10 Better Ways to Say “I Just Wanted to Follow Up” on Email

If you’re waiting on someone’s reply by email, you might be familiar with using the phrase “I just wanted to follow up.” However, there are better alternatives out there.

Here’s what to say instead of “I just wanted to follow up” in an email:

• Where are we with
• Do you have any updates on
• What’s going on with
• Has there been any progress on
• Do you need any support from me on
• How is it coming along?
• Can we schedule a follow-up on
• I’m just checking in to see if
• How are things coming?
• Anything I can help with on

In the rest of the article, we’ll explain how to use each of the alternatives by providing email samples. Lastly, we’ll show you how to use “I just wanted to follow up” in your emails.

1. Where Are We With

“Where are we with” works well when we want to write a follow-up to know what’s going on.

If we haven’t been updated for a while, it’s a good idea to send an email containing this phrase to let somebody know that you expected a reply from them a while ago on your previous email.

While we do not use “where are we with” to tell people off, the implication is that we expected an update sooner. Therefore, that could push someone to update us much quicker than they would have if we said nothing.

Lastly, the following email examples will help you understand this one:

Dear Stu,

Where are we with the report? I expected it on my desk last night but have yet to receive anything from you.

Thank you,
Missy Winter

Dear All,

Where are we with the team cohesion exercises? I need to find out where the morale problems lie.

Kind regards,
Mr. Donkey

2. Do You Have Any Updates On

“Do you have any updates on” is one of the more popular choices on our list with alternatives to “I just wanted to follow up.”

Hence, we can use it to simply ask for status updates, and it’s most effective if you’re a boss who wants to learn more about the current projects undertaken by your staff.

Now, take a look at these follow-up email examples to see how this alternative works:

Dear Christina,

Do you have any updates on the matter at hand? I need to know what’s going on before taking the next steps.

Thank you,
Sam Retch

Dear Mr. Sir,

Do you have any updates on this problem? I would have thought that the IT department would have it fixed by now.

Let me know when you get a chance,
Miss Zotto

3. What’s Going On With

“What’s going on with” is a simple way to ask someone to follow up on a project.

Furthermore, when we use “going on” in this manner, we’re asking for more information about the current proceedings.

Finally, you might benefit from looking into the following follow-up email samples:

Hi Mike,

What’s going on with the mission at the moment? I feel like we haven’t communicated for a while.

Kind regards,
Evangeline Button

Hello Bruce,

What’s going on with the status report? I haven’t seen any updates from through, and I haven’t heard from you about it yet.

Just checking in for some updates,
Mr. Streatham

4. Has There Been Any Progress On

“Has there been any progress on” works well if you want to follow up and ask for direct work updates.

In general, we can start an email with this when we want to know whether someone has anything more to report. If they do not, they can let us know in a follow-up email (and explain what’s taking so long). Maybe they missed your last email.

Lastly, here are some helpful follow-up email examples you can rely on to teach you how to use it:

Dear All,

Has there been any progress on the report yet, or are you all still waiting for more information?

Kind regards,
Kimberly

Dear Terry,

Has there been any progress on the project that you’d care to share with me?

Thank you for your time,
Mrs. Walkins

5. Do You Need Any Support From Me On

“Do you need any support from me on” asks for an update while also being supportive and friendly.

If someone is stuck on a project, it might be useful to offer them support. That could speed up the process and give you valuable insights into the progress itself.

Of course, you could be turned down for the support. Even if they do not need your help, it’s likely that they’ll at least give you a status update on matters to show you why your support is unnecessary. That’s why it works both ways.

Lastly, check out some of these email samples to see how it works:

Dear Sir,

Do you need any support from me on the matters we discussed earlier? I have plenty of skills that could be useful in this situation.

Kind regards,
George Sorrow

To Henrietta,

Do you need any support from me on the project? I’m free to help out wherever I’m needed.

Let me know what I can do,
Mr. Horace

6. How Is It Coming Along?

“How is it coming along” works well in a follow-up email as another way of saying “I just wanted to follow up.”

Moreover, we can replace “it” with whatever the thing is that we want updates on.

