Better ways to say “there's room for improvement”

Say this instead

1. 01

   Thanks for the draft. Before it goes out, please tighten the summary and recheck the figures on page 3. Can we go through it together tomorrow?

   Someone you manage · Email

   Use it when you manage the person, since it names two fixes and a next step that make the feedback easy to act on.

   Use for my message
   Copy
2. 02

   The data in the slides is solid, but the flow is hard to follow. Could we swap sections 2 and 3 and cut some of the detail?

   Coworker · Chat

   Peers will appreciate that it separates what is fine from what needs changing and suggests a concrete fix.

   Use for my message
   Copy
3. 03

   I don't think the plan is ready yet. The timeline and budget sections need more detail before we present it. I can rework them by Thursday if that works.

   Boss · Email

   Choose it when work isn't ready and you want to avoid blame, because it also gives your boss a date.

   Use for my message
   Copy
4. 04

   Thanks for the brief. A few parts need more work to match the goals we agreed, mainly the target audience and how we measure success. Can we talk this week?

   Client · Email

   Polite but firm, it points to the agreed goals rather than personal taste.

   Use for my message
   Copy
5. 05

   Read your report. The structure is good, but the conclusions need more evidence. Can we go through it at 10 tomorrow?

   Someone you manage · SMS

   A quick private nudge suits moments when email feels too formal and you want a short follow-up talk.

   Use for my message
   Copy
6. 06

   Can I share some feedback on onboarding? It works, but new joiners are missing key information in week one. I have a few ideas for fixing that.

   Boss · Chat

   Raising a problem upward feels less critical here because you offer to help solve it.

   Use for my message
   Copy
7. 07

   The interview process has been hard to follow so far. Could you send the remaining steps and the expected timeline in writing?

   Recruiter / HR · Email

   Pointing out a weak process works well when you pair it with a request for the exact information you need.

   Use for my message
   Copy
8. 08

   Your section needs a few changes before we send it: the numbers on p.4 don't match the summary. Can you fix them by 3pm?

   Coworker · SMS

   Close deadlines call for this one, since it asks for a single clear fix instead of a general critique.

   Use for my message
   Copy

Examples

What to avoid

• Vague words like “better” or “more polished” leave the reader guessing unless you say what exactly should change.
• Wrapping the point in too much praise can bury the real request.
• Feedback about the person (“you're careless”) backfires, so describe the work and the fix instead.
• Feedback without a next step or deadline tends to go nowhere.

Related phrases

• A kinder way to say “you're being sarcastic”→
• “You're too slow”: how to say it politely→
• “Soften your approach”: how to say it politely→
• Better ways to say “this needs improvement”→
• Better ways to say “let's get on the same page”→
• Better ways to say “did I get the job”→