Are you trying to figure out the best way to get someone to do something unless they’re told something different?
Perhaps you’re thinking unless otherwise specified will work well here.
But if you’re worried the phrase is incorrect or unprofessional, you might need further insight.
Luckily, this article will teach you how to say unless otherwise specified in another way.
7 Alternative Ways to Say “Unless Otherwise Specified”
Feel free to check out these 7 alternatives to learn a better way to say unless otherwise specified:
- Except if instructed otherwise
- Unless otherwise stated
- Absent any other instructions
- Unless explicitly told otherwise
- Unless we tell you otherwise
- Without different instructions
- Unless given an update
1. Except if Instructed Otherwise
Let’s start with except if instructed otherwise. This is a great synonym for unless otherwise specified that clearly lays out your plans for people to understand.
Generally, this works best when emailing employees. It tells them that you have a specific way for them to complete a task, so you’d like them to follow through with it.
It’s clear and shows that they might be told to do something differently as well. However, this only applies if they receive explicit instructions from you.
Check out this email sample to learn more about how it works:
Dear Chandler,
Please continue working on this project except if instructed otherwise.
You can always email me if you need any more information about it.
Best regards,
Suzanne Carter
2. Unless Otherwise Stated
Next, we recommend using unless otherwise stated.
This works well when texting your team. It’s a good choice because it shows that you have a plan for them to complete something, and you’d like them to follow your original instructions.
It’s quite formal. So, it works best when you’re the team leader rather than just another coworker.
It’s best to use it when sounding authoritative and direct.
For example, you can refer to the following message samples:
Please continue working on this unless otherwise stated, team. I’m sure you know what we’ll be able to get out of it.
Unless otherwise stated, I think this is the best way for us to advance. What do you all think?
3. Absent Any Other Instructions
You can also use absent any other instructions as a professional way to say unless otherwise specified.
It’s effective when contacting clients. It lets them know that you’d like them to do something in a specific way.
It’ll also show clients that you’re happy for them to work on something, as already discussed. This will only change if you or someone else emails them again to change the plans.
So, feel free to review this email example to learn more about how it might work:
Dear Mr. Kong,
Absent any other instructions, we would like you to wait for now.
There isn’t much else you can do on your end, so please leave it with us.
Kind regards,
Max Handy
4. Unless Explicitly Told Otherwise
Feel free to include unless explicitly told otherwise as another way to say unless otherwise specified.
This one is a bit more conversational and direct. So, it’s probably better to use it when writing a text message to an employee.
Generally, it’s a great choice that shows you have a plan for them.
It’s most likely that you won’t change the plan, but it’s still good to use this to remind them that you could always tell them to do something else if necessary.
You can also review these text message samples to learn more about it:
Unless explicitly told otherwise, I think this is your best bet. Please continue to pursue this project until we’ve decided what comes next.
I want you to do this unless explicitly told otherwise. Do you think this is something you can work on for me?
5. Unless We Tell You Otherwise
Next, you can write unless we tell you otherwise.
This is generally a great choice that lets employees know if you’re going to change your plans.
So, you should use this to sound bossy and demanding. It’s helpful when writing to employees because they’ll trust your understanding of a situation and will be more likely to do what you say.
Feel free to review this email example to find out more about how it works:
Dear Team,
Please continue working on this project unless we tell you otherwise.
There is no reason to believe the company will not need these projects completed.
Yours,
Sonya Redding
6. Without Different Instructions
You can also write without different instructions instead of unless otherwise specified.
This works well when writing to coworkers. It shows that you have been given a project or task to work on and pass the information around to them.
From there, you can let them know that they should work on it as stated. So, unless your boss comes along and changes the instructions, this phrase works well and gets everyone in line.
Check out these message samples to learn more:
I think we should work on this as stated without different instructions. Of course, it’s up to the boss to decide that, though.
Without different instructions, there’s no reason for us to mix things up. Do you think you can handle it?
7. Unless Given an Update
Finally, you can use unless given an update instead of unless otherwise specified.
This phrase works really well and keeps things professional when needed.
So, you can use it when writing to a client. It lets them know that you have something arranged for them that shouldn’t change, but you will update them if something does happen.
It’s also quite a polite choice. So, most clients will be more than happy to receive it from you if they know that you’re usually quite trustworthy.
Also, review the following sample email to learn more about it:
Dear Miss Headcorn,
Unless given an update, you can expect to hear from me on Saturday.
For now, I’ll continue to work on your request.
Regards,
Albert Kingsnoth
Is It Correct to Say “Unless Otherwise Specified”?
Unless otherwise specified is correct to say in professional contexts.
It’s a great phrase that shows you want someone to do what you’ve told them. It also suggests that they should keep doing it unless they’re told to do something else.
Check out this email sample to learn more:
Dear Harold,
I want you to keep working on this project unless otherwise specified.
Do you have any questions that might help you to complete it?
Best wishes,
Dean Rogers
You can also change the word order of the phrase. Sometimes, it’s good to use unless specified otherwise to help you mix things up between different emails.
It still means the same thing, though. For instance:
Dear Michael,
Unless specified otherwise, I would like you to continue working on this.
Please let me know if you need any further assistance.
Regards,
Daniel Tomlinson
