In 15 Seconds
- Highly formal way to introduce an attachment.
- Used in legal, official, traditional business.
- Means 'with this document' or 'enclosed'.
- Avoid in casual contexts; sounds outdated.
Meaning
This phrase is a super formal way of saying, "Look, here's the document I've just mentioned." It carries a heavy, serious tone, indicating that what follows is important and officially connected to the communication. It's like a linguistic red carpet for a file, signaling gravitas and precision in a very old-school business manner.
Key Examples
3 of 10Formal legal correspondence
Dear Counsel, please find herewith the notarized affidavits as per our agreement.
Dear Counsel, here are the notarized affidavits as per our agreement.
Job application cover letter (traditional company)
Please find herewith my curriculum vitae for your review, demonstrating my qualifications.
Here is my resume for your review, showing my qualifications.
Official government communication
The department is pleased to provide herewith the updated policy guidelines.
The department is pleased to provide the updated policy guidelines with this document.
Cultural Background
The phrase `Please find herewith` has deep roots in formal legal and administrative language, stemming from a time when written correspondence was the primary mode of official communication. Its continued use reflects a cultural value placed on precision, authority, and established protocol in certain professional spheres. It embodies a tradition of explicit and unambiguous declaration in critical exchanges, ensuring that the act of including a document is formally acknowledged.
Always Double-Check
If you use `Please find herewith`, make absolutely sure the document is attached! Forgetting it after such a definitive statement can be quite embarrassing and undermines your professional image.
The 'Stuffy' Trap
Using `Please find herewith` in casual emails or texts makes you sound extremely stiff and possibly a bit pretentious. Avoid it unless the situation explicitly calls for extreme formality. You don't want to accidentally sound like a robot from the 19th century.
In 15 Seconds
- Highly formal way to introduce an attachment.
- Used in legal, official, traditional business.
- Means 'with this document' or 'enclosed'.
- Avoid in casual contexts; sounds outdated.
What It Means
Ever received an email that felt like it was written with a quill and ink? Chances are, you've encountered Please find herewith. This phrase is a relic from a bygone era, but it still makes an appearance when formality is key. At its core, it simply means with this letter or document. You're literally telling the recipient, "The thing I'm talking about? It's right here, attached to this message." It's the linguistic equivalent of a highly organized personal assistant presenting a neatly bound report. No casual shrugs here, only precise delivery.
How To Use It
Using Please find herewith is straightforward, but its proper application is narrow. You use it to formally introduce an accompanying document, file, or item. For instance, in a legal brief, you might write: Please find herewith the discovery documents. Or, in a cover letter for a very traditional company: Please find herewith my curriculum vitae for your kind consideration. The key is that the item you're referring to is physically or digitally attached to the communication. It's a statement of fact, not an invitation for a chat. Think of it as a verbal pointer, drawing immediate attention to the attached material. You wouldn't use it to point out a spilled coffee, for example, unless you were very, very dramatic.
Formality & Register
Let's not mince words: Please find herewith is very formal. It's the kind of phrase that wears a three-piece suit and insists on being addressed as 'sir' or 'madam.' You'll primarily find it in legal documents, official government correspondence, academic submissions, and extremely traditional business communications. It projects an air of seriousness, meticulousness, and adherence to established protocols. Using it in a casual setting is like showing up to a beach barbecue in a tuxedo. It's just not the right vibe. While it conveys professionalism, it can also sound stiff or even pompous in less formal contexts. It's excellent for conveying respect and importance, but terrible for building rapport over a TikTok comment.
Real-Life Examples
- In a formal offer letter:
Please find herewith the official employment contract. - From an attorney to a client:
Attached, please find herewith the amended complaint. - In a diplomatic note:
The delegation is pleased to submit herewith the signed treaty. - From a university admissions office:
Please find herewith your acceptance letter and enrollment packet. - In a traditional business proposal:
We present herewith our comprehensive project plan.
