Enhance your professional communication skills with 20 creative alternatives to “I Just Wanted to Follow Up.” Using polite email reminders and clear follow-up expressions ensures your emails are effective and engaging.
Whether you’re writing workplace follow-up emails or seeking updates, these phrases improve business communication tips and showcase professionalism. Avoid overused phrases by adopting alternative follow-up phrases that align with follow-up email etiquette. Strengthen effective email messaging by using varied expressions, such as “Touching base on” or “Reaching out about.”
These strategies ensure professional follow-up language that leaves a lasting impression while maintaining clarity. Stand out with follow-up conversation starters tailored for every scenario.
Why Diversify Your Follow-Up Language?
Rewriting “I just wanted to follow up” opens doors to effective email messaging and boosts the clarity of your intent. More importantly, it demonstrates respect for your recipient’s time while maintaining professionalism. Imagine writing to a client or manager; the way you phrase a follow-up can either encourage a prompt response or come across as dull and impersonal. Let’s explore alternative phrases that reflect your confidence and adaptability.
The Power of Thoughtful Follow-Ups
Whether you’re nurturing client relationships or seeking updates from a colleague, a carefully crafted follow-up email can be the difference between success and silence. Use polite email reminders that strike the right balance between persistence and professionalism. In this article, I’ll provide 20 polished alternatives to “I just wanted to follow up,” complete with scenarios to guide you.
Is It Professional to Say “I Just Wanted to Follow Up”?
Yes, but it’s overused. While the phrase is polite and clear, it lacks creativity and can sound overly formal in today’s dynamic business world. To stand out, try adopting alternative follow-up phrases that capture attention without sounding repetitive.
For instance, instead of “I just wanted to follow up on the proposal,” you could write:
“Touching base regarding the proposal we discussed last week please let me know if there’s anything else you need from my end.”
What to Say Instead of “I Just Wanted to Follow Up”
- Touching base on
- Following up on our previous conversation
- Checking in on
- Just checking to see where we stand on
- I wanted to see where we are with
- Inquiring about
- Seeing if there’s any update on
- Wanted to ask about the status of
- Reaching out about
- Just wanted to remind you about
- Circling back to
- Touching on our last exchange
- Following up to ensure clarity
- Looking to confirm
- Revisiting our prior discussion
- Touching base to check progress
- Following up to stay aligned
- Looking for feedback on
- Reconfirming next steps for
- Hoping for an update on
20 Polished Alternatives to “I Just Wanted to Follow Up”
Here are 20 Polished Alternatives to “I Just Wanted to Follow Up”:
1. Touching base on
This phrase is ideal for maintaining a light, conversational tone. It’s especially effective when your email doesn’t require urgent action.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Touching Base on the Marketing ProposalHi Sarah,
I hope this email finds you well. I’m touching base on the marketing proposal we submitted last week. Please let me know if you’d like us to provide additional details or revisions.
Best regards,
Alex
2. Following up on our previous conversation
This approach works well when referencing a specific discussion.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Following Up on Our Previous ConversationDear Mr. Taylor,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m following up on our previous conversation regarding the logistics for next month’s event. Could you share your feedback by Friday?
Warm regards,
Jessica
3. Checking in on
Use this phrase to request an update while keeping the tone neutral.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Checking in on the Delivery ScheduleHi John,
I wanted to check in on the delivery schedule for our recent order. Could you confirm the expected timeline?
Thanks in advance,
Emily
4. Just checking to see where we stand on
This option is direct yet courteous, ideal for high-priority updates.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Checking Status on the ContractHello Rachel,
I’m just checking to see where we stand on the contract review. Are there any updates or additional input needed from my side?
Best,
Daniel
5. I wanted to see where we are with
This phrase is helpful for keeping projects on track.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Following Up on the Budget ApprovalHi Greg,
I wanted to see where we are with the budget approval for the new project. Your input would help us finalize the timeline.
Thanks,
Karen
6. Inquiring about
This formal alternative works well for professional environments.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Inquiring About Your FeedbackDear Ms. Lee,
I’m inquiring about your feedback on the draft report I sent over last week. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Kind regards,
Michael
7. Seeing if there’s any update on
This phrase is perfect for situations requiring gentle persistence.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Any Updates on the Project Proposal?Hi David,
I’m seeing if there’s any update on the project proposal we submitted. Let me know if there’s anything I can clarify.
