Office workers say the phrase they find most unpleasant in work emails is “Just to be clear,” a survey found. The wording looks polite on the surface but can indirectly point to the other person’s mistake or lack of understanding, an analysis said, potentially increasing workplace stress.

On Oct. 30, Japanese media outlet Gigazine reported that email verification platform Zero Bounce conducted a survey of 2,000 office workers in the United States and Europe about phrases used in work emails.

In the survey, 52 percent of respondents rated “Just to be clear” as passive-aggressive. It also ranked first at 21 percent when respondents were asked to choose the single most passive-aggressive phrase among several options.

Passive-aggressive wording refers to a way of conveying dissatisfaction or criticism indirectly rather than openly. Even if it reads like a polite sentence, it can be taken as blame or pressure by the other person.

Next, “As previously discussed” and “Per my last email” tied for second place at 40 percent each. “For future reference” was 32 percent, and “Kindly note” was 31 percent.

Zero Bounce explained that such phrases give the impression the other person missed or misunderstood something that had already been communicated. It said they can be interpreted as a subtle reproach even without directly pointing out a mistake.

One notable finding was that workers often use phrases they find uncomfortable in their actual work. “Thanks in advance” was seen as passive-aggressive by 12 percent, but 37 percent said they use it frequently.

“Following up” was considered passive-aggressive by 8 percent, yet 34 percent said they use it often. “Any updates on this?” drew 30 percent for both responses that it is passive-aggressive and that it is frequently used.

The survey also identified phrases that trigger work stress. “Need this ASAP” ranked first, with 56 percent saying it increases stress or anxiety. “Can we chat?” was 40 percent and “Action required” was 34 percent.

By day of the week, 45 percent said Monday brings the greatest mental burden from work emails. Friday followed at 27 percent.

Zero Bounce stressed that email wording itself is not necessarily aggressive and that how it is received can vary depending on the relationship between sender and recipient and the context of the exchange.