“As discussed” points back to a conversation. It might introduce an accurate summary, an assumption about agreement or a detail somebody remembers differently. The phrase does not make the following statement automatically correct. You can check the record and clarify your understanding without accusing the sender of deliberately changing it.
Look for the action being attributed to the conversation. Did you agree to a deliverable, explore an option or say you would investigate? These are different commitments. If the email turns an option into a decision, correct that distinction early while keeping the reply focused on the work.
What you know
The sender is presenting the email as connected to an earlier conversation. You can compare the details with notes, calendar entries and your own recollection.
What you don’t know
You cannot know whether a mismatch is a memory difference, unclear wording or a deliberate change. You cannot assume every attendee understood the same thing.
Read the situation before guessing the tone.
Written summaries are useful because they make assumptions visible. Treat the email as an opportunity to confirm or correct a shared record. Quote the specific point that needs clarification rather than reopening every part of the meeting.
If the record affects costs, deadlines or responsibilities, correct it before work proceeds on a mistaken basis. A polite acknowledgement without clarification may leave others reasonably believing you accepted the summary.
Three ways the conversation could unfold.
Constructed examples. Change the facts, dates and commitments to match your situation.
01 / Your manager
Your manager
A discussion explored a deadline but did not settle it.
Their messageAs discussed, you’ll finish this by Tuesday.
A possible replyMy understanding was that we would check the dependencies before confirming Tuesday. I can give you a firm date after the supplier update tomorrow.
You distinguish an explored date from a confirmed commitment and offer the missing decision point.
02 / A colleague
A colleague
A teammate has accurately summarised a handover.
Their messageAs discussed, I’ll send the draft and you’ll review it.
A possible replyThat matches my notes. Send the draft by Wednesday and I can return comments on Thursday.
When the summary is right, confirm it and add any timing needed to make the handover workable.
03 / A client
A client
A client describes a proposed addition as included scope.
Their messageAs discussed, the extra page is part of the delivery.
A possible replyWe discussed that option, but it is not included in the current scope. I can send an estimate for adding it before we confirm the schedule.
Refer to the actual agreement. Do not approve a scope or pricing change unless you have authority to do so.
Choose one useful next step.
Identify the exact difference
Write down the sentence that does not match your understanding. Separate that issue from how confidently the email is worded.
State your understanding
Use “My understanding was…” and include a concrete detail. You can be open to correction without giving up an important factual boundary.
Confirm the revised record
After clarification, agree an action, owner and date. A short updated summary is more useful than leaving two conflicting versions in the thread.
You can accept the parts of a summary that are accurate and correct the part that is not. Being precise about an agreement protects both sides from preventable confusion. If there is an ongoing dispute about responsibilities, use the relevant workplace process and retain the factual correspondence.