It means "Please do this as son as you can without dropping something else.". It is correct to use at your earliest convenience to express that you want someone to do something soon politely. (1) it's rude. Whenever you can, could you get to start the email list? There are many ways to say to someone that they can choose based on the earliest convenience. Its also a great way to promote flexibility and understanding among classmates, group project partners, or coworkers. It is a very polite way to mention a time limit when youre making a formal request in a business or academic setting. The phrase at my earliest convenience isn't inherently impolite. This site is owned and operated by Sona Digital Media LLC. I've never seen this but the statement is left vague at the word "convenience" in my opinion. ', @F.K just say so, eg 'I am flexible and I can adapt to your schedule. It is less ambiguous, but like the other phrase may be used a variety of ways. The noun convenience has several definitions in English. Oops! @F.K that's extremely vague, you might want to specify what timeframe you have in mind. Here are a few examples that we can look over that highlight the use of this phrase: We can use when you have a spare moment very similarly to our other phrases. When they do you might want to send a card to their family. If you do have time to honor a request, instead of saying youll get around to it when its convenient, tell the person when they can expect your response. [.] I think youll help us out here. If you could complete the filing at a suitable time. I'll break the case as soon as possible. No, saying "at your convenience" is generally understood to be a polite way of saying that you recognize that the other person is very busy, and so asking them to choose a time for a meeting instead of you selecting a time. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. 1. Its urgent. What sort of contractor retrofits kitchen exhaust ducts in the US? Oct 28, 2011 at 4:40am. Such phrases help us make requests or suggestions that are not urgent. Of course, there is no way to inform people of any of this without being rude and picayune. They can convey a certain tone, depending on the context in which theyre used. "As this matter is urgent, I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible." "I would be grateful for your prompt reply." "I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible." "I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience." (Slightly old-fashioned.) Would you have some time/ be available later this week? Please let me know if the suggested time does not work for you. Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Although you could use softer, less jaron-laden language like "whenever you have time" or "as soon as you're able", once again, we prefer specificity. Im going to need our profit and loss statement from Q1 in order to prepare a report. 6 an object that is particularly useful, esp. For example, return a phone call, finish a project, or arrive to a destination. Copyright 2023 Strategies for Parents | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Spanish: lo antes que le sea posible You can feel free to come over whenever you like! DEFINITELY never say "at your earliest convenience " unless it's a super formal business matter and you're the boss. at your convenient time. Id appreciate it if you could help me with something when youre able to. Put someone on the same pedestal as another, What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude). If seeing at my earliest convenience in the workplace, I will get the account information over to you, This is a major mistake. However, "when it suits you" gives you the option to be more polite , allowing you to direct your request to a superior. 2. a convenient time or situation. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Check out these examples of the prepositional phrase in action: We use at your earliest convenience to describe a time in the future that is relative to now. In the first example, the speaker expects the listener to return their phone call sometime soon. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. If you have written me an email, expect me to get back to you at my earliest convenience., I have stepped away from the office for some time. With friends, youd more likely say when it suits you or something more casual. At any other time, always say "I look forward to hearing from you.". at someone's earliest convenience Definitions and Synonyms phrase formal DEFINITIONS 1 1 as soon as someone is able to do something Please call me back at your earliest convenience. . However, when it suits you gives you the option to be more polite, allowing you to direct your request to a superior. Withdrawing a paper after acceptance modulo revisions? This article will explore the phrase and what to say instead of at your earliest convenience.. Two faces sharing same four vertices issues. -An alternate date and time for the meeting, in case the first one is not available. 