The phrase “for your reference” is widely used in emails, documents, and messages to provide information that the recipient might find useful.
Essentially, it signals that you are sharing a resource, document, or piece of information for someone’s review or guidance.
While it is perfectly acceptable, overusing it can make writing repetitive and dull.
Choosing alternative expressions not only adds variety but also allows you to match the tone with your audience.
Using formal or professional alternatives strengthens credibility in workplace emails, while casual variations are friendlier for social conversations or team chats.
For example, saying “For your reference, here is the report” is formal, whereas “Just so you know, here’s the report” is more casual.
Knowing when and how to switch these phrases improves clarity, professionalism, and overall communication skills.
What Does “For Your Reference” Mean?
Definition:
“For your reference” means providing information, documents, or guidance so the recipient can use it for review, understanding, or future action.
Grammar Form:
It is a prepositional phrase often used at the beginning of a sentence in emails or documents.
Synonyms:
- FYI (informal)
- For your information (formal/informal)
Opposite Tone Expressions:
- No need to check this (neutral/relaxed tone)
Example Sentences:
- For your reference, I have attached the updated schedule.
- Please find the invoice attached for your reference.
When to Use “For Your Reference”
Spoken English:
Rarely used in casual conversations; sounds formal.
Example: “For your reference, the meeting starts at 3 PM.”
Business English:
Common in professional emails, reports, and presentations. Signals helpfulness and professionalism.
Emails / Messages:
Widely used to attach documents, links, or instructions. Appropriate for both formal and semi-formal emails.
Social Media:
Rarely used. A casual replacement like “Just so you know” works better.
Academic Writing:
Used in research notes or as a polite pointer to reference materials.
Professional Meetings:
Can be used when sharing documents or referencing previous discussions.
Is “For Your Reference” Polite or Professional?
Tone Levels:
- Polite ✅
- Neutral ✅
- Strong ❌
- Soft ✅
Formal vs Informal:
It is formal, professional, and widely accepted in workplace communication.
Etiquette Tip:
Use it in corporate emails and business reports. Avoid in casual texts, where it might sound stiff.
Pros & Cons of Using “For Your Reference”
✔ Pros:
- Polite and professional
- Clear and concise
- Easily understood in business contexts
✘ Cons:
- Overused in emails, sounding repetitive
- Can appear distant or formal in casual settings
- May not suit conversational English
Quick Alternatives (One-Line Phrases):
- For your information
- FYI
- Just to keep you updated
- For your guidance
- Please see attached
- As a reference
- As discussed
- For your review
- For your perusal
- Attached for your consideration
- For your attention
- Just so you know
- As mentioned
- As a reminder
- Kindly note
15 Alternatives to “For Your Reference”
1. For Your Information
Meaning: Sharing information without requiring action.
Explanation: Neutral, slightly formal, suitable for both email and spoken communication.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: For your information, the client meeting has been rescheduled.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Professional
Worst Use: Casual text among friends
Tone: Formal / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when simply informing someone.
2. FYI
Meaning: Short for “For Your Information.”
Explanation: Very casual, common in chats and internal emails.
Grammar Note: Abbreviation / informal
Example Sentence: FYI, the server will be down tonight.
Best Use: Informal email / Chat / Text message
Worst Use: Formal reports or client emails
Tone: Friendly / Informal
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Quick replacement in casual internal communication.
3. For Your Guidance
Meaning: Providing direction or advice.
Explanation: Slightly more formal, emphasizes helping the recipient make decisions.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: I am sharing the updated guidelines for your guidance.
Best Use: Workplace / Email / Professional meetings
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Professional / Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when advice or decision-making is involved.
4. Please See Attached
Meaning: Indicates there is an attachment to check.
Explanation: Clear, direct, suitable for email communication.
Grammar Note: Instructional phrase
Example Sentence: Please see attached the monthly sales report.
Best Use: Email / Professional / Academic
Worst Use: Spoken English
Tone: Formal / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6/10
Replaceability Tip: Best for sharing documents.
5. As a Reference
Meaning: Something provided for background or comparison.
Explanation: Slightly formal; implies the information is to consult or compare.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: The previous year’s data is provided as a reference.
Best Use: Email / Reports / Academic
Worst Use: Informal text
Tone: Neutral / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when referring to supporting materials.
6. For Your Review
Meaning: Asking someone to check or read information.
Explanation: Formal and polite; encourages action.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Attached is the draft proposal for your review.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Academic
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when feedback is expected.
7. As Discussed
Meaning: Referring to previously talked-about items.
Explanation: Polite, professional, and commonly used in emails.
Grammar Note: Past participle phrase
Example Sentence: As discussed, please find the contract attached.
