7 Alternatives to “I Hope This Email Finds You Well”

I hope this email finds you well is an expression commonly used at the start of formal emails to express interest in the recipient’s well-being.

This expression is polite and establishes a professional tone. However, it’s frequently used and might be perceived by some people as formulaic, insincere, or old-fashioned.

Below, we provide seven useful alternatives so you can vary how you start an email, creating polite and engaging introductions that will stand out.

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1. It’s a pleasure connecting with you again

This friendly opening line can be used in emails or letters to people with whom you have previously corresponded. It’s particularly helpful if the email or letter builds on a specific point of your previous exchange.

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2. I hope you are doing well

This opening line can be used in both professional and casual contexts as a less formal alternative to “I hope this email finds you well.” To make the tone even more familiar or natural, you can use a contraction (e.g., “you’re” instead of “you are”) or the alternative phrase “hope all is well.”

3. I hope you are having a productive week

This introductory line is used to wish the recipient well in a professional manner. It’s best used in emails to coworkers or to people you are collaborating with. You can also use the less specific alternative “I hope you’re having a good week.”

4. I know you’re busy, so I’ll be brief

This shows that you are respectful of the recipient’s time. When using this line, it’s important to keep the rest of the email short and to the point. If you want the conversation to continue, you can ask questions or suggest a meeting or call.

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5. We met at …

This introduction helps to remind the recipient who you are (and how/where you previously met them). Additionally, mentioning or briefly summarizing the previous topic of conversation can act as a jumping off point for further discussion. It can be useful if you’re contacting someone you don’t know well.

6. Congratulations …

Congratulating the recipient of the email on a recent achievement can be flattering and allow you to show that you keep up to date with industry news or trends. However, to avoid embarrassment, it’s important to adequately research the recipient’s recent achievements before congratulating them.

7. [A mutual connection] said I should reach out to you

Beginning an email by mentioning a mutual connection you and the recipient share is a good way to introduce yourself. If the mutual connection is a close friend of the recipient, or a respected associate or colleague, this kind of opening can act as an endorsement of your professional skills or personal character.

It’s important not to be presumptuous: ensure that you have the permission of the shared mutual connection before including their name in the email, especially if you are making a request.

Other variants on the phrase

You can adapt the expression I hope this email finds you well and use it for numerous forms of communication other than email.

Other interesting language articles

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a synonym for “I hope this email finds you well”?

Some synonyms and phrases related to I hope this email finds you well include:

• It is a pleasure connecting with you again
• I hope you are doing well
• I hope you are having a productive week

What is a synonym for “I hope you’re doing well”?

Some synonyms and near synonyms for I hope you’re doing well include:

• I hope all is well
• I hope this email finds you well
• I hope you are having a good week

How do you start a professional email greeting?

You should start a professional email with a greeting and the name and title of the recipient (e.g., “Dear Mr. Walken”). Then, you should include an introductory line like I hope this email finds you well, followed by the body of the email.

For less formal emails, you can use a more casual introductory line like I hope you’re doing well.