7 Email Phrases That Make You Sound Junior (And What Executives Write Instead)
Your Grammar Is Perfect. Your Emails Still Sound Junior.
You’ve spent years perfecting your English. You nail the grammar. You know the vocabulary. Yet somehow, your emails still don’t land the way a native executive’s would.
The problem isn’t your English level—it’s the phrases you’ve learned that native speakers abandoned years ago.
I coach Latin American executives at Fortune 500 companies, and I see this pattern constantly: technically correct emails that accidentally signal inexperience, uncertainty, or lower status.
Here are seven phrases to delete from your vocabulary today—and exactly what to write instead.
1) “I wanted to reach out…”
Why it sounds junior: This phrase is passive, indirect, and adds nothing. It delays your actual message and sounds like you’re apologizing for existing in someone’s inbox.
What executives write:
❌ “I wanted to reach out to discuss the Q3 proposal.”
✅ “The Q3 proposal needs your input by Friday.”
The principle: Start with your point, not with narration about yourself.
2) “Sorry to bother you, but…”
Why it sounds junior: You’re framing your request as an inconvenience before anyone has even read it. This instantly lowers your status and makes the reader feel burdened.
What executives write:
❌ “Sorry to bother you, but could you review this document?”
✅ “Could you review this document by Thursday? Your input on the pricing section would be especially valuable.”
The principle: Replace apologies with appreciation or directness. If your request is legitimate, own it.
3) “Just following up…”
Why it sounds junior: “Just” minimizes your message. It signals that even you don’t think this email is important. It also sounds like you’re nagging without adding new value.
What executives write:
❌ “Just following up on my previous email.”
✅ “Moving this up—I need your decision by EOD Wednesday to keep the project on track.”
The principle: Every follow-up should add new information, context, or urgency. Don’t just remind—advance.
4) “I think maybe we should…”
Why it sounds junior: Stacking hedges (“I think” + “maybe”) signals deep uncertainty. Executives hear this as: “I’m not confident enough to own this recommendation.”
What executives write:
❌ “I think maybe we should consider postponing the launch.”
✅ “I recommend postponing the launch. Here’s why.”
The principle: One hedge is human. Two hedges is insecurity. State your recommendation, then defend it.
5) “Does that make sense?”
Why it sounds junior: This puts the burden of understanding on the reader while simultaneously questioning your own clarity. It’s often read as: “I’m not sure I explained this well.”
What executives write:
❌ “We’ll restructure the team into three pods. Does that make sense?”
✅ “We’ll restructure the team into three pods. Happy to walk through the details if useful.”
The principle: Assume you were clear. Offer help, don’t question yourself.
6) “Please advise.”
Why it sounds junior: This phrase is vague and passive. It puts all the work on the recipient without clarifying what kind of input you actually need.
What executives write:
❌ “The client requested a discount. Please advise.”
✅ “The client requested a 15% discount. I recommend offering 10% with faster payment terms. Do you approve, or should we counter differently?”
The principle: Don’t ask for generic “advice.” Present options and ask for a specific decision.
7) “Hope this helps!”
Why it sounds junior: This sign-off sounds eager-to-please in a way that undermines professional authority. It’s fine for customer support, but not for executive communication.
What executives write:
❌ “Attached is the analysis. Hope this helps!”
✅ “Attached is the analysis. Let me know if you need anything else before Thursday’s meeting.”
The principle: Close with a clear next step or offer, not cheerful hope.
The Pattern Behind These Fixes
Notice what all the “junior” phrases have in common:
- Over-apologizing for taking up space
- Hedging to avoid owning your ideas
- Vagueness instead of specific asks
- Narrating instead of communicating
Executive emails are:
- Direct (point first, context second)
- Confident (one hedge maximum)
- Specific (clear asks, clear deadlines)
- Action-oriented (every email moves something forward)
Quick Reference: Before & After
| Junior Phrase | Executive Alternative |
|---|---|
| ”I wanted to reach out…” | [State your point directly] |
| “Sorry to bother you…" | "Could you…” or “I’d appreciate…" |
| "Just following up…" | "Moving this up—[new context or deadline]" |
| "I think maybe…" | "I recommend…" |
| "Does that make sense?" | "Happy to clarify if useful." |
| "Please advise." | "[Options] Which do you prefer?" |
| "Hope this helps!" | "Let me know if you need anything else.” |
Put This Into Practice
Before your next important email, scan for these seven phrases. Replace them using the patterns above.
Want more templates for difficult email situations? Download my 6 Email Templates for Difficult Situations—including scripts for pushing back, delivering bad news, and following up without sounding desperate.
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