A client wrote to me and ended his email with this line:
If I don't talk to you beforehand, I hope you have a very happy,
healthy and safe holiday!
It seems to me that this expression is for giving a heads-up of information to someone when you think you might forget or fail to do so in the future,
but I need a second opinion on that.
I found some other examples with the same expression over the Internet:
(2) If I don't talk to you beforehand, I'll see you in the morning.
(3) If I don't talk to you beforehand, I'll pick you up at your
sister's at seven.
Could somebody enlighten me on the exact meaning of this expression? When and why would you use it? Or is there another way to express "If I don't talk to you beforehand," in the same connotation?
Best Answer
It merely reflects that someone is doing something somewhat earlier than expected because there may not be another opportunity to do so conveniently.
If you do not communicate with your client daily, he may give you a holiday greeting more than a week before Christmas. Your client probably will not have an opportunity to say “Merry Christmas” to you on Christmas morning.
It does not imply forgetfulness or failure, but shows consideration and knowledge of the uncertainty of the future.