Why do people write 'please find attached'?

What it means: "I have attached a file to this email." It's a formal way of drawing attention to an attachment.

Why it sounds strange: "Find" implies a search — but the file is right there. The phrase is a relic of formal letter-writing conventions that predate email. In letters, "please find enclosed" meant "look for the enclosed document." Email retained the phrasing without the logic.

Is it wrong? No. It's formal and understood. But many communication experts argue it's unnecessarily stiff.

• "I've attached the report." — direct, clear
• "Attached is the proposal." — formal but natural
• "Please see the attached document." — still formal, less old-fashioned
• "Here's the file." — casual

Rule of thumb: Match your formality to the relationship. With a long-term colleague, "I've attached it" is fine. For a formal client communication, "please see the attached" is appropriate.

Tags: business writing, email, formal English, professional communication