How to Say ‘I will check and get back to you’ at Work
When someone asks you a question at work and you don’t have the answer immediately, the most direct and professional way to respond is to say, “I will check and get back to you.” This phrase shows that you are taking responsibility, that you value accuracy over guessing, and that you respect the other person’s time by promising a follow-up. It works in emails, in meetings, on the phone, and in casual office conversations. The key is knowing how to adjust the wording for different situations and tones.
Quick Answer: What to Say Instead of “I don’t know”
If you need a fast, professional replacement for “I don’t know,” use one of these phrases depending on your situation:
- Formal email: “I will look into this and follow up with you shortly.”
- Casual conversation: “Let me check and get back to you.”
- On a call: “Let me verify that and come back to you.”
- In a meeting: “I’ll confirm the details and update you after the meeting.”
Each of these keeps you sounding capable and reliable without pretending to know something you don’t.
Understanding the Core Phrase: “I will check and get back to you”
This phrase is a staple in workplace English because it does three things at once: it acknowledges the question, it promises action, and it sets a clear expectation for a follow-up. Native speakers use it constantly, but learners sometimes struggle with the right tone or with making it sound natural in different contexts.
Formal vs. Informal Versions
The basic phrase can be adjusted to fit the formality of your workplace. Here is a quick comparison:
| Context | Phrase | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Formal email | “I will investigate this matter and revert to you.” | Writing to a client, senior manager, or external partner |
| Semi-formal email | “I’ll check and get back to you by end of day.” | Internal team communication, regular project updates |
| Casual conversation | “Let me check and I’ll let you know.” | Chatting with a colleague at your desk or in the break room |
| Urgent situation | “I’ll find out right now and come back to you.” | When the answer is needed quickly, like during a live call |
Natural Examples in Real Workplace Situations
Seeing the phrase used in realistic scenarios helps you understand the nuance. Here are five natural examples from different work settings:
- Email to a client: “Thank you for your question about the delivery timeline. I will check with our logistics team and get back to you before the end of the day.”
- During a team meeting: “That’s a good point about the budget. I don’t have the exact figure right now, but I’ll check and get back to you after lunch.”
- On a phone call with a supplier: “Let me verify the stock levels and call you back in ten minutes.”
- Slack message to a coworker: “Not sure about that file version. Let me check and get back to you.”
- In a performance review: “I need to look at the project data before I can answer that. I’ll check and get back to you tomorrow.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even advanced English learners sometimes make small errors with this phrase. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them:
- Mistake: “I will check and revert back to you.”
Fix: “Revert” already means “go back,” so “revert back” is redundant. Say “I will check and revert to you” or “I will check and get back to you.” - Mistake: “I will check and come back to you on that.”
Fix: This is acceptable in casual speech, but in writing, “get back to you” is more standard. Use “come back to you” only in very informal spoken English. - Mistake: “I will check and get back to you soon.” without a specific time.
Fix: Whenever possible, add a time frame: “by this afternoon,” “within an hour,” or “before the meeting ends.” This builds trust. - Mistake: Using “I will check” when you already know the answer.
Fix: Only use this phrase when you genuinely need to verify. If you already know, just answer directly.
Better Alternatives for Different Situations
Sometimes “I will check and get back to you” feels too generic. Here are stronger alternatives for specific contexts:
- When you need to research: “Let me research that and provide you with the details.”
- When you need to confirm with someone else: “I’ll confirm with the team and update you.”
- When you need to review documents: “Let me review the contract and get back to you with my findings.”
- When you want to sound more proactive: “I’ll look into this and come back with a solution.”
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Try these four questions to check if you can use the phrase correctly. Answers are below.
- Question 1: Your manager asks for a sales figure you don’t have. What do you say in a formal email?
Answer: “I will check the latest sales report and get back to you by the end of the day.” - Question 2: A colleague asks you a quick question at your desk. How do you respond casually?
Answer: “Let me check and I’ll let you know in a minute.” - Question 3: You are on a video call and someone asks about a deadline you are unsure of. What do you say?
Answer: “I don’t have that information right now, but I’ll check and get back to you before we finish the call.” - Question 4: You need to sound very professional in a written proposal response. What phrase works best?
Answer: “I will investigate this matter and revert to you with a detailed answer within 24 hours.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it rude to say “I will check and get back to you”?
No, it is not rude. In fact, it is considered polite and professional because it shows you are careful and want to give an accurate answer. The only time it might seem rude is if you say it and never actually follow up. Always keep your promise.
2. Can I use this phrase in an email subject line?
Yes, but it is better to be more specific. For example: “Re: Your question about the invoice – I will check and get back to you.” This tells the reader you have seen their message and are working on it.
3. What is the difference between “get back to you” and “revert to you”?
“Get back to you” is more common in everyday American and British English. “Revert to you” is more formal and is used more often in Indian English and some British business writing. Both are correct, but “get back to you” is safer for most international workplaces.
4. How do I follow up after saying I will check?
When you have the answer, simply say: “As promised, I checked on [topic] and here is what I found…” or “Following up on our earlier conversation, I have the information you requested.” This shows reliability and professionalism.
Final Tips for Using This Phrase at Work
To sound natural and confident, remember these three points. First, always add a time frame when you can. Saying “I’ll check and get back to you by 3 PM” is much better than a vague promise. Second, use the right level of formality for your audience. A client gets a more formal version; a close teammate gets a casual one. Third, actually follow up. Nothing damages trust faster than saying you will check and then never returning with an answer. If you keep these tips in mind, “I will check and get back to you” will become one of the most useful phrases in your workplace English toolkit.
For more everyday phrases that help you sound polite and professional, visit our Polite Everyday Phrases section. If you need help choosing between formal and casual language, check out Formal and Casual Versions. And for more workplace speaking tips, explore our Workplace Speaking Phrases category. You can also learn more about how we create our guides on our About Us page or see our FAQ for common questions.