Recently, I talked to a native speaker about the proper usage of the word “kindly”.
I frequently use phrases like “kindly let us know whether you agree with the suggested approach” in business letters to clients.
However, my American friend now pointed out to me that he felt “offended” by this sentence since he found it rather patronizing.
I was quite baffled – of course, my intentions in using that wording are entirely different, and I always thought I was humbling myself when using this phrase…
But he also thought it was quite impertinent to actively demand a reply by using this phrase.
I am rather confused now. Is this an assessment shared by other native speakers?
Best Answer
'Kindly' = 'please' in this usage; it's a hedging pragmatic marker.
However,
comes across as an instruction or even an order.
(still not needing a question mark) contains sufficient hedging for all but the most cantankerous.