Kindly inform us

It isn't necessarily 'better,' but it is more stylistically formal. 'Kindly' is often seen as a slightly more sophisticated or traditional way to request something than a simple 'please.' In many corporate cultures, it is the preferred way to maintain a professional distance.

It is quite rare to say this out loud unless you are in an extremely formal presentation or a legal deposition. In a standard office meeting, saying 'Kindly inform us' might sound a bit like you are reading from a script. It is much more natural to say 'Please let us know' or 'Could you give us an update' during speech.

Yes, absolutely, especially if the relationship is formal or if you are communicating via an official channel like an email. However, if you and your boss are on a first-name basis and chat casually on Slack, it might be better to use 'Let me know' to avoid sounding too distant or stiff.

Because it is so formal, it can be used to 'mask' frustration. When someone says 'Kindly inform us' after you've missed a deadline, the contrast between the polite word 'kindly' and the fact that you are being scolded creates a sarcastic tone. It's the corporate version of 'I'm waiting...'

'Inform' is used for providing facts or information (e.g., 'inform us of the time'). 'Advise' is often used in business to mean 'tell us your decision' or 'give us guidance' (e.g., 'Please advise on how to proceed'). 'Advise' is even more formal than 'inform' and is very common in legal and banking sectors.

Yes, it is an excellent phrase for a complaint. It shows that you are a serious, professional customer who expects a serious, professional answer. It helps keep the conversation focused on the facts rather than just emotions, which often leads to a faster resolution from the company.

Yes, it is perfectly grammatical. 'Kindly' is an adverb modifying the verb 'inform.' The phrase follows the standard English imperative structure where 'us' is the direct object. Just remember to avoid adding 'to' between 'inform' and 'us,' as that is a common grammatical error.

Yes, they are very similar. 'Notify' often implies a more official or automated process (like a phone notification). 'Inform' feels a bit more personal, as if one human is giving information to another. You can use 'Kindly notify us' in the exact same situations, but it might sound slightly more 'robotic' or clinical.

It is used in American business, but it is much less common than in British or Indian English. Americans often find 'kindly' to be a bit old-fashioned or overly formal. They are more likely to use 'Please let us know' or 'Please keep us updated' in most professional settings.

You should match their formality. A good reply would be 'Thank you for your message. I am writing to inform you that...' or 'As requested, please find the information below.' Avoid using slang or being too casual in your response, as the sender has established a formal tone for the conversation.

It is usually better to place it after you have provided some context. If you start an email with 'Kindly inform us of your prices,' it can feel a bit abrupt. It is more polite to say 'I am writing to inquire about your services. Could you kindly inform us of your current price list?'

Yes, you can absolutely use 'me' instead of 'us' if you are the only person who needs the information. 'Kindly inform us' is common in business because you are often representing a company or a team. If you are acting as an individual, 'Kindly inform me' is the correct and natural choice.

The most common preposition used after 'inform us' is 'of' (e.g., 'inform us of the status'). You can also use 'about' (e.g., 'inform us about the changes'), but 'of' is generally considered more formal and traditional in business writing. You can also follow it with 'if,' 'when,' or 'how'.

It might be a bit too demanding for a cover letter. In a cover letter, you are the one trying to impress the employer. Instead of saying 'Kindly inform us of your decision,' it is better to say 'I look forward to hearing from you' or 'Please let me know if you require any further information.'

Usually, yes. However, tone depends on context. In a very heated argument, using overly formal words like 'kindly' can come across as sarcastic or 'condescending' (looking down on someone). But in 99% of professional business emails, it is seen as a genuine mark of politeness and good manners.

It comes from the Old English word 'cyndelice,' which meant 'naturally' or 'by nature.' Over hundreds of years, the meaning shifted from 'doing something naturally' to 'doing something with a good nature' or 'politely.' By the 1800s, it became the standard way to soften a command in formal writing.

No, academic papers are usually for presenting research, not for making requests. However, you can certainly use it in an email to a professor, a department head, or a journal editor. In those contexts, it perfectly matches the formal and respectful register required for academic correspondence.

In modern tech giants like Google or Meta, the culture is often more 'casual-professional,' so they might prefer 'Let us know.' However, if you are dealing with the legal, HR, or finance departments of those same companies, 'Kindly inform us' will still be very common and completely appropriate.

Yes, 'kindly' can be an adjective meaning 'kind' (e.g., 'a kindly old man'). But in the phrase 'Kindly inform us,' it is an adverb. This is a bit unusual in English because most adverbs end in -ly, but so does the adjective form of 'kind.' It's a versatile little word!

It is definitely 'Kindly inform us.' Never put 'to' before the verb in this structure. This is a common mistake for speakers of languages where the infinitive (to-form) is used in requests. In English, we use the base form of the verb for these types of polite commands.