When To Use It
Reserve Please find herewith for situations demanding the highest level of formality. Think of scenarios where precision, official record-keeping, and traditional etiquette are paramount. This includes: submitting legal documents, sending official government applications, corresponding with high-level executives in very conservative industries, or writing a serious academic paper. When you want to leave no doubt about the inclusion of a crucial document, and you wish to project an image of extreme professionalism and meticulousness, this phrase is your go-to. It's for when you mean business, and you want everyone to know it.
When NOT To Use It
This phrase is definitely not for everyday use. Avoid it in casual emails, text messages, social media posts, or any informal communication. Imagine texting your friend: "Please find herewith the amazing meme I just saw." They'd probably think your account was hacked by a Victorian ghost. It sounds unnatural and overly formal in most modern contexts. Also, be cautious using it in general business emails unless you're absolutely sure it aligns with your company's communication style. Many contemporary workplaces prefer simpler, more direct phrasing like Please find attached or I've attached. You don't want to sound like you've just stepped out of a time machine, unless that's your personal brand.
Common Mistakes
Please find herewith attached the report.
✓Please find herewith the report. (Or Please find the attached report.) – Attached after herewith is redundant; herewith implies attachment.
Herewith I send the document.
✓Please find herewith the document. – The Please find construction is the standard formal opening.
I herewith submit my application.
✓Please find herewith my application. – While grammatically okay, the Please find herewith construction is more idiomatic for presenting a document.
Please find herewith the Netflix party link. (Group chat)
✓Here's the Netflix party link! (Group chat) – Context is king! This phrase is too formal for casual use.
Common Variations
Please find attached: This is the most common and widely accepted modern formal alternative. It's professional but less stiff.Attached please find: Still formal, often seen in legal or very traditional business contexts, similar toPlease find herewithbut a tad less antiquated.Enclosed please find: Specifically used when a physical document is placed inside an envelope or package. Less relevant in digital communication.I am attaching/I have attached: Direct, clear, and perfectly acceptable in most professional settings. Often preferred for its simplicity.Here is/Here's the...: The informal, everyday way to introduce an item. Great for friends, quick internal emails, or social media.You will find: A slightly gentler way to draw attention to an attachment, often used when providing information rather than demanding action.
Real Conversations
Law Firm Senior Partner (email): "Dear Mr. Smith, please find herewith the revised contract for your immediate review and signature."
Client (reply email): "Thank you, I will review it carefully and get back to you by end of day."
University Registrar (official letter): "Ms. Johnson, please find herewith your official transcript and degree certificate."
Alumna (acknowledging receipt): "I appreciate you sending these, Registrar. Thank you."
Marketing Team Lead (Slack message): "Hey everyone, here's the link to the new campaign assets. Let me know what you think!"
Team Member (Slack reply): "Awesome, thanks! Diving in now."
Journalist (email to editor): "Dear Editor, please find herewith my article draft for your consideration for this month's issue."
Editor (reply email): "Thank you for submitting, I look forward to reading it."
Quick FAQ
Q. Is Please find herewith always about physical documents?
A. No, in the digital age, it almost exclusively refers to digital files attached to an email or message. Historically, it meant physical enclosures. The meaning has evolved with technology, but the formality remains.
Q. Does using Please find herewith make me sound smarter?
A. Not necessarily! While it's a very formal phrase, using it inappropriately can make you sound out of touch or overly stiff. Choose your words to match your audience and context for the best impression. It's about being appropriate, not just complex.
Q. Can I use herewith by itself, without Please find?
A. Yes, you can use herewith as an adverb (e.g., The documents are herewith provided.), but it's much less common and still highly formal. The Please find herewith construction is a well-established idiom, so stick with that if you want to be understood in its specific context.
Q. What if I forget to attach the document after saying Please find herewith?
A. Oh, the horror! It's a classic blunder. The recipient will likely politely point out the missing attachment, and you'll feel a tiny bit embarrassed. Always double-check your attachments, especially with such a definitive phrase. Even professional communicators sometimes forget this crucial step, so don't feel too bad.
