We kindly request

You usually put this phrase at the beginning of a sentence. It is followed by the thing you want. For example, We kindly request your presence or We kindly request that you sign the document. Notice that you can follow it with a noun (your presence) or a that clause (that you sign). It’s very common in written English, especially emails and letters. In spoken English, you might hear it at a very formal event like a gala or a graduation ceremony. It’s a great tool when you need to be firm but don't want to be rude. If you're writing a formal complaint or a request for a refund, this phrase is your best friend. It keeps the tone professional so the other person takes you seriously. It’s like using a digital filter to make your email look expensive.

This phrase is firmly in the very formal category. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 9. You’ll find it in corporate memos, legal documents, and wedding invitations. It belongs to the "formal business register." This means it’s perfect for professional relationships. You wouldn't use it in a WhatsApp group with your gym buddies. However, on LinkedIn or in a Slack message to a CEO, it fits perfectly. Be careful, though—if you use it in a casual setting, it can sound sarcastic or even a bit "passive-aggressive." In some cultures, like India, it’s used more frequently in daily business. In the US or UK, it’s reserved for truly official moments. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a firm, dry handshake.

You’ll see this all over the internet. On a travel website, you might see: "We kindly request that all passengers arrive two hours early." On a streaming service's terms of service: "We kindly request your cooperation in protecting account security." Even on TikTok, a creator might use it jokingly in a caption: "We kindly request that you stop scrolling and hit the like button." It’s everywhere in the digital world. If you're booking an Airbnb and the host is very fancy, their house rules might say: "We kindly request that guests remove their shoes." It’s the standard way to set boundaries without sounding like a drill sergeant. It’s a great way to say "no" politely, too. Like, "We kindly request that you do not take photos in the museum."

Use this phrase when you want to show that you're an expert in formal English. It's a great choice for business emails, especially when asking for a favor or a payment. You’ll also find it at formal weddings or events. "We kindly request the pleasure of your company." It's for moments when you want to sound like a professional organization, not a person. It's great when you're writing a cover letter or a formal request for information. It shows you're serious and that you're being as polite as possible about it. It’s perfect for a formal apology, too. "We kindly request your forgiveness for the delay." It's the language of professional respect and high-class etiquette. Just remember to use it sparingly, like salt in a soup.

Don't use it in a text message to your best friend. It will sound super weird. If you ask your sister, "We kindly request that you bring pizza," she'll probably laugh at you. In very casual contexts, this phrase sounds cold and unfriendly. It creates a lot of distance between people. Also, don't use it if you're feeling really angry. If you're shouting at a barista, don't say, "I kindly request my coffee!" That’s just being rude with fancy words. Use it only when the relationship is professional. Avoid it in casual Slack channels with close coworkers. If you're in a hurry and need a quick favor, Please is better. We kindly request is the slow, deliberate language of formal systems. It’s the linguistic version of a very long, very polite line at a bank.

One big mistake is mixing formality levels. For example, ✗ We kindly request that you bring some snacks to the party tonight. The phrase We kindly request is way too formal for a party with friends. Another is using kindly as if it's a magic word that makes anything okay. ✗ We kindly request that you stop being so annoying. This just sounds sarcastic. Another mistake is using the singular I incorrectly. While you can say I kindly request, We is much more common in business settings. Another error is overusing it. If every sentence in your email starts with We kindly request, you’ll sound like a robot or a very boring AI. Keep it for the one main thing you really need. It’s also wrong to follow it with informal slang. ✗ We kindly request that you chill out. It just doesn't work.

You might see We request, but it sounds a bit colder. Adding kindly softens the blow. We respectfully request is even more formal. It’s like wearing a tuxedo with a top hat. Then there’s We would kindly ask, which is a bit more British and sounds very polite. Some people use Please kindly..., but that’s actually redundant. Please and kindly are doing the same job! In Indian English, Kindly do the needful is a very common variation, though it sounds a bit strange to American or British ears. Another common way to say this is We would appreciate it if you could..., which is very natural and polite. In a business context, Your cooperation is requested is a more passive, even more formal version. It’s the language of official notices and legal rules.

Is We kindly request always polite? Not always. Sometimes it can sound a bit stiff or passive-aggressive if you use it while you’re angry. Can I use it in an email to my boss? Yes, it’s a very safe and professional choice for an official request. Is it okay to say I kindly request? Yes, but We is much more common when you’re representing a company or a team. Is it different from please? Yes, it’s much more formal and official. How do I follow it? Use a noun like your attention or a that clause like that you sign. Is it old-fashioned? A little bit, but it’s still very common in modern business and formal invitations. Is it too formal for LinkedIn? No, it’s a great way to sound professional on a platform like LinkedIn. Is it used in American English? Yes, especially in formal letters and corporate communication. Is it more common in British English? It’s used in both, but British English sometimes uses it in a slightly more traditional way.