Best Use: Professional / Email / Meetings
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Formal / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when referencing previous conversations.
8. Attached for Your Consideration
Meaning: Offering something for the recipient to think about or act on.
Explanation: Formal, polite, and common in professional emails.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Attached for your consideration is the proposed schedule.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Academic
Worst Use: Text messages
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when seeking evaluation or approval.
9. For Your Attention
Meaning: Asking someone to focus on the attached or mentioned information.
Explanation: Slightly formal; polite but directive.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: This document is submitted for your attention.
Best Use: Professional / Workplace / Emails
Worst Use: Informal chat
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use to highlight importance.
10. Just So You Know
Meaning: Informal way to share information.
Explanation: Friendly, casual, suitable for chat or team communication.
Grammar Note: Informal expression
Example Sentence: Just so you know, the meeting is moved to 4 PM.
Best Use: Informal / Chat / Text message
Worst Use: Formal emails
Tone: Friendly / Casual
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 5/10
Replaceability Tip: Use in casual contexts.
11. As Mentioned
Meaning: Referring to something already stated or shared.
Explanation: Professional, polite, suitable for email follow-ups.
Grammar Note: Past participle phrase
Example Sentence: As mentioned, the report is attached for your review.
Best Use: Email / Professional / Workplace
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Best for follow-ups.
12. As a Reminder
Meaning: Politely reminding someone of information.
Explanation: Formal, soft, and professional.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: As a reminder, please submit the report by Friday.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Meetings
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Polite / Formal
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when reminding without sounding pushy.
13. Kindly Note
Meaning: Polite instruction to acknowledge information.
Explanation: Formal, commonly used in corporate emails.
Grammar Note: Polite imperative
Example Sentence: Kindly note the changes in the project timeline.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Professional
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use for formal instructions.
14. For Your Action
Meaning: Indicates the recipient needs to act on the information.
Explanation: Professional, directive, and polite.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: The attached file is for your action by Monday.
Best Use: Email / Workplace / Professional
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when action is expected.
15. For Your Records
Meaning: For someone to keep for future reference.
Explanation: Formal, neutral; commonly used in accounting, HR, or documentation.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Attached is the contract for your records.
Best Use: Professional / Workplace / Email
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Formal / Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when storing information for future use.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Dialogue:
A: “Attached is the project plan for your review.”
B: “Thank you, I will go through it and share my feedback.”
Informal Dialogue:
A: “Just so you know, the meeting’s at 4 PM.”
B: “Got it, thanks for the heads-up!”
Business Email Example:
Subject: Updated Schedule for Your Attention
Dear Mr. Khan,
Please find attached the updated schedule for your attention.
Kind regards,
Sara
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing “for your reference” in every email.
- Using FYI in formal corporate emails.
- Placing it awkwardly mid-sentence instead of at the start.
- Confusing casual alternatives with formal ones.
- Using it when action is expected (“for your reference” doesn’t imply action).
- Forgetting to attach the document while writing the phrase.
- Mixing multiple alternatives in the same sentence, making it clunky.
Cultural & Tone Tips
- UK English: Sounds formal and polite; often used in corporate emails.
- US English: Widely accepted but sometimes replaced with “for your information” or FYI in informal settings.
- Casual Social English: Rarely used; “just so you know” or “heads-up” are preferred.
Comparison Table of Best Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For your information | Neutral/Formal | Email, Workplace | Professional | FYI, the meeting is at 3 PM. |
| FYI | Informal | Internal chat | Semi-professional | FYI, server downtime tonight. |
| For your review | Formal | Email, Academic | Professional | Attached for your review is the proposal. |
| Kindly note | Formal | Email, Workplace | Professional | Kindly note the new guidelines. |
| For your records | Neutral/Formal | HR, Documentation | Professional | Attached for your records is the signed contract. |
FAQs
Is “for your reference” rude?
No, it is polite and professional.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, especially in formal or professional emails.
What is the most formal alternative?
For your attention or Attached for your consideration.
What is the most polite alternative?
Kindly note or For your review.
Can beginners use it safely?
Yes, it is clear and simple for beginners.
What is the casual alternative?
Just so you know or FYI.
Conclusion
Using varied alternatives to “for your reference” improves clarity, keeps your writing engaging, and demonstrates professionalism.
Selecting the right phrase ensures your message matches the tone and audience, whether in emails, meetings, or casual communication.
Practicing these alternatives will make you more confident in both formal and informal settings.
Remember, variety in word choice is a subtle but powerful tool for fluent, natural communication.
Ethan Cole is a passionate language enthusiast dedicated to making English learning simple and enjoyable.