Thanks,
Sophia
8. Wanted to ask about the status of
This option works well when asking for specific progress updates.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Status of the IT RequestHello Martin,
I wanted to ask about the status of the IT request I submitted last week. I’d appreciate an update when you have a moment.
Best regards,
Lucy
9. Reaching out about
This phrase is professional yet friendly, suitable for client-focused emails.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Reaching Out About the Onboarding ProcessHi Jessica,
I’m reaching out about the onboarding process for your new team members. Let me know if there’s anything further I can assist with.
Warmly,
Ethan
10. Just wanted to remind you about
Use this phrase for deadlines or gentle nudges.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Reminder: Submission Deadline TomorrowHi Alex,
I just wanted to remind you about the submission deadline for the annual report. Let me know if you need extra time or support.
Thanks,
Rachel
11. Circling back to
This casual yet professional phrase works well when you’re revisiting an earlier conversation.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Circling Back to Our DiscussionHi Maria,
I’m circling back to our discussion from last week about the new client onboarding process. Let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide to assist you.
Best regards,
Andrew
12. Touching on our last exchange
This phrasing is perfect for referencing a previous email or discussion.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Update on Our Last ExchangeDear Thomas,
I’m touching on our last exchange regarding the hiring timeline for the project. Have there been any updates or changes we should be aware of?
Warm regards,
Rebecca
13. Following up to ensure clarity
This option highlights your intent to confirm understanding or next steps.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Following Up to Ensure ClarityHi Emily,
I’m following up to ensure clarity on the next steps for the product launch. If there’s anything else needed from my side, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Best,
Jason
14. Looking to confirm
This is a polite way to seek verification or approval.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Confirmation on Project BudgetHello Michelle,
I’m looking to confirm the project budget approval before we move forward. Let me know if there are any pending concerns.
Kind regards,
Adam
15. Revisiting our prior discussion
Use this phrase when bringing attention back to a previous topic.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Revisiting Our Prior DiscussionHi Samantha,
I’m revisiting our prior discussion about the vendor selection process. Have there been any new developments or decisions made?
Thanks,
Laura
16. Touching base to check progress
This phrase balances professionalism and a friendly tone while focusing on status.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Checking Progress on the ProposalHi Ben,
I’m touching base to check progress on the proposal we submitted last month. Please let me know if additional revisions are needed.
Warm regards,
Claire
17. Following up to stay aligned
This is ideal for maintaining a collaborative approach.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Staying Aligned on the Marketing CampaignDear John,
I’m following up to stay aligned on the marketing campaign timeline. Are we still on track for the planned launch date?
Best regards,
Nina
18. Looking for feedback on
This phrase is useful for requesting specific input.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Feedback on the Presentation DraftHi Steven,
I’m looking for feedback on the presentation draft I shared. Your thoughts would be invaluable as I finalize it for the board meeting.
Thanks,
Olivia
19. Reconfirming next steps for
Use this to ensure clarity and alignment on the path forward.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Reconfirming Next Steps for the PartnershipHi Angela,
I’m reconfirming next steps for the partnership agreement we discussed last week. Let me know if there’s anything else needed from our side before signing.
Kind regards,
Max
20. Hoping for an update on
This is a courteous and hopeful way to nudge for a response.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Update on the IT Upgrade RequestHello Robert,
I’m hoping for an update on the IT upgrade request we submitted. Please let me know if there’s anything you need from me to expedite the process.
Best,
Sophia
Pro Tips for Writing Effective Follow-Up Emails
- Clarity is key: Always specify what you’re following up on. Avoid vague statements.
- Timing matters: Give enough time for a response before sending a follow-up.
- Personalization improves response rates: Use the recipient’s name and reference past interactions.
- Politeness goes a long way: Incorporate polite email reminders to show consideration.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, mastering the art of professional follow-up language is essential for effective communication. By exploring alternative follow-up phrases to “I Just Wanted to Follow Up,” you can keep your emails fresh and engaging. Using polite email reminders and clear expressions helps maintain professionalism while ensuring clarity.
Whether you’re sending workplace follow-up emails or client communication, varying your language adds a personal touch and encourages prompt responses. Embrace these strategies to elevate your business communication tips and make every follow-up email impactful and memorable.
Emily Olivia is an experienced writer specializing in grammar and English language topics. With a passion for clarity and precision, she shares valuable insights on synonyms, grammar rules, and writing tips to help readers enhance their language skills on Grammar Path.