—it's just as formal but slightly more common in American legal contexts. Please note that is a bit shorter and feels a little more modern; it’s great for highlighting a specific detail in an email. If you want to be more direct but still professional, try I am writing to inform you that. For something a bit softer, I would like to let you know that works beautifully. In more casual offices, you’ll often see Just a heads up that or even just FYI (For Your Information). If you’re feeling very British, you might even see Pray be informed, though that’s so old you’d need a quill and parchment to write it! Choosing the right variation depends on how much 'suit and tie' energy you want to project.
Real Conversations
Speaker A (HR Manager): Kindly be informed that the holiday policy has been updated on the employee portal.
Speaker B (Employee): Thank you for the update. I will check it immediately.
Speaker A (Landlord): Kindly be informed that the building's elevator will be out of service for maintenance on Tuesday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Speaker B (Tenant): Thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure to take the stairs.
Speaker A (Customer Service): Kindly be informed that your refund has been processed and should appear in your account within 5-7 business days.
Speaker B (Customer): Great, I appreciate the notification.
Notice how the person responding usually uses a more natural, less formal phrase like 'Thanks for letting me know.' You don't have to 'out-formal' the other person!
Quick FAQ
Is it okay to use this in a text message? Generally, no. It’s way too formal for the 'instant' vibe of texting. Is it grammatically correct? Yes, it's a perfectly valid passive imperative construction. Is it better than 'Please note'? Not necessarily—'Please note' is more versatile and modern. Does it sound bossy? A little bit, because it’s an instruction for the other person to 'be informed.' However, the word 'kindly' is there to take the edge off. Can I use it in an essay? It’s usually better to just state the facts directly in academic writing, as this phrase is more for 'notices' and 'correspondence.' Is it common in US English? It’s used, but you’ll find it much more frequently in British, Indian, or West African business English. It’s a great phrase to have in your 'professional toolkit' for when you really need to sound like you mean business.
Usage Notes
This phrase is most appropriate in written correspondence, especially when a high degree of professional distance and respect is required. It is very common in the UK and Commonwealth countries but can feel slightly 'stiff' or bureaucratic in American business culture. Avoid using 'please' and 'kindly' in the same sentence as they serve the same function.
The 'That' Rule
Always follow this phrase with a full sentence. If you can't put a period after the info, the grammar is wrong.
The Scam Heuristic
In the US, avoid using this in cold emails to people you don't know, as it can trigger spam filters or suspicion.
Regional Preference
If writing to a British or Indian company, this phrase is a 'safe bet' for showing respect.
Examples
10Kindly be informed that your monthly statement is now available for download.
Please be aware that your monthly statement can now be downloaded.
A classic use for automated or official notifications from a service provider.
Kindly be informed that the office will be closed this Friday for a public holiday.
Please note that the office is closed this Friday.
Even on modern platforms, HR often uses this to maintain a professional tone for policy-related news.
✗ Kindly be informed that I am running five minutes late → ✓ Sorry, I'm running 5 mins late!
I'm letting you know formally that I'm late → Sorry, I'm late!
Using this with friends sounds robotic and overly stiff.
Kindly be informed that your application has moved to the next stage of the interview process.
We are letting you know your application is proceeding.
Used here to provide exciting news while keeping a professional distance.
Kindly be informed that we are now offering international shipping to over 50 countries!
We want to let you know we now ship worldwide!
A way for a brand to make a 'big' announcement feel more official.
Kindly be informed that the annual fire safety inspection will take place tomorrow at 10 AM.
Please note there is a fire inspection tomorrow morning.
Perfect for landlord-tenant communication where a record of notice is important.
✗ Please kindly be informed that the meeting is canceled → ✓ Kindly be informed that the meeting is canceled.
Please please be informed... → Please be informed...
Avoid using 'please' and 'kindly' together; it's redundant and sounds awkward.
Kindly be informed that your flight schedule has been changed by the airline.
Please be aware that your flight time has changed.
Used to deliver potentially annoying news politely and professionally.
Kindly be informed that our Wi-Fi password is only available to those who have finished their vegetables.
Just so you know, you need to eat your veggies for the Wi-Fi code.
Using a very formal phrase for a silly rule creates a funny contrast.
Kindly be informed that a memorial service for the late Mayor will be held this Saturday.
We are announcing that the Mayor's memorial service is this Saturday.
The high formality matches the serious and respectful mood of the occasion.
Test Yourself
Complete the formal email sentence.
Kindly ______ informed that your subscription expires tomorrow.
The phrase uses the passive imperative 'be informed.'
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business letter?
Choose the best option:
This follows the correct grammar and register for formal business.
Complete the HR manager's email.
HR Manager: 'Dear Applicant, ________ that we have received your documents.'
This is the standard opening for an official acknowledgment.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
In which situation would you use 'Kindly be informed that'?
The phrase is reserved for formal, official communication.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Kindly be informed'
Use it here
- • Bank Emails
- • HR Notices
- • Legal Letters
Avoid it here
- • Dating Apps
- • Casual Slack
Practice Bank
4 exercisesKindly ______ informed that your subscription expires tomorrow.
The phrase uses the passive imperative 'be informed.'
Choose the best option:
This follows the correct grammar and register for formal business.
HR Manager: 'Dear Applicant, ________ that we have received your documents.'
This is the standard opening for an official acknowledgment.
In which situation would you use 'Kindly be informed that'?
The phrase is reserved for formal, official communication.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, it is a passive imperative construction. It is grammatically sound, though very formal.
No, you need the 'be' to make it passive. 'Kindly inform that' is missing a subject or an object.
Neither is 'better'; 'Please be advised' is more common in the US and legal contexts, while 'Kindly be informed' is more common in Commonwealth English.
Only if you are being funny or sarcastic. It is way too formal for texting.
Related Phrases
Please be advised that
synonymA formal way to introduce information, common in legal contexts.
Please note that
similarA neutral way to draw attention to a fact.
For your information
similarUsed to share info that doesn't necessarily require action.
Just a heads-up
contrastAn informal warning or update.