How to Write "Please Disregard My Previous Email" (20+ Alternative Phrases & Tips)

Mistakes happen! Maybe you sent an email to the wrong person, forgot to include an attachment, or realized that the information you sent was incorrect. If that’s the case, you might need to write a follow-up email to let the recipient know to ignore your previous message.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about writing a polite and effective email asking someone to disregard your previous email. We’ll also share alternative phrases, email templates, and best practices to ensure your message is clear and professional.

Why You Might Need to Send a “Please Disregard” Email

There are many reasons why you might need to send a follow-up email asking someone to disregard your previous message, such as:

Sending the email to the wrong recipient: You accidentally sent your email to the wrong person or team.
Incorrect or outdated information: The content in your original email was incorrect, outdated, or misleading.
Forgotten attachment: You forgot to include an important attachment or link.
Premature send: You hit “send” before finishing or reviewing your email.

Sending a follow-up email is crucial to clarify any misunderstandings and ensure that the recipient does not act on incorrect information.

20+ Professional Phrases to Say “Please Disregard My Previous Email”

Instead of simply saying, “Please disregard my previous email,” consider using one of these alternative phrases for a more polite and professional tone:

“Kindly ignore my last email.”
“Please disregard the email I sent earlier today.”
“I apologize for the confusion; please ignore my previous message.”
“My apologies, but the previous email contained errors. Please disregard it.”
“Please consider my earlier email as not sent.”
“Please ignore the email I sent earlier; it was sent in error.”
“I sent an email earlier by mistake. Kindly disregard it.”
“Please ignore my last email; it contained incorrect information.”
“I apologize for any confusion caused; please disregard the email I sent earlier.”
“Please treat my last email as null and void.”
“Disregard the email I sent earlier as it was sent by mistake.”
“Please accept my apologies and ignore my previous email.”
“The previous email was sent in error; kindly disregard it.”
“I made an error in my previous email. Please ignore it.”
“Please disregard my earlier message; I will send an updated email shortly.”
“Please ignore my last email. I will provide the correct information soon.”
“Apologies for the confusion; please disregard my earlier email.”
“Please delete my previous email as it was sent in error.”
“Please disregard my last email. I’ll send the correct version soon.”
“Please ignore my previous communication. I’ll clarify it in a new email.”

Tips for Writing a Follow-Up Email to Disregard a Previous Message

To ensure your email is clear and professional, follow these best practices:

Act Quickly: Send your follow-up email as soon as you realize the mistake. The faster you act, the less likely it is that the recipient will act on the incorrect information.
Use a Clear Subject Line: Make sure your subject line clearly indicates that the recipient should disregard your previous email. Examples include:
- “Correction: Please Disregard Previous Email”
- “Follow-Up: Please Ignore My Earlier Message”
- “Please Disregard: Sent in Error”
Be Polite and Professional: Use a courteous tone and avoid placing blame. Acknowledge the error and apologize if necessary.
Keep It Short and Concise: Get straight to the point. Let the recipient know that they should disregard the previous email and explain why, if needed.
Include a Call-to-Action (If Applicable): If you plan to send a corrected email, let the recipient know when they can expect it.

Sample Email Templates for “Please Disregard My Previous Email”

Here are some templates you can use based on different scenarios:

Template 1: Simple and Direct

Subject: Please Disregard My Previous Email

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I apologize for any confusion, but please disregard the email I sent earlier today. It was sent in error. I will follow up with the correct information shortly.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Template 2: Apologizing for Incorrect Information

Subject: Correction Needed – Please Disregard Previous Email

Hi [Recipient’s Name],

I’m reaching out to ask you to please disregard the email I sent earlier. Unfortunately, it contained incorrect information. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

I will be sending a corrected email shortly.

Thank you for your patience.

Best,
[Your Name]

Template 3: For a Missing Attachment

Subject: Please Ignore Last Email – Missing Attachment

Hello [Recipient’s Name],

My apologies, but the email I sent a few minutes ago was missing an important attachment. Please disregard that message. I will send an updated email with the correct attachment shortly.

Thank you for your understanding.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

When to Use “Please Disregard” Emails

Use this type of email when:

You’ve sent incorrect or incomplete information that may cause confusion.
The previous email could lead to misunderstandings or errors.
You’ve sent an email to the wrong recipient or distribution list.

Avoid using a disregard email if:

The information in your previous email is minor and doesn’t require a follow-up.
You can fix the issue by sending a corrected email without referencing the original mistake.
The email was not sent to a significant audience or doesn’t affect critical decisions.

Conclusion

Mistakes are bound to happen, especially in the fast-paced world of email communication. Knowing how to professionally ask someone to disregard a previous email is a valuable skill that can help you maintain your reputation and ensure clear communication. Use the templates and tips provided above to handle these situations with confidence.