You may have come across the phrase including but not limited to at work or when reading formal texts. But is this phrase suitable to use in email correspondence at work?
In this article, we’ll address that question. Moreover, we’ll provide 10 synonyms for this phrase that you can use in your email exchanges.
10 Alternative Ways to Say “Including But Not Limited to”
Check out these 10 different ways to say including but not limited to at work:
- Including
- For instance
- Some potential options are
- Such as
- In this case
- Among other things
- In addition to
- As well as
- Together with
- Along with
1. Including
Although the phrase including but not limited to keeps things as precise as possible in legal and academic texts such as essays, the word including already implies that you are about to make an open list.
Therefore, in an email to a colleague or client, it won’t be necessary to add but not limited to, as they will likely assume that there are more possible options than those listed in your message.
For example:
Dear Gabriel,
I have sent a number of potential sources to help you with your research, including a memorandum from a former employee on the same topic.
I hope that helps!
All the best,
Astrid
2. For Instance
For instance is essentially another way to say “as an example.” Therefore, you can use this phrase to give some suggestions while making it clear that there are more potential options available.
This phrase is very tonally neutral but suitable to use in an explanatory email to a colleague. It works well if you don’t know this particular coworker very well and want to maintain a professional register in your email exchanges.
Have a look at how we’ve used this phrase in a sample email:
Dear Allister,
There are a number of ways that you can present this research.
For instance, a graph with double bars would allow you to make a comparison between our younger and older clients.
Regards,
Lerato
3. Some Potential Options Are
Another good synonym for including but not limited to is some potential options are.
This phrase is very clear and direct. This makes it ideal for an email to your boss or another superior if they have asked a question or asked you to research a topic.
Some potential options are makes it obvious that you are listing just a few of a wider range of choices. Generally, you will put forward what you believe are the best courses of action. However, this phrase leaves some room for you to provide additional information if asked for more.
Consider the following email example:
Dear Ms. Romanov,
I have looked into your question.
Some potential options are to resubmit the application after waiting three months or start a new one with a different company name.
Sincerely,
Kaden Harves
4. Such as
You can use such as as another way to begin an open list of options. This phrase implies that you are providing only some of the multiple choices available to you, much like the original phrase.
You can use such as in an email to a client in response to their query. It allows you to present a multitude of potential solutions to their issue and maintains a suitably formal tone.
See the following email sample:
Dear Mr. Molefe,
We have a number of routes for you to earn interest on your funds, such as our fixed savings account or our more flexible savings accounts with lower rates.
I have attached a document setting out each of these options below for you to consider.
Kind regards,
Annalise Rey
5. In This Case
The phrase in this case implies that the option you are suggesting is context-specific and may not suit a different context. In other words, there may be alternative options available, but you believe that this option suits your present circumstances the most.
Although this phrase is not informal by any means, it can come across as a tad more casual than some of the other synonyms on our list.
Therefore, it may not suit highly formal legal or business texts. However, it is perfectly suitable in an email to a colleague, especially if you have a close relationship and a friendly rapport in your email exchanges.
Have a look at the example below:
Hi Cory,
I think we should go with a redistribution plan in this case, but there are some other choices available if you would like to discuss this further.
Best,
Gabbie
6. Among Other Things
Another way to say including but not limited to when presenting a list of options is to simply end off the list with the phrase among other things.
This phrase comes across rather formally and can be used in business emails to clients. It simply shows that any suggestions you make are not the be-all and end-all, which leaves room for further discussion.
Check out the email example below:
Dear Miss Ackerman,
We offer business counseling and tax advice, among other things.
If you would like a quote for our various services, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Mark Morland
7. In Addition to
You can start or end off a list of options with the phrase in addition to. This phrase is not the most direct synonym for including but not limited to since it can be used to introduce a closed list of options.
However, it still allows you to introduce a range of options to a client and comes across as suitably formal and professional for a corporate setting.
Therefore, let’s see a sample email that includes this phrase:
Dear Ms. Zuckerberg,
In addition to our range of client support procedures, we offer a comprehensive training course for small businesses in the corporate realm.
If this would be of interest to you, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Maria Cortez
8. As Well as
As well as comes across a tad less formally than some of the other synonyms on our list. However, it would be suitable to use this phrase in an email to a coworker, even if you aren’t particularly close.
It is a very plain and direct phrase, which works well in a fast-paced office environment. After all, if everyone is very busy, it’s probably best to get to the point and speak plainly!
See how we’ve used this phrase in an email sample:
Dear Jackie,
I’ve attached a letter from the client, as well as their account details.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Regards,
Eric
9. Together With
Together with is a fairly straightforward and casual alternative including but not limited to that you can use in an email to a colleague. It is not a direct synonym since it usually applies to a fixed number of options, however.
If you have a fairly friendly dynamic in your office, you can do away with wordy email etiquette and get straight to the point. Moreover, like the original phrase, this phrase lets the receiver know that the suggestion you are providing is an addition to others.
For instance:
Hi Jordan,
I can provide a spreadsheet of our current clients together with some information about each of them.
Let me know if that would help.
All the best,
Lacy
10. Along With
Unlike the phrase above, along with is a good synonym for including but not limited to since it can be used in an open list of options.
This phrase comes across a tad informally, so you should use a more professional alternative in your emails to clients or superiors. However, it works perfectly fine in a more casual email to a colleague.
See the email example below:
Hi Darren,
Along with the trust account, Mr. Lounds would like to set up a charitable fund for his daughter’s NGO.
Would that be possible?
Regards,
Dolly
Is It Correct to Say “Including But Not Limited to”?
The phrase including but not limited to is correct and suitable to use in an explanatory note or email at work.
Moreover, its level of formality makes it suitable for correspondence with a colleague, a superior, or a client, whatever the size or nature of your organization.
In fact, this phrase is commonly used in legal documents or academic writing of a technical nature.
Therefore, let’s see how you can use this phrase in a couple of email examples:
Dear Miss Barnes,
I have provided a list of potential solutions to your query, including, but not limited to, a reboot of the system.
Have a look at my suggestions and let me know how you would like to proceed.
Regards,
Orlo Grigory
Dear Mr. Petrice,
Our arrangements include, but are not limited to, indigenous flowers from the region.
I have attached a pamphlet for you to peruse.
Sincerely,
Olivia Marx
Next, we’ll consider whether it is necessary to use commas in the phrase including but not limited to.
Should I add commas in including but not limited to?
- Correct: Including, but not limited to, X.
- Suitable: Including but not limited to X.
Technically, you should place a comma after including and to to be most precise in your writing. However, many American style guides note that, while commas are preferred, they are not necessary.
So, we know that including but not limited to is a correct phrase frequently used in legal, business, and academic writing. However, this phrase may be unnecessarily wordy and even a tad standardized.
Therefore, to mix up your language in your work correspondence, you can use one of the synonyms for including but not limited to from our list.