16 Other Ways to Say Thank You for Your Understanding, 15 Other Ways to Say I Hope You Understand, 10 Words for Feeling Happy and Sad at the Same Time, 11 Other Ways to Say Thank You for Your Help, 11 Other Ways to Say Please Accept My Apology, 10 Words for Someone Who Wont Admit They Are Wrong. I will return on 10/3/23. What information do I need to ensure I kill the same process, not one spawned much later with the same PID? You might receive a letter from a doctor or other service provider requesting that you book a follow-up appointment or something similar at your convenience. This means you are requested to make the booking, but the timing is up to you. I think it is just a natural mistake. At your convenience is a prepositional phrase that contains a preposition (at), a determiner (your), and a noun (convenience). As soon as you get a chance, could you send over John Smiths required paperwork and letter letters? Strong background in system administrator, technical support and customer relations.<br><br>I am an IT professional who works very well with others and who possesses outstanding trouble-shooting skills. 4 at your earliest convenience. The phrase allows the reader to see this as a mutual sign of respect. So, when we use earliest, we indicate that wed like you to do it when its convenient for you, but still as soon as possible. Any other suggestion would be appreciated. You can use whenever works as it suggests that you dont have a specific time in mind for someone to complete a task. Does Chain Lightning deal damage to its original target first? I would say "When you have time, can you call me?" The object of the preposition is a noun (or noun clause) that gives the reference point; the object of the preposition explains who, what, or what time the preposition is describing (source). 3. at your convenience at a time suitable to you. A prepositional phrase always includes a preposition and a noun or noun clause (source). Dear , I would like to reschedule our meeting on , to , , due to . I appreciate you doing this as soon as you get a chance. You should not use at your earliest convenience if there is no time limit on the task or favor that you are asking for. vs on your convenient time. Surely, you meant well. United States. At my convenience actually stresses the fact that the you will do whatever you are asked to whenever you may like or have spare time to do it, but whether it is 'rude' may also depend on personal opinion. "My convenience" means "I'll get back to you when I'm good and ready." There is another common phrase that can be easily twisted from polite to rude. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? Joined Feb 23, 2009 Member Type Other Feb 23, 2009 #3 Unregistered said: Can we use "Please reply at your earliest" instead of "Please reply at your earliest convenience". In both cases, there is not a strong sense of urgency. English (US) "please let me know a time that is convenient for you" or "please let me know what time is convenient for you" sounds more natural, but yes, this is polite. at your earliest convenience ( written) as soon as possible: Please telephone at your earliest convenience. Finally, if you please wish to discuss how I could further assist you and your organisation, I would be delighted to set up an online meeting at your earliest convenience. This would be considered another very polite phrase to use, however, we should only use this phrase when there is no strict deadline or necessity for quick completion. Because they could be waiting to hear when the mechanic feels their earliest convenience time could be. You need to hear idioms in conversation to understand and use them yourself. what is the difference between 'convenience' and 'opportunity'? Could a torque converter be used to couple a prop to a higher RPM piston engine? For example: If it's convenient, I would suggest meeting at [location, time and place]. Jane, quite self-satisfied, might impolitely tell you, I'll complete your order when I'm good and ready. Other persons might tell you, matter-of-factly and indifferently, I'll do it when I'm good and ready, merely to inform you that their time is arranged to suit their own needs rather than yours, and you'll get no special consideration. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Coming from the person expected to do the favor, it is just as polite if they are putting "convenience" as high on their to-do list as we expect. Get this work done for me at your earliest convenience. Every prepositional phrase includes a preposition and the object of the preposition. It shows that you want someone to help you, but using please shows that you appreciate youre asking a lot of them. When we say to someone when you get around to it we are giving the person in question the choice of when to accomplish something. We often use prepositional phrases in English. Manage Settings English - United Kingdom. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. With the phrase at your earliest convenience, the speaker shifts the focus away from the tasks urgency and onto the listeners schedule or availability. Weve already stated that you should drop at my earliest convenience from workplace and personal communication tout de suite. The context in which theyre used soon as you get a chance, you. Information do I need to hear idioms in conversation to understand and use them yourself example of being! At your earliest convenience at your earliest convenient time 'opportunity ' need to ensure I kill the PID! When they do you might want to send a card to their family allows the reader to see as! 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