When someone asks you a question you cannot answer immediately, the most professional and polite response is to say you will check and get back to them. The direct phrase “I will check and get back to you” is clear, but there are many more polished, courteous, and context-appropriate alternatives. This guide gives you the best options for emails, phone calls, meetings, and everyday workplace conversation, with the exact tone and nuance for each situation.
Quick Answer: The Best Polite Alternatives
If you need a polite, professional phrase right now, use one of these:
- For a formal email: “I will look into this and follow up with you shortly.”
- For a phone call or in-person conversation: “Let me confirm the details and get back to you.”
- For a casual workplace chat: “Let me check and I’ll let you know.”
- For a client or customer: “I will investigate this and update you as soon as I have the information.”
Why ‘I Will Check and Get Back to You’ Needs Polishing
The original phrase is not rude, but it can sound a little flat or rushed. In professional communication, you want to show that you are taking the request seriously and that you value the other person’s time. Polite alternatives add warmth, clarity, and professionalism. They also help you sound more confident and reliable.
Formal and Professional Alternatives (Best for Emails and Clients)
These phrases work well in written communication, especially when you are writing to a manager, a client, or someone you do not know well.
1. “I will look into this and follow up with you.”
Tone: Formal, professional, and reassuring. It suggests you will do a thorough investigation.
When to use it: In an email reply to a client or senior colleague who has asked a detailed question.
2. “I will investigate this and update you as soon as possible.”
Tone: Very formal and serious. It implies you are treating the matter with importance.
When to use it: When the question involves a problem, a complaint, or a complex issue that requires careful research.
3. “I will confirm the details and revert to you.”
Tone: Formal and common in British and international business English. “Revert” here means “reply” or “get back.”
When to use it: In written correspondence with colleagues or partners who use formal business language.
4. “I will review the information and provide an update.”
Tone: Professional and neutral. It sounds organized and systematic.
When to use it: When you need to check data, a report, or a document before answering.
Casual and Friendly Alternatives (Best for Conversations and Team Chats)
These are perfect for speaking with coworkers you know well, or in informal team meetings.
1. “Let me check and I’ll let you know.”
Tone: Friendly, direct, and natural. It is the most common casual alternative.
When to use it: In a quick conversation at your desk or during a coffee break.
2. “I’ll find out and come back to you.”
Tone: Warm and approachable. “Come back to you” is slightly more personal than “get back to you.”
When to use it: When a colleague asks a simple question and you need a moment to look it up.
3. “Give me a moment to check, and I’ll update you.”
Tone: Polite and considerate. It acknowledges the other person’s wait.
When to use it: During a live conversation or a video call when you need to open a file or search your notes.
Comparison Table: Tone and Context
| Phrase | Tone | Best For | Formality Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| I will look into this and follow up with you. | Professional, thorough | Emails to clients or managers | Formal |
| I will investigate this and update you as soon as possible. | Serious, careful | Complaints or complex issues | Very formal |
| I will confirm the details and revert to you. | Formal, business-like | International business correspondence | Formal |
| I will review the information and provide an update. | Systematic, neutral | Data or document checks | Formal |
| Let me check and I’ll let you know. | Friendly, direct | Casual workplace conversations | Informal |
| I’ll find out and come back to you. | Warm, personal | Quick questions from colleagues | Informal |
| Give me a moment to check, and I’ll update you. | Polite, considerate | Live calls or video meetings | Neutral |
Natural Examples in Context
Seeing these phrases in real situations helps you understand when and how to use them.
Example 1: Email to a Client
Situation: A client asks about the delivery date of an order.
Your reply: “Thank you for your inquiry. I will look into this and follow up with you by the end of the day.”
Example 2: Phone Call with a Manager
Situation: Your manager asks for the latest sales figures during a call.
Your reply: “I don’t have those numbers in front of me right now. Let me check and I’ll let you know in a few minutes.”
Example 3: Team Chat Message
Situation: A teammate asks if the meeting room is free at 3 PM.
Your reply: “I’m not sure. I’ll find out and come back to you.”
Example 4: Customer Service Email
Situation: A customer reports a billing error.
Your reply: “I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will investigate this and update you as soon as possible.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a polite phrase, small errors can make you sound less professional. Watch out for these.
Mistake 1: Saying “I will revert back to you.”
“Revert” already means “go back.” Adding “back” is redundant. Say “I will revert to you” or “I will get back to you.”
Mistake 2: Using “I will check and get back” without a time frame.
Leaving the other person waiting without any idea of when you will reply can feel frustrating. Add a simple time reference like “shortly,” “by the end of the day,” or “in a few hours.”
Mistake 3: Saying “I will try to check.”
“Try” sounds uncertain and less committed. Use “I will check” or “I will look into it” to sound more reliable.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to actually follow up.
This is not a language mistake, but it is a professional one. If you say you will get back to someone, make sure you do. If you are delayed, send a quick update to say you are still working on it.
Better Alternatives for Specific Situations
When you need more time
If you know the answer will take a while, be honest and set expectations.
- “This requires some research. I will get back to you by Friday.”
- “I need to check with the team. I will update you once I have their input.”
When you are in a meeting
During a meeting, you want to sound engaged without interrupting the flow.
- “I will note that down and follow up after the meeting.”
- “Let me confirm that and share the answer in the meeting notes.”
When you are speaking to a customer
Customers appreciate feeling heard and valued.
- “I will personally look into this for you and get back to you with an update.”
- “Thank you for your patience. I will check on this and contact you as soon as I have the information.”
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding with these four questions. Write your answers down or say them aloud.
Question 1: You receive an email from your boss asking for a report you have not finished. What is a polite, professional reply?
Answer: “I am still finalizing the report. I will review it and provide an update by the end of the day.”
Question 2: A coworker asks you a quick question about a project deadline during a coffee break. What do you say?
Answer: “Let me check my calendar and I’ll let you know.”
Question 3: A client complains about a service issue. How do you respond in an email?
Answer: “I am sorry to hear about this. I will investigate the issue and update you as soon as possible.”
Question 4: You are on a video call and someone asks for a number you do not have ready. What do you say?
Answer: “Give me a moment to check my notes, and I’ll update you right away.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it rude to say “I will check and get back to you”?
No, it is not rude. It is a clear and acceptable phrase. However, using a more polished alternative can make you sound more professional and considerate, especially in formal situations.
2. Should I always give a time frame when I say I will get back to someone?
It is a good practice. Even a vague time frame like “shortly” or “as soon as possible” helps manage expectations. If you can be specific, like “by 5 PM today,” that is even better.
3. Can I use these phrases in casual conversation with friends?
Some of the formal phrases, like “I will investigate this,” sound too serious for casual conversation. Stick to the friendly alternatives like “Let me check and I’ll let you know” for everyday use with friends.
4. What if I forget to follow up after saying I will get back to someone?
If you realize you forgot, send a quick apology and the information as soon as you can. For example: “I apologize for the delay. Here is the information you requested.” Honesty and a quick correction are always appreciated.
Final Tip for Real Use
Choose your phrase based on who you are talking to and the situation. For formal emails, use “look into” or “investigate.” For quick chats, use “let me check” or “I’ll find out.” The key is to sound confident, reliable, and respectful. Practice these alternatives in your daily work, and soon they will feel natural.
For more polite phrases for everyday work situations, visit our Polite Everyday Phrases section. If you have questions about this guide, please see our FAQ page or contact us.
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