“At your earliest convenience” asks someone to complete a task as quickly as they can. It’s a good way of showing that something is urgent. It would be useful to know of some good synonyms that can work. This article will explore the best ones.
The preferred alternatives are “as soon as possible,” “as quickly as possible,” and “at the earliest opportunity.” These phrases are very polite, and they work well to show that you would like something done as soon as someone gets the chance to do it.
As Soon as Possible
“As soon as possible” is the best alternative you can use. It’s polite, and it works well in both formal emails and informal English. You can use it to show that something must be completed as “soon” as someone is able to get around to it.
This phrase usually lets someone know that you need something done. It creates a sense of urgency, which allows them to put more value on the task you set for them to get it done quickly.
- I need this as soon as possible. Is there any way that you’ll be able to get this done quickly to help me out with the situation?
- I need this on my desk as soon as possible. I can’t wait any longer. I need to make sure you’re working with me here.
- Is there anything you need from me to help you? I want this done as soon as possible. Do you think you’re going to be able to do that?
As Quickly As Possible
“As quickly as possible” is a great choice in many cases. You can replace “soon” from the last example with “quickly” to ask that someone gets something done as soon as they have a chance.
- You should do this as quickly as possible, please. I don’t have much time left before the deadline to hand it in.
- I want it done as quickly as possible. Please ensure everything is done and handed in before it’s too late. We need this win.
- She told me to do it as quickly as possible. I told her it wasn’t as simple as that, but she ignored my message.
At The Earliest Opportunity
“At the earliest opportunity” is a great way to remain polite in your writing. It’s common to see this phrase used in an email to ask someone to complete a task once they have the time to do so.
“Earliest opportunity” is used here to show that someone should get to work on something when they can. Once they have completed whatever they are currently working on, they must work on the task you set them.
- Can you do this at the earliest opportunity, please? I want to ensure that we’re on the same page before moving forward.
- At the earliest opportunity, can you please find a way for us to get through this? We need to make sure we know what comes next.
- It should be completed at the earliest opportunity. Do not sit on this for longer than you need to. Do you understand?
At Your Convenience
“At your convenience” is another great choice for a formal email. It shows that you appreciate that someone might be busy, but you still need them to get on with a task that was previously set.
- At your convenience, I’d appreciate an update on this. I need to know what’s happening before letting the shareholders know.
- I will need this at your convenience, I’m afraid. I don’t have much time left to wait. You have got to give me what I’m looking for.
- I thought you might be able to do this at your convenience. Did I underestimate you with that judgment call?
Whenever You Can
“Whenever you can” is another great alternative that accepts that someone has a busy day. “Whenever” is used here to show that you’d appreciate that they get around to it once they get the chance.
There isn’t time pressure on this one as much as on the others. It doesn’t state that something must be completed soon, but it is implied based on how the phrase is used.
- Can you please do this whenever you can? I’d like to see that you’ve put the work in and handed this in before the end of the day.
- Get around to it whenever you can. I don’t mind waiting for it, but it would be handy if you could speed it up slightly.
- Whenever you can, I need that file on my desk. I must get it soon. Please, make sure that it’s all sorted before you clock out.
When It Pleases You
“When it pleases you” is a polite way to ask someone to do something. It allows them to choose the appropriate time for them to get something done, as the time has to “please” them.
When time “pleases” someone, it means they have done everything else that they need to do in a day. They have found some extra time and decided to make the most of it by completing a task for you.
- I need all of this completed when it pleases you. Don’t expect me to be waiting around for too long. Could you help me here?
- If you could do all this when it pleases you, that would be great. I’ll let you know the deadlines when I know more.
- It needs to be done when it pleases you. It can’t be kept waiting until Friday, so make sure it’s done by then.
If You Don’t Mind
“If you don’t mind” is a good choice if you’re speaking to someone. It’s best to avoid writing this one, but it shows that you would like something to be done quickly as long as someone doesn’t “mind” doing it.
- If you don’t mind, could you please hurry this one along? Please get it completed on time before you do anything else.
- If you don’t mind, can you get to work on this? There are a few things that I need you to help me with once this is completed.
- I need it on my desk now, if you don’t mind. I don’t have much more time to waste on this. Can you get it done?
As Soon As You Get A Chance
“As soon as you get a chance” is a great way of showing that you need something completed. Once someone has “a chance,” you want them to get to work on the thing you’re asking about. It must be done quickly to account for this.
- As soon as you get a chance, can you please send the email to her? She needs to know the situation, and I want you to explain it.
- As soon as you get the chance, could you please help me out with this? I want to make sure that things go smoothly moving forward.
- I will need this done as soon as you get a chance. Don’t sit on this for too long. It is an urgent matter that you need to attend to.
ASAP
“ASAP” is the acronym for “as soon as possible.” You can use it in formal emails if you want to be concise and show that you’re waiting on something. You can also use “ASAP” in spoken English, pronounced as it is written.
- It must be done ASAP. I can’t keep being impatient with this. I want you to make sure everything is ready and on my desk by tonight.
- If you can’t do it ASAP, I might need to ask someone else for help. Sorry, but that seems to be my best option right now.
- I want it ASAP. I can’t keep waiting around for answers from them. Whatever it takes to get it done, please do it.
Expedite
“Expedite” is a great alternative that shows you need something to hurry along. It shows that something is very important, and you need whoever is in charge of the task to get it done before a deadline hits.
- Please expedite this task to show the boss that you’re working on it? He’s getting very angry with us.
- I’m going to need you to expedite this process. We don’t have much more time to waste. You’ve got to get this done quickly.
- Let’s expedite this before it becomes too much of a problem. I’ll let you know what else you need to do to complete the project.
Sharpish
“Sharpish” is a great way of showing that something must be completed quickly. It’s a colloquial term, so you’re more likely to hear it in spoken English rather than written English.
- I want this on my desk sharpish. I expect you to know what that means. Please, don’t make any more mistakes before handing it in.
- It needs to be done sharpish. The boss has instructed me to remind you that you have got to get on top of this for him.
- Can you do it sharpish? I don’t have long left now. I need to make sure this is all completed before the boss comes and asks for it.