Per our conversation vs. As per our conversation – Which is Correct?

While both phrases are used, “per our conversation” is the grammatically correct and preferred choice for conciseness and professionalism. “As per our conversation” is considered redundant and often seen as corporate jargon, though widely understood. Opt for “per” to maintain clear, efficient communication in most contexts.

Per our conversation or As per our conversation – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “per our conversation” and “as per our conversation” lies primarily in conciseness and formality. “Per our conversation” is the standard, more direct, and grammatically sound option. The word “per” itself means “in accordance with” or “according to,” making the addition of “as” redundant when used in this context. “As per” is often viewed as a corporate cliché or jargon, adding unnecessary words without enhancing meaning.

While “as per” is widely understood and used, particularly in business or legal settings, it is generally advised to avoid it in favor of the more economical and equally clear “per.” Using “per” demonstrates a command of precise language and avoids wordiness.

Similarly, mastering other common linguistic distinctions, like the proper use in Conversating vs. Conversing, further refines one’s professional communication.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of the “A” in “As per” as standing for “Avoid” or “Adds unnecessary words.” The word “per” already means “according to” or “in accordance with.” Therefore, adding “as” before “per” is like saying “as according to” – it’s simply redundant. Keep it simple and say just “per.”

Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Per our conversation	Prepositional phrase	According to our discussion; as discussed	Per our conversation, I’ve attached the revised proposal.
As per our conversation	Redundant phrase	According to our discussion (redundant “as”)	As per our conversation, the meeting is scheduled for 10 AM.

How to Use Per our conversation

“Per our conversation” is a concise and professional way to refer back to a previous discussion, meeting, or agreement. It’s widely accepted in both formal and informal business communications, emails, and reports. It conveys that the current action or statement is a direct result of, or in accordance with, what was previously discussed.

Tone: Formal, professional, concise, and efficient. It’s often used to provide context without being overly wordy.

Example 1: “Per our conversation yesterday, I have forwarded the documents to the legal department.”

Example 2: “We have adjusted the project timeline per our conversation during the team meeting.”

Example 3: “Per our conversation, the next steps include finalizing the budget and scheduling the kickoff.”

Etymology of the phrase Per our conversation

The word “per” comes from Latin, meaning “through,” “by means of,” or “according to.” It entered English in the late 15th century. Its use to mean “in accordance with” or “according to” became common, particularly in business and legal contexts, by the 19th century. The phrase “per our conversation” is a modern construction leveraging this established meaning of “per” to concisely reference prior discussions.

How to Use As per our conversation

“As per our conversation” means the same thing as “per our conversation” – that something is being done or stated in accordance with a previous discussion. However, it is generally considered redundant and less elegant by many style guides and language experts. The “as” adds no additional meaning and can make the phrase sound stilted or overly bureaucratic.

Tone: Often perceived as overly formal, jargonistic, or slightly archaic in modern professional writing. While understood, it lacks the crispness of “per our conversation.”

Example 1: “As per our conversation, the deadline for submissions is now Friday.” (Better: “Per our conversation, the deadline…”)

Example 2: “The revised proposal, as per our conversation, includes the updated figures.” (Better: “The revised proposal, per our conversation, includes…”)

Example 3: “As per our conversation, please ensure all team members are aware of the new policy.” (Better: “Per our conversation, please ensure…”)

Etymology of the phrase As per our conversation

The phrase “as per” emerged as a colloquialism, likely influenced by the common pairing of “as” with other prepositions (e.g., “as of,” “as to”). While “per” already means “according to,” the addition of “as” possibly aimed to emphasize the “in accordance with” aspect, or simply developed through common usage without strict grammatical adherence. Its widespread use in business communication in the 20th century cemented its presence, despite linguistic recommendations against its redundancy.

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify why “per our conversation” is preferred over “as per our conversation.”

• Redundancy: This refers to the use of words or phrases that add no new information and can often be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence. “As” in “as per” is a classic example of redundancy.
• Conciseness: The principle of conveying information clearly and effectively using the fewest possible words. Concise writing is generally preferred in professional and academic contexts for its clarity and efficiency.
• Prepositions: Words that link a noun, pronoun, or phrase to other words in a sentence. “Per” functions as a preposition meaning “according to” or “by means of.”

Examples from Media and Literature

While “as per our conversation” might occasionally appear in dialogue meant to convey a specific character’s speech pattern, “per our conversation” is far more common in formal writing and professional communication across various media.

• In a business email: “Per our conversation this morning, I’ve booked the conference room for Tuesday.“
• From a legal brief: “The defendant’s actions were taken per the terms outlined in the initial agreement.“
• In a corporate report: “Budget allocations have been adjusted per our executive committee’s decision on May 29, 2026.“
• A project manager’s update: “The development team has prioritized the critical bug fix per our conversation with the client.“

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. ________ our conversation, the revised proposal is attached.
2. Please proceed with the purchase ________ the agreed terms.
3. The changes to the policy were made ________ our discussion last week.
4. ________ our conversation, I’m sending you the updated contact list.
5. We will finalize the arrangements ________ your instructions.

Answer Key

1. Per
2. Per
3. Per
4. Per
5. Per

Per our conversation Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
As discussed	Referring to a previous discussion.
In accordance with our conversation	Following the terms or understanding reached in our talk.
Following our discussion	Subsequent to or as a result of our talk.
As agreed	In conformity with what was settled or decided.
Pursuant to our conversation	In accordance with, especially in a formal or legal context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “as per” always incorrect?
While not strictly “incorrect” in the sense of being unintelligible, “as per” is widely considered redundant and less formal than “per.” It is best to avoid it for clear, concise, and professional communication.

Question 2: Can I use “per” in casual conversation?
“Per” can be used in casual conversation, especially when referring to an agreement or plan. However, it maintains a slightly formal tone. For very casual contexts, phrases like “as we talked about” or “like we discussed” might be more natural.

Question 3: What are common alternatives to “per our conversation”?
Common alternatives include “as discussed,” “following our conversation,” “in accordance with our discussion,” or simply stating the action directly if the context is clear (e.g., “I’ve attached the proposal we talked about”).

Conclusion

When choosing between “per our conversation” and “as per our conversation,” the clearer, more concise, and grammatically preferred option is unequivocally “per our conversation.” While “as per” is understood, it introduces redundancy that can detract from the professionalism and efficiency of your communication. By opting for “per,” you demonstrate a strong command of language and a commitment to clarity.

Pro Tip: In professional communication, conciseness is a virtue. Choosing “per” over “as per” is a small but impactful way to enhance your message’s clarity and maintain a polished professional reputation.