Furthermore, we can use this phrase when we want to find out more about the current situation. Moreover, it’s especially effective if we’ve been out of the loop for a while.

Lastly, this phrase can work really well in follow-up emails like so:

To Jackson,

How is the project coming along? I would like to know how you’re getting on with it and whether you need help.

Kind regards,
Susanna

To Mrs. Fredrickson,

How is it all coming along? I notice you have been quite busy with the issues lately, and I’m here to offer my services.

Best wishes,
John & Johnson Co.

7. Can We Schedule a Follow Up On

Instead of saying “I just wanted to follow up,” you can say “can we schedule a follow-up on.”

This alternative works well when we want to set up a meeting to discuss matters.

It usually means that we don’t expect any updates in the email reply, but we want to meet with them in person before we make any final decisions about what’s going on.

Furthermore, it’s good to set up meetings instead of receiving emails in most cases. Meetings are more professional, and it’s easier to get all your points across without anything being lost in a digital email format.

Finally, take a look at the following email samples to find out more about it:

Hey Craig,

Can we schedule a follow-up on the project at some point this week? I’m keen to hear about your progress.

Thank you for your time,
Sarah

To Mr. Dinners,

Can we schedule a follow-up whenever you’re next free? I’d love to discuss your progress so far.

Thank you,
Mrs. Firestorm

8. I’m Just Checking In to See If

“I’m just checking to see if” is a calm and polite alternative to “I just wanted to follow up.”

Moreover, we might also be able to use it when we want to offer some assistance to the person we are emailing. Usually, they’ll be happy to reply shortly after you send it.

Lastly, the following email examples should teach you all you need to know:

Dear Juliette,

I’m just checking in to see if I can do anything to help you with this issue.

Please keep me updated,
Mrs. Romero

Dear Melissa,

I’m just checking in to see if I can help. I notice you have not kept me updated over the last week.

I hope all is well,
Mr. Borrowmore

9. How Are Things Coming?

“How are things coming” is a good way to ask how something is getting completed.

Updates are important in business settings, especially if you have a managerial position. That’s why we might use this phrase to ask how certain projects are unfolding.

Lastly, you can see it in the following email samples to check how it works:

Dear Sam,

How are things coming with the project? I’ll be happy to help you if you’ve managed to come across any issues.

Thank you,
Simone Woodbridge

Dear Mr. Dean,

How are things coming? I haven’t heard from you for a little while, so I thought I’d check to see if you’re doing okay.

Kind regards,
Mr. Warren

10. Anything I Can Help With On

“Anything I can help with on” works well as a way to politely ask for a follow-up.

Therefore, we can use this to ask for an update, but it’s also a good way for us to offer our support should the other person need it. Usually, we only send it to ask if anything is wrong.

Finally, these follow-up email examples should help you to make sense of it:

Dear Jack,

Anything I can help with on the topic that you requested? I’m happy to be of service.

Kind regards,
Mr. Michaels

Dear Mr. Tomkins,

Is there anything I can help with on the matter? I notice you haven’t sent me any follow-up emails yet.

Please inform me when you get a moment,
Mrs. Samuelson

How to Use “I Just Wanted to Follow Up” in an Email

You’ve seen the best ways to say “I just wanted to follow up.” So, it’s time to look at how to write a follow-up email with the phrase.

“I just wanted to follow up” allows you to send a follow-up email politely. It’s a fairly professional phrase showing that you have something new to add.

Generally, there are two other variations you can use:

• I wanted to follow up
• I just want to follow up

Removing “just” allows you to sound formal and respectful. So, “I wanted to follow up” is a good choice in a business setting.

“I just want to follow up” is synonymous with “I just wanted to follow up.” You can use either phrase to mix up your writing.

Here are some examples of how to send a follow-up email:

Dear Hansen,

I just wanted to follow up on my previous email. Have you figured out the best course of action?

Yours,
Damien

Dear Ms. Catford,

I just wanted to follow up with you regarding the business at hand. Do you have anything to tell me?

All the best,
Mr. O’Connor

Dear Jerry,

I just wanted to follow up in case you missed my last email. Is there anything I can help you with?

Yours,
Richelle

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