Q. Is Please find herewith common in modern social media or texting?
A. Absolutely not! Using it in a tweet, Instagram caption, or WhatsApp message would be hilariously out of place. It's meant for serious, official communication, not for sharing your weekend brunch photos. Your friends would probably respond with a confused emoji.
Q. Does herewith mean the same as herein?
A. No, they're distinct. Herewith means with this document/message (referring to something accompanying it). Herein means in this document (referring to something contained within the text itself). For example, The rules herein specified are to be followed refers to rules *inside* the document, while Please find herewith the rulebook refers to the rulebook *attached*.
Q. Is it okay to use Please find herewith in an international business context?
A. Generally yes, if the business culture is very traditional and values formal communication. However, in more modern or globalized companies, simpler phrases are often preferred for clarity and approachability. Always consider your specific audience and their cultural norms.
Usage Notes
This phrase belongs squarely in the 'very formal' register, predominantly found in legal, governmental, and highly traditional business communications. Its usage in modern, everyday professional emails is uncommon and can make your writing sound antiquated or overly stiff. Always double-check your attachments when using this definitive phrase to maintain credibility and avoid an embarrassing omission.
Always Double-Check
If you use `Please find herewith`, make absolutely sure the document is attached! Forgetting it after such a definitive statement can be quite embarrassing and undermines your professional image.
The 'Stuffy' Trap
Using `Please find herewith` in casual emails or texts makes you sound extremely stiff and possibly a bit pretentious. Avoid it unless the situation explicitly calls for extreme formality. You don't want to accidentally sound like a robot from the 19th century.
Know Your Audience
Before using this phrase, consider who you're writing to. If they're a modern, forward-thinking company or individual, 'Please find attached' is usually a safer, more approachable choice. Match your tone to their style.
The Weight of Tradition
In some cultures, particularly those with a strong emphasis on hierarchy and formal protocol (e.g., in legal or governmental sectors), the use of 'Please find herewith' is still seen as a sign of respect and meticulousness. It acknowledges a long-standing tradition of written communication formality.
Alternative for Physical Mail
If you are sending a physical document in an envelope, the equivalent very formal phrase is `Enclosed please find`. This clearly distinguishes between digital attachments and physical enclosures.
Examples
10Dear Counsel, please find herewith the notarized affidavits as per our agreement.
Dear Counsel, here are the notarized affidavits as per our agreement.
Used to formally present legal documents to another attorney.
Please find herewith my curriculum vitae for your review, demonstrating my qualifications.
Here is my resume for your review, showing my qualifications.
A highly formal way to introduce your resume to a potential employer.
The department is pleased to provide herewith the updated policy guidelines.
The department is pleased to provide the updated policy guidelines with this document.
Illustrates its use in official statements from governmental bodies.
✗ Please find herewith the Q3 sales report. → ✓ Here's the Q3 sales report, team!
✗ Here is the Q3 sales report. → ✓ Here's the Q3 sales report, team!
Demonstrates that the phrase is too stiff for informal team communication.
We are delighted to confirm your admission; please find herewith your official acceptance letter.
We are delighted to confirm your admission; your official acceptance letter is attached.
Highlights its use in formal academic or institutional communication.
Your recent query has been resolved. Please find herewith your updated account statement.
Your recent query has been resolved. Your updated account statement is attached.
Often used in automated, formal customer communications from large institutions.
✗ Please find herewith my latest travel vlog! → ✓ Check out my latest travel vlog!
✗ Here's my latest travel vlog! → ✓ Check out my latest travel vlog!
Illustrates the phrase's complete inappropriateness for casual online content.
Our firm is pleased to submit herewith our detailed proposal for the upcoming project.
Our firm is pleased to submit our detailed proposal for the upcoming project with this document.
Emphasizes the formal submission of a key document.
For your records, please find herewith the minutes from the last board meeting.
For your records, here are the minutes from the last board meeting.
Shows its use in highly formal internal company documentation.
Hey, found those concert tickets! Here they are. (NOT 'Please find herewith the concert tickets.')
Hey, found those concert tickets! Here they are.
Reinforces that this phrase is never used in casual text messages.
