“Do the needful”, “revert back”, “kindly”: Indian English phrases at work, and what to write instead
Indian English is a real, valid variety of English. These phrases are only a problem when your reader is in London, Sydney or Toronto and doesn't know them.
“Do the needful” means “please do what is necessary”. It is standard in Indian offices, but many colleagues abroad find it vague or old-fashioned, so write the exact action instead: “Please approve the invoice by Friday.” The same goes for “revert back” (write “reply”), “prepone” (write “move earlier”) and “out of station” (write “out of town” or “travelling”).
None of these phrases is “wrong”. Indian English has its own words and usage, just like British, American or Australian English. Prepone is in major dictionaries. But when you write to a client in the US or a manager in Germany, the goal is to be understood the first time. These are the phrases (often called Indianisms) that most often cause a second email asking “sorry, what do you mean?”.
1. “Please do the needful”
What it means in India: please take the necessary action.
Why it confuses: the reader has to guess what “the needful” is. Outside India the phrase sounds like 19th-century British English, because that's where it comes from.
- Instead of: Please find the report attached and do the needful.
- Write: Please review the report and send your approval by Thursday.
The fix is always the same: name the action and, if you can, the deadline.
2. “Revert back” and “revert”
What it means in India: reply, get back to someone.
Why it confuses: in British and American English, revert means “go back to an earlier state” (“the file reverted to the old version”). So “I will revert” can sound like “I'll undo something”. And back repeats the meaning of re-.
- Instead of: Kindly revert back at the earliest.
- Write: Could you reply by Wednesday? or I'll get back to you tomorrow.
3. “Kindly”
What it means in India: please, politely.
Why it confuses: it's polite and correct, so this one is about tone, not meaning. In some countries “kindly” at the start of a request sounds stiff or even impatient, as in “Kindly stop doing that.” “Please” is the neutral choice.
- Instead of: Kindly send the documents.
- Write: Could you please send the documents? or Please send the documents when you can.
If you're not sure how a request sounds, run it through a tone checker before you send.
4. “Prepone”
What it means in India: move to an earlier time, the opposite of postpone.
Why it confuses: it's a logical word, but many people outside South Asia have never seen it.
- Instead of: Can we prepone the call to 3 pm?
- Write: Can we move the call earlier, to 3 pm? or Can we bring the call forward to 3 pm? (British)
5. “Out of station”
What it means in India: away from your home city, travelling.
Why it confuses: a reader abroad may picture a train station. The phrase comes from old army and civil-service “stations”.
- Instead of: I will be out of station till Monday.
- Write: I'll be travelling until Monday or I'm out of town until Monday.
6. “I have a doubt”
What it means in India: I have a question.
Why it confuses: outside India, doubt means you think something may not be true. “I have a doubt about your report” sounds like you don't trust it.
- Instead of: I have a doubt regarding the new policy.
- Write: I have a question about the new policy.
7. “Today morning” and “yesterday night”
What it means: this morning, last night.
- Instead of: I sent it today morning. The server was down yesterday night.
- Write: I sent it this morning. The server was down last night.
8. “Please intimate” and “updation”
Intimate (to inform) is correct but rare and formal elsewhere, and it also has a very personal meaning. Updation isn't used outside India.
- Instead of: Please intimate us after the updation of the records.
- Write: Please let us know once the records are updated.
9. “Please send the same”
What it means: please send it (the thing just mentioned).
- Instead of: I have received the invoice and will process the same.
- Write: I have received the invoice and will process it.
10. “Myself Priya” and “passed out”
Two that show up in introductions:
- Instead of: Myself Priya, I passed out from Delhi University in 2022.
- Write: I'm Priya. I graduated from Delhi University in 2022.
Outside India, passed out means you fainted.
The whole email, before and after
A typical message that is perfectly clear to an Indian colleague:
Dear Sir, PFA the updated sheet. Kindly do the needful and revert back at the earliest. I will be out of station from tomorrow.
The same message for a colleague in another country:
Hi Mark, I've attached the updated sheet. Could you check the totals in column D and reply by Thursday? I'm travelling from tomorrow, so email is the best way to reach me. Thanks, Arjun
Notice what changed: a name instead of “Sir”, attached instead of PFA, one clear action, a real deadline. That's the whole trick. For more full emails you can copy, see how to write a formal email. For chat, see WhatsApp messages to your boss.
Quick reference
| Indian English | Clear for global readers |
|---|---|
| Do the needful | Name the action: “Please approve…” |
| Revert / revert back | Reply, get back to you |
| Kindly | Please, Could you… |
| Prepone | Move earlier, bring forward |
| Out of station | Out of town, travelling |
| I have a doubt | I have a question |
| Today morning | This morning |
| PFA | I've attached / Please see attached |
| The same | It, them |
Questions
What does “do the needful” mean?
It means “do what is necessary”. It is common in Indian offices and comes from older British English. Colleagues outside India may find it vague, so it's clearer to say exactly what you want done and by when.
Is “revert back” correct English?
In Indian English, revert means “reply”, and “revert back” is common. In British and American English, revert means “return to an earlier state”, and “back” repeats the meaning. For international readers, write “reply” or “get back to you”.
Is “prepone” a real word?
Yes. It appears in major dictionaries as Indian English for “move to an earlier time”. Many readers outside South Asia don't know it, so “move earlier” or “bring forward” is safer in international emails.
Are Indianisms wrong?
No. Indian English is a valid variety with its own vocabulary. The issue is only clarity: if your reader doesn't share the phrase, they may misunderstand it or have to ask. Use these phrases freely with Indian colleagues, and switch to the plainer version for international ones.
Is “kindly” rude?
Not in India, and not usually anywhere. But in some countries “Kindly…” at the start of a request can sound formal or slightly impatient. “Please” or “Could you…” is the neutral choice.
