Say it like this
- Kindly do the needful.
- Please approve the access request by Friday.
- Could you take care of this today?
Use it at work
With Indian colleagues
- Kindly do the needful.
- Please do the needful at the earliest.
With global teams
- Could you approve this by Friday?
- Please reset my access today if possible.
Making it clear
- Could you please review and sign the document?
- Please share the logs so we can debug.
Don't say this
The reader may not know what action you want. Say it directly.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| do the needful | do what is necessary | Indian English email | polite request endings |
| take care of it | handle it | everyone | friendly requests |
| revert | reply (Indian English) | Indian English email | asking for a response |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You need a US manager to approve your leave. What is the clearest ending?
2. The server needs a restart. Kindly do the _______.
3. Which email ending is clearest for an international team?
4. Rewrite for a UK client: 'Access is pending. Kindly do the needful and revert.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Kindly do the needful."
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More about do the needful
Real examples(3)
- in an Indian business email
"The invoice is pending approval. Kindly do the needful."
- rewritten for a global team
"The invoice is pending approval. Could you approve it by Thursday?"
- in an IT request
"Please reset my VPN access. Kindly do the needful at the earliest."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. International readers may find it vague. Always say what action you need.
- ✕Do needful.✓Do the needful.
The phrase always has "the".
- ✕Kindly do the needful and revert ASAP. (to a US client)✓Could you confirm by Friday?
This mix of Indian English phrases can confuse international readers.
Other forms(2)
- kindly do the needful polite version
"Kindly do the needful."
- take the necessary action global alternative
"Please take the necessary action."
Often used with(3)
- kindly do the needful · the most common form
- do the needful at the earliest · do it as soon as possible
- do the needful and revert · do it and reply
Similar words(3)
- please take care of this · friendly and clear
- please take the necessary action · formal
- could you + specific action · the clearest option
Opposites(2)
- no action needed
- FYI only
Questions(4)
- What does 'do the needful' mean?
- It means "do what is necessary". It asks the reader to take whatever action the email needs.
- Is 'do the needful' correct English?
- Yes, it is standard Indian English and was once common in British English. It sounds old-fashioned to many US and UK readers today.
- What can I say instead?
- Name the action: "Please approve the request", "Could you reset the password?", or "Please take care of this by Friday."
- Is it rude?
- No, it is meant politely. The problem is only that it can be unclear.