Test Yourself
Choose the most appropriate sentence using 'herewith'.
Which sentence is appropriate for a formal email to a lawyer?
Option B uses 'Please find herewith' correctly in a very formal context suitable for legal correspondence. The other options are too informal.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
The phrase 'I herewith attached' is not idiomatic. The correct and more formal construction for presenting an attachment is 'Please find herewith'.
Fill in the blank with the most suitable formal expression.
While 'send herewith' is possible, 'present herewith' fits the tone of 'proudly' and 'annual financial report' perfectly in a very formal context, indicating formal submission.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum: 'Please find herewith'
Texting, casual chat, social media.
Here's the pic!
Friends, close colleagues, quick notes.
I've attached the report.
Most professional emails, general business.
Please find attached the report.
Traditional business, official communications.
Attached please find the report.
Legal, governmental, highly official documents.
Please find herewith the contract.
Where 'Please find herewith' Lives
Legal Contracts
Please find herewith the signed agreement.
Job Offer Letters
Please find herewith your employment contract.
Official Government Mail
Please find herewith your updated visa status.
Academic Submissions
Please find herewith my dissertation proposal.
Traditional Business Proposals
Please find herewith our detailed project plan.
Diplomatic Correspondence
Please find herewith the memorandum of understanding.
Similar Phrases: A Formality Face-Off
When to Choose 'Please find herewith'
High Stakes
- • Legal agreements
- • Official applications
- • Formal contracts
Traditional Settings
- • Government agencies
- • Old-school corporations
- • Academic institutions
Impeccable Precision
- • Avoiding ambiguity
- • Establishing authority
- • Formal record-keeping
Written Communication
- • Formal letters
- • Official emails
- • Bound reports
Practice Bank
3 exercisesWhich sentence is appropriate for a formal email to a lawyer?
Option B uses 'Please find herewith' correctly in a very formal context suitable for legal correspondence. The other options are too informal.
Find and fix the mistake:
I herewith attached the presentation slides for tomorrow's meeting.
The phrase 'I herewith attached' is not idiomatic. The correct and more formal construction for presenting an attachment is 'Please find herewith'.
Dear Sir/Madam, we proudly ______ our annual financial report.
While 'send herewith' is possible, 'present herewith' fits the tone of 'proudly' and 'annual financial report' perfectly in a very formal context, indicating formal submission.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
20 questionsThe primary function of 'Please find herewith' is to formally inform the recipient that a specific document or item is accompanying the current communication. It's a precise way to draw attention to an attachment in official contexts, ensuring clarity and adherence to formal protocols.
Generally, no, 'Please find herewith' is usually too formal for everyday business emails in modern companies. Most businesses prefer 'Please find attached' or 'I have attached' for a more contemporary and less stiff tone. It can make an email feel overly rigid if not used in a very specific, traditional context.
'Please find herewith' is at the highest end of the formality spectrum, categorized as 'very formal'. It signals a highly official and traditional tone, often associated with legal, governmental, or academic correspondence where precision and strict protocol are expected and valued.
Yes, 'herewith' can be used as an adverb (e.g., 'The documents are herewith provided'), but it is far less common and still maintains a very formal tone. The full phrase 'Please find herewith' is a more established and recognized idiom for introducing an attachment in formal writing.
'Herewith' means 'with this document or message', referring to an accompanying attachment, while 'herein' means 'in this document', referring to content found within the current text itself. They are distinct and not interchangeable, so be careful to choose the correct one based on what you intend to reference.
Using 'Please find herewith attached' is considered redundant because 'herewith' already implies that the item is attached or accompanies the message. Adding 'attached' immediately after it creates an unnecessary repetition and can make the sentence sound clunky and less professional. Simpler is often better in formal writing.
Yes, it is still used, predominantly in very specific formal niches such as legal documents, some governmental communications, and highly traditional business or academic correspondence. However, its usage has declined significantly in general business and personal communication, where simpler alternatives are now preferred for clarity and approachability.
