Word Choice – No Later Than
Delores’ question: “In many of our communications, we need to specify a response within a certain timeframe. The format currently being used is ‘Please confirm your attendance by no later than (date).’ Could you also write ‘Please confirm your attendance by (date)’?”
BizWritingTip response: Both versions are correct. It all depends on the tone you want to create.
“By no later than” indicates any time up to and including that date. It is a more formal type of speech and emphasizes you are quite serious about your request. Some readers find it dictatorial. It works well in legal situations or when a non-response within a critical timeframe could have dire results.
Simply stating “by March 1” indicates any time up until that date but is a little vague on whether the date is also included. It is a much softer approach. As today’s business readers are often overly sensitive, I prefer this technique in regular correspondence. But I do enforce the deadline with a reason for my request. That way I am treating my reader as a team player – not as a child.
Example
The restaurant requires us to commit to the number of people staying for dinner. Therefore, please confirm your attendance by Friday.
The response points out that simply stating “by March 1” indicates any time up until that date but is a little vague on whether the date is also included. Is it appropriate to state “before close of business on March 1” to clarify the deadline?