If you’re unsure how to tell someone that they forgot to attach a file or document to their email, this article is here to help!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 alternative ways to let someone know that they’ve forgotten to send an attachment without causing any undue embarrassment. So, read on!
- I can’t seem to find the attachment
- I didn’t receive the attachment
- The attachment appears to be missing
- It looks like you forgot the attachment
- Could you please resend the attachment
- I’m having trouble finding the attachment
- The attachment is missing
- I am unable to access the attachment
- I don’t see the attachment
- The attachment hasn’t come through
1. I Can’t Seem to Find the Attachment
If you want to be polite to the recipient of your email, a good choice of phrase is I can’t seem to find the attachment.
This is a good phrase to use when speaking to your employer or a client. It is highly tactful since you are essentially taking responsibility for their mistake.
In short, this phrase lets the other person know that they will need to resend the file or document without pointing out directly that they have forgotten to attach it. Thus, it spares them some embarrassment as a courtesy.
For example:
Dear Mr. Joel,
Thank you for your email.
However, I can’t seem to find the attachment you mentioned.
Would you mind resending it?
Kind regards,
Frieda Loswroth
2. I Didn’t Receive the Attachment
The phrase I didn’t receive the attachment is very straightforward and tonally neutral.
As such, you can use this phrase when speaking to a coworker you aren’t particularly close to.
This phrase is somewhat polite in that it states that you didn’t receive the attachment without blaming the other person for failing to send it.
However, it may come across as a tad terse if you aren’t careful, so make sure to keep the rest of your email light and courteous.
Let’s see an email example that includes this phrase:
Dear Benjamin.
I’m afraid I didn’t receive the attachment.
Would you mind sending it again?
Regards,
Lorraine
3. The Attachment Appears to Be Missing
You can use the phrase the attachment appears to be missing when speaking to a fellow professional. For example, a member of another company.
This phrase has a straightforward and professional tone but is also polite.
By that, we mean it doesn’t mention directly that the other person forgot to send the attachment. In fact, it implies that the attachment may simply have gotten lost in transit!
Therefore, this phrase is a good way to be clear that you need the attachment to be resent while also being respectful to the other person.
See the example below:
Dear Mira,
I have received your email, but the attachment appears to be missing.
Please resend it at your convenience.
Regards,
Ashton
4. It Looks Like You Forgot the Attachment
Sometimes, it’s easier to simply tell someone that they made a harmless mistake.
In particular, if you have a friendly dynamic with your coworker, you can be more honest in your email and simply say it looks like you forgot the attachment.
After all, this isn’t a criticism, as people forget to send email attachments all the time!
Moreover, if you have a good rapport with your colleague, they’ll know that they have no need to feel embarrassed about forgetting. After all, it’s just you!
To ensure that your colleague knows it’s no big deal, you should maintain an overall friendly tone in your email.
For instance:
Hi Martha,
It looks like you forgot the attachment in your last email.
Would you mind sending it over?
Thanks very much!
All the best,
Julie
5. Could You Please Resend the Attachment
Another example of how to ask someone to resend an attachment is could you resend the attachment.
You can ask could you resend the attachment in two circumstances.
Firstly, this is a suitable phrase to use if the recipient forgot to add the attachment to their email. This phrase simply asks them to resend the attachment without pointing out that they have forgotten it.
Secondly, you can use this phrase if the file or document attached is in a format that doesn’t work on your computer. Sometimes, you will need to ask the recipient to resend the file in a format compatible with your software.
In either case, the inclusion of “please” makes this phrase appropriately polite for an email to a coworker you don’t know very well or another professional from a different organization.
Have a look at the following email example:
Dear Lloyd,
Could you please resend the attachment as a CSV file?
I’m afraid it is inaccessible to me in its current format.
Regards,
Karina
6. I’m Having Trouble Finding the Attachment
I’m having trouble finding the attachment is a polite way to let a client know that they have failed to send an attachment without saying so directly.
This phrase places the blame on your inability to find the attachment for whatever reason. Therefore, it relieves the client of blame or embarrassment, even if you know it was a mistake on their end.
This is a good way to make the client comfortable and maintain an open line of communication.
Therefore, let’s look at a sample email with this phrase in tow:
Dear Mr. Morey,
Thank you for your email, but I’m having trouble finding the attachment.
Would you kindly send it again?
Regards,
Hannah Blake
7. The Attachment Is Missing
When you’re speaking to a colleague you are close to, you can generally do away with all the niceties and be more straightforward in your email exchanges.
In fact, this is often preferred in a busy office setting.
Therefore, if they have forgotten to add an attachment to their email, you can simply respond with the phrase the attachment is missing.
This phrase states the facts without mentioning that they have forgotten since there’s really no need.
Check out the following email sample:
Hi Sade,
The attachment is missing.
Could you send it again?
Best,
Charlize
8. I Am Unable to Access the Attachment
You can say I am unable to access the attachment when you’ve been sent a document or file that is in a format incompatible with your computer software.
In this instance, it’s good to make clear that you have received the attachment but can’t open it.
After all, it will seem strange to ask the other person to resend something they’ve already sent. Moreover, you don’t want them to simply send another inaccessible file.
This phrase uses fairly formal and professional phrasing, so you can use it in an email to a client or a fellow professional.
See the example below:
Dear Miss Kelliway,
I’m afraid I am unable to access the attachment in its current format.
Please resend it as a PDF at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
Cleo Norton
9. I Don’t See the Attachment
You can say I don’t see the attachment in an email to a colleague, regardless of the nature of your relationship at work.
This is a good phrase to use if you don’t want to assume that they failed to send the attachment. Or you at least don’t want to embarrass the receiver by implying that they have forgotten.
Therefore, you can simply say that you don’t see the attachment and ask them to resend it.
This is a safe option for an email to any colleague, even if they are from a different department, as it is clear without being accusatory.
Have a look at the following email sample:
Dear Nathan,
I don’t see the attachment at the moment.
Would you mind sending it again?
All the best,
Chelsea
10. The Attachment Hasn’t Come Through
If you’re speaking to your boss or another superior, you never want to imply that they have made a mistake (even if it’s obvious that they have).
Therefore, instead of mentioning that they failed to send an attachment, you can simply blame it on the ether of the internet and say the attachment hasn’t come through.
This phrase implies that the attachment has simply been lost in transit and reduces any embarrassment on the part of the recipient.
Therefore, let’s see it in an email example:
Dear Ms. Waymond,
It appears that the attachment hasn’t come through.
Please resend it at a time that’s convenient.
Kind regards,
Jeremy Howell
