A closer look at “‘Just to be clear’ tops list of most passive-aggressive email phrases, survey finds”, exactly as the source publishes it. A recent survey by email verification company ZeroBounce has identified the most loathed passive-aggressive phrases in workplace emails, with “just to be clear” taking the top spot at 52%. The phrase edged out longtime favorites “per my last email” and “as previously discussed,” which tied at 40% ea The Guardian Lifestyle Oct 31, 2026 • 5:00 AM
The phrase edged out longtime favorites “per my last email” and “as previously discussed,” which tied at 40% each. Other offenders included “for future reference” and “kindly note,” the latter evoking the tone of a stern kitchen notice about microwave abuse. These phrases often signal underlying frustration or a desire to assert dominance in digital communication, making them a source of dread for many office workers. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.