Introduction
Following up is a routine yet crucial part of professional communication. Whether you’re checking on an unanswered email, reminding someone about a task, or requesting an update, the phrase “I just wanted to follow up” is commonly used. While polite and effective, it can quickly become repetitive or sound overly casual especially in formal or business settings. Choosing well-crafted alternatives helps your message sound more confident, professional, and intentional without seeming pushy. It also allows you to match your tone to the situation, whether you’re emailing a client, manager, colleague, or potential partner.
What Does “I Just Wanted to Follow Up” Mean?
“I just wanted to follow up” is a polite phrase used to check the status of a previous message, request, or conversation.
It signals a reminder or request for an update while aiming to sound courteous and non-intrusive.
When to Use It
This phrase or its alternatives are appropriate in:
- Professional and business emails
- Client or customer follow-ups
- Job applications and interviews
- Project updates and reminders
Examples:
- I just wanted to follow up on my previous email.
- I’m following up regarding our last discussion.
Is It Polite or Professional?
Yes, it’s polite and widely accepted.
However, more direct or refined alternatives often sound more confident, professional, and purposeful—especially in formal correspondence.
35+ Other Ways to Say “I Just Wanted to Follow Up”
1. I’m following up on my previous message
Meaning: Checking status
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m following up on my previous message regarding the proposal.
Explanation: Clear and direct.
2. I wanted to check in
Meaning: Gentle reminder
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: I wanted to check in and see if you had any updates.
Explanation: Soft and approachable.
3. I’m reaching out to follow up
Meaning: Professional check-in
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m reaching out to follow up on our conversation.
Explanation: Neutral and polite.
4. I’m writing to follow up
Meaning: Formal reminder
Tone: Formal
Example: I’m writing to follow up on the request below.
Explanation: Suitable for business emails.
5. I wanted to revisit our previous discussion
Meaning: Referring back
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to revisit our previous discussion.
Explanation: Thoughtful and respectful.
6. Just checking back regarding this matter
Meaning: Casual reminder
Tone: Casual-professional
Example: Just checking back regarding this matter.
Explanation: Light and non-pushy.
7. I’m checking in for an update
Meaning: Update request
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m checking in for an update on the timeline.
Explanation: Straightforward.
8. I wanted to touch base
Meaning: Friendly follow-up
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: I wanted to touch base about next steps.
Explanation: Common workplace phrase.
9. Following up on the below
Meaning: Direct reference
Tone: Professional
Example: Following up on the below email.
Explanation: Concise and clear.
10. I’m circling back on this
Meaning: Returning to topic
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m circling back on this to see if there’s progress.
Explanation: Modern business tone.
11. I wanted to follow up on our last conversation
Meaning: Conversation reference
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to follow up on our last conversation.
Explanation: Context-specific.
12. I’m checking back to see if you need anything
Meaning: Supportive follow-up
Tone: Warm-professional
Example: I’m checking back to see if you need anything further.
Explanation: Service-oriented.
13. I wanted to inquire about the status
Meaning: Formal status check
Tone: Formal
Example: I wanted to inquire about the status of my application.
Explanation: Polite and precise.
14. I’m following up for an update
Meaning: Update-focused
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m following up for an update on the project.
Explanation: Clear intent.
15. I wanted to see if there were any updates
Meaning: Gentle inquiry
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to see if there were any updates.
Explanation: Non-demanding tone.
16. I’m reaching out regarding my previous email
Meaning: Email reference
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m reaching out regarding my previous email.
Explanation: Clear and respectful.
17. I wanted to check the status of this
Meaning: Status-focused
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to check the status of this request.
Explanation: Efficient phrasing.
18. I’m following up to see how things are progressing
Meaning: Progress check
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m following up to see how things are progressing.
Explanation: Encouraging tone.
19. I wanted to reconnect on this topic
Meaning: Renewing discussion
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to reconnect on this topic.
Explanation: Relationship-friendly.
20. I’m checking in regarding next steps
Meaning: Action-focused
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m checking in regarding next steps.
Explanation: Forward-looking.
21. I wanted to ensure you received my message
Meaning: Delivery check
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to ensure you received my message.
Explanation: Polite clarification.
22. I’m following up as discussed
Meaning: Prior agreement
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m following up as discussed in our meeting.
Explanation: Context-aware.
23. I wanted to briefly follow up
Meaning: Soft reminder
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to briefly follow up on this.
Explanation: Minimizes pressure.
24. I’m reaching out to check the status
Meaning: Neutral inquiry
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m reaching out to check the status of the request.
Explanation: Clean and professional.
25. I wanted to follow up regarding next steps
Meaning: Action-oriented
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to follow up regarding next steps.
Explanation: Clear objective.
26. I’m checking back to follow up
Meaning: Casual-professional
Tone: Casual-professional
Example: I’m checking back to follow up on this item.
Explanation: Relaxed but clear.
27. I wanted to see where things stand
Meaning: Informal status check
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: I wanted to see where things stand.
Explanation: Conversational.
28. I’m following up to confirm
Meaning: Confirmation request
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m following up to confirm the details.
Explanation: Precision-focused.
29. I wanted to reconnect and follow up
Meaning: Relationship-based reminder
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to reconnect and follow up on this matter.
Explanation: Polite and warm.
30. I’m reaching out to see if there’s an update
Meaning: Update request
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m reaching out to see if there’s an update.
Explanation: Friendly but direct.
31. I wanted to check back in with you
Meaning: Personal follow-up
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: I wanted to check back in with you regarding this.
Explanation: Approachable tone.
32. I’m following up on the status of this request
Meaning: Formal status inquiry
Tone: Formal
Example: I’m following up on the status of this request.
Explanation: Clear and professional.
33. I wanted to ensure we’re aligned
Meaning: Alignment check
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to ensure we’re aligned on next steps.
Explanation: Team-focused.
34. I’m reaching out to revisit this
Meaning: Topic revisit
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m reaching out to revisit this topic.
Explanation: Neutral and respectful.
35. I wanted to follow up and see if you had questions
Meaning: Supportive inquiry
Tone: Professional
Example: I wanted to follow up and see if you had any questions.
Explanation: Helpful and courteous.
36. I’m checking in to keep things moving
Meaning: Progress-oriented
Tone: Professional
Example: I’m checking in to keep things moving.
Explanation: Action-driven close.
Conclusion
While “I just wanted to follow up” is polite and commonly used, varying your language can make your communication sound more confident, professional, and purposeful. These 35+ alternatives help you follow up clearly without sounding repetitive or overly casual. By choosing phrasing that matches your tone and intent, you improve response rates and maintain positive professional relationships. Small language refinements can significantly enhance how your messages are received.
