9 Polite Ways to Say “Why Are You Asking?”

People tend to ask questions for specific reasons. And, sometimes, it’s worth asking people their reasons before answering anything or giving too many details away.

You could use “why are you asking?” But is it the best phrase to use in polite cases?

Luckily, this article has gathered the best synonyms showing you how to say “why are you asking?” politely.

• I would like to know why you’re asking
• What led to this question?
• What’s your reasoning behind this question?
• Could you share your reasons for asking?
• What prompted that question?
• What are your interests in this matter?
• Can I ask what sparked your curiosity?
• What led you to ask that particular question?
• Why did you ask something like that?

Keep reading to learn how to ask why politely in an email. We’ve also provided examples to help you with the alternatives.

1. I Would Like to Know Why You’re Asking

Instead of using a question like “why are you asking,” you can rephrase it into a statement. “I would like to know why you’re asking” is a great statement to use.

It’s formal and respectful, showing that you’re interested in someone’s reasoning behind asking.

We recommend using it to learn about someone’s intention.

It’s a good way to keep things polite with them. Also, “why are you asking?” sounds accusatory. This statement takes away that trait, making it more acceptable overall.

You can also review the following sample email:

Dear Mr. Scott,

I would like to know why you’re asking this question before I answer anything. I’m curious to hear from you.

All the best,
William Shaunter

2. What Led to This Question?

Another way to say “why are you asking?” is “what led to this question?” It’s a formal alternative, showing you’re interested in hearing why someone is asking you something.

You should use this if you want to know how to ask why in a professional way.

It’s great because it shows you’re interested in someone’s intentions before answering a question for them. That way, you can ensure they’re asking for the right reasons before responding.

Perhaps this email example will also help you with it:

Dear Jerry,

What led to this question? I’m confused as to why you think it’s an appropriate time to ask something like this.

Yours,
Mary-Beth Walters

3. What’s Your Reasoning Behind This Question?

For a slightly more direct question, you can ask “what’s your reasoning behind this question?” It’s great to use this if you’re trying to find out why someone is asking you something.

For instance, you can use it when emailing employees. It tends to work better when you have power over the email recipient.

We certainly recommend using it if you’re the boss. It remains formal and commanding, which shows you’re in control and won’t answer the question until you hear back from the recipient.

The following sample email should also help you with it:

Dear Russell,

What’s your reasoning behind this question? I’m not going to give you any answers until you can explain that.

Best regards,
Steven Redmayne

4. Could You Share Your Reasons for Asking?

“Could you share your reasons for asking?” is a polite way to say “why are you asking?” It’s a positive and honest question that shows you’d like to know someone’s reasons.

“Share your reasons” works well here. It shows you don’t want to antagonize the asker. Instead, you just want to understand why they’re asking before you provide any answers.

This works well when emailing employers. It shows you’d like to trust them with the answers, but you need to know why they’ve asked a question first.

You should also review this example:

Dear Miss Tyler,

Could you share your reasons for asking, please? I’d like to tell you more, but I need to know I can trust you.

Best,
Sam Stovell

5. What Prompted That Question?

For a more direct and formal question, try “what prompted that question?” It allows you to ask for someone’s reasons without being too long-winded or unconfident.

We recommend using this when asking why someone needs an answer. It’s a great way to figure out if it’s worth telling them what they want to hear.

For instance, it works well when emailing employees. It lets them know that you don’t understand why they’ve asked a question, but you’ll happily answer it if they can tell you what they expect.

The following example should also clear things up:

Dear Hillary,

What prompted that question? Did you speak to your peers to learn more about the situation?

Yours sincerely,
Mathew Redwood

6. What Are Your Interests in This Matter?

You never know what interests someone might have in the questions they ask. That’s why it’s always good to ask why people have questioned you in the first place.

“What are your interests in this matter?” is a great question to use.

It’s formal and respectful. So, it works well in an email when you’d like someone to explain why they’ve asked you a question (whether it’s simple or not).

We recommend trying it when emailing employees. It shows you don’t want to reveal any answers until you have a good understanding as to why they care.

We also recommend reviewing the following sample email:

Dear Craig,

What are your interests in this matter? So far, it doesn’t seem reasonable to discuss any more than I’ve already said.

All the best,
William Bendtner

7. Can I Ask What Sparked Your Curiosity?

You should ask “can I ask what sparked your curiosity?” It shows you’re interested in hearing someone’s reasoning before you answer any questions for them.

This is a great way to keep things civil and friendly. It shows you’re interested in hearing from someone because you’d like to know what led to their line of questioning.

Generally, this works best when emailing coworkers. It’s better suited to situations where you know the recipient well and understand they’re not asking for any malicious reasons.

You can also review the following example:

Hi Mike,

Can I ask what sparked your curiosity? Of course, I’m happy to share more, but I wonder why you asked.

Best,
Sophie Miller

8. What Led You to Ask That Particular Question?

“What led you to ask that particular question?” is a great formal alternative to “why are you asking?”

The inclusion of “particular” makes this question very potent. It shows you’re curious why someone has a specific question and whether it’s appropriate for you to give them an answer.

You can try it when working with clients. It shows you’re interested in how they found out about the topic and why the question they asked came up.

You should also review this example:

Dear Hazel,

What led you to ask that particular question? Did someone ask you to find out more about this?

All the best,
Joe Samson

9. Why Did You Ask Something Like That?

Try asking “why did you ask something like that?” in more friendly situations. It allows you to get to the bottom of why someone might have wanted to find out something.

Generally, this works when emailing coworkers. It shows you don’t quite trust their question and might need a bit more reassurance before you give them any real answers.

There’s nothing wrong with questioning someone’s intentions before answering them, after all. Most of your coworkers will be fine to explain why they’re asking before they expect a reply.

Review this example if you’re still unsure:

Dear Martin,

Why did you ask something like that? There must be a reason for it, and I need to know why you’re emailing me.

All the best,
Suzanna Boris

Is It Rude to Say “Why Are You Asking”?

It is not rude to ask “why are you asking?” It is a valid question that shows you’re interested in hearing the reason behind someone’s question.

However, it can be rude if you word it in a passive-aggressive or demanding way. You should avoid doing this, as it could antagonize the other party (even if they’re asking a simple question).

You can also use this variation:

• Why do you ask?

It’s very similar, but it comes across as a little more informal. You should use it more when you’re curious about why your friends might be asking you a question without sounding rude.