Official letters · Arthur translates
What does “further action” mean in a letter?
“The warning has arrived. The explanation is running late.” — Arthur
Original
“Failure to respond may result in further action.”
Plain English
“Please reply by the date shown. If you do not, we may take the next step described in this letter.”
What the wording leaves out
It means the sender may do something else if you do not respond. The words do not tell you what that step is; the rest of the letter should.
What to check
Find the deadline and the action requested. If the consequence is unclear, ask the sender to explain it before the deadline.
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