Common and less formal alternatives include 'Please find attached', 'Attached please find', 'I have attached', 'I am attaching', or simply 'Here is/are'. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context of your communication, with 'Please find attached' being a widely accepted professional standard.
While traditionally used for physical enclosures, in contemporary usage, 'Please find herewith' almost exclusively refers to digital files attached to an email or electronic message. For physical items in an envelope, 'Enclosed please find' is the more precise and traditional formal phrase to use, maintaining a clear distinction.
Absolutely not. Using 'Please find herewith' in a text message, WhatsApp chat, or social media post would be highly inappropriate and would likely be perceived as humorous or odd by your audience. It's strictly for very formal written communications where a serious tone is required.
Using 'Please find herewith' can imply a deep respect for traditional forms of communication and a meticulous attention to detail, particularly in cultures that highly value formality and established protocols. It signals that the sender is adhering to a high standard of official conduct, which can be seen positively in certain professional environments.
If you are unsure whether to use 'Please find herewith', it is almost always safer to opt for a less formal but still professional alternative like 'Please find attached'. This phrase is widely understood, maintains professionalism, and is much less likely to sound out of place or overly stiff in most modern contexts.
It functions as a statement, informing the recipient of the presence of an accompanying document. While it contains 'please find', which might suggest a request, in this idiom, it is a polite but firm declaration. You are not asking them to *try* to find it, but rather stating it is definitively there.
While 'Herewith is' is grammatically correct and very formal, 'Please find herewith' is the more established and common idiomatic expression for introducing an attached document in formal correspondence. Using the full 'Please find herewith' will sound more natural to those accustomed to this specific formal register.
If your company or organization consistently uses 'Please find herewith' in its internal and external communications, then it is appropriate to use it to align with established company culture and expectations. Always observe the prevailing communication style within your specific professional environment.
Yes, 'Please find herewith' is generally considered slightly more archaic and formal than 'Attached please find'. While both are formal, 'Attached please find' feels a touch more modern and is more commonly encountered in current formal business correspondence. It's a subtle distinction, but noticeable to native speakers.
To avoid sounding too old-fashioned while maintaining formality, selectively choose your phrases. Opt for 'Please find attached' or 'I have attached' for general business. Save 'Please find herewith' only for the most traditional, legal, or official communications where its gravitas is truly required. Balance formality with clarity.
Yes, it carries emotional weight in the sense that it conveys seriousness, importance, and a certain degree of authority. It's not a phrase for lighthearted exchanges; it implies that the content being presented is significant, carefully considered, and perhaps legally binding, demanding the recipient's full attention and respect.
Yes, in very specific informal contexts, 'Please find herewith' could be used ironically or humorously to mock overly formal language, especially among friends who understand the contrast. For example, 'Please find herewith the crumbs from my breakfast' could be a funny way to apologize for a mess, but it relies on shared context for effect.
A common mistake involves incorrect word order, such as 'Herewith please find' instead of the more standard 'Please find herewith'. While the former isn't entirely wrong, the latter is the idiomatic and expected construction for this particular formal introduction, so sticking to it enhances clarity and professionalism.
Related Phrases
Please find attached
informal versionA standard and common way to indicate an attached document in an email.
This is a more modern, less formal, and widely accepted alternative to 'Please find herewith' for most professional email correspondence today.
Attached please find
formal versionA slightly more formal version of 'Please find attached', often used in traditional business.
While still formal, it's generally considered a step down in archaic formality from 'Please find herewith' and is more commonly encountered in contemporary formal writing.
Enclosed please find
related topicUsed to refer to physical documents placed inside an envelope or package.
This phrase serves the same function as 'Please find herewith' but specifically for physical enclosures, highlighting the distinction between digital and tangible items.
I have attached
informal versionA direct and clear way to state that a document has been included.
This is a much more straightforward and conversational way to introduce an attachment, suitable for most professional emails where extreme formality is not required.
Here is/are
informal versionAn informal way to present something to someone.
This is the simplest and most casual alternative for introducing an item, used among friends or in very informal work communications, completely devoid of the formality of 'Please find herewith'.