Introduction
The phrase “please be patient” is commonly used when asking someone to wait or allow time for a task, process, or situation to unfold. While it’s polite and direct, repeating it too often—especially in customer service or professional communication can feel impersonal or even slightly dismissive. Choosing thoughtful alternatives helps maintain a respectful, reassuring tone while showing empathy for the other person’s time and expectations. Whether you’re responding to a client, addressing a delay, or managing expectations in an email or conversation, the right wording can make your message sound more considerate and professional.
What Does “Please Be Patient” Mean?
“Please be patient” is a polite request asking someone to wait calmly while something is being completed or resolved.
It often implies a delay, ongoing process, or temporary inconvenience.
When to Use It
You might use “please be patient” or its alternatives when:
- A task is taking longer than expected
- A service is delayed
- Someone is awaiting a response or outcome
Examples:
- Please be patient while we process your request.
- Please be patient as we resolve this issue.
Is It Polite or Professional?
The phrase is polite but can sound generic if overused.
In professional settings, more empathetic or explanatory alternatives are often better received.
35+ Other Ways to Say “Please Be Patient”
1. Thank you for your patience
Meaning: Acknowledges waiting
Tone: Polite-professional
Example: Thank you for your patience while we review your request.
Explanation: Appreciative rather than demanding.
Purpose: Customer service.
2. We appreciate your understanding
Meaning: Acknowledges empathy
Tone: Professional
Example: We appreciate your understanding during this process.
Explanation: Polite and reassuring.
Purpose: Formal communication.
3. Kindly allow us some time
Meaning: Requests time
Tone: Formal
Example: Kindly allow us some time to complete this.
Explanation: Courteous and respectful.
Purpose: Business writing.
4. We’re working on it
Meaning: Progress reassurance
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: We’re working on it and will update you soon.
Explanation: Reassures action.
Purpose: Informal work updates.
5. We’ll get back to you shortly
Meaning: Short delay
Tone: Professional
Example: We’ll get back to you shortly with an update.
Explanation: Sets expectation.
Purpose: Emails and support.
6. We appreciate your continued patience
Meaning: Ongoing delay
Tone: Professional
Example: We appreciate your continued patience.
Explanation: Acknowledges extended wait.
Purpose: Service communication.
7. Please allow a little more time
Meaning: Short extension
Tone: Polite
Example: Please allow a little more time to finalize this.
Explanation: Gentle request.
Purpose: Work communication.
8. Thank you for bearing with us
Meaning: Acknowledges inconvenience
Tone: Warm
Example: Thank you for bearing with us during this delay.
Explanation: Empathetic.
Purpose: Customer messages.
9. We’re in the process of resolving this
Meaning: Ongoing action
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re in the process of resolving this issue.
Explanation: Shows effort.
Purpose: Support contexts.
10. We ask for your understanding
Meaning: Polite appeal
Tone: Formal
Example: We ask for your understanding as we complete the review.
Explanation: Respectful phrasing.
Purpose: Formal notices.
11. Please hold on a moment
Meaning: Short wait
Tone: Friendly
Example: Please hold on a moment while I check that.
Explanation: Casual and polite.
Purpose: Conversations.
12. We’ll keep you updated
Meaning: Reassurance
Tone: Professional
Example: We’ll keep you updated on our progress.
Explanation: Builds trust.
Purpose: Professional settings.
13. We’re handling this as quickly as possible
Meaning: Urgency acknowledged
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re handling this as quickly as possible.
Explanation: Shows effort.
Purpose: Customer service.
14. Thank you for waiting
Meaning: Appreciative
Tone: Polite
Example: Thank you for waiting; we’ll assist you shortly.
Explanation: Gratitude-focused.
Purpose: Service settings.
15. We appreciate your cooperation
Meaning: Mutual respect
Tone: Professional
Example: We appreciate your cooperation during this time.
Explanation: Collaborative tone.
Purpose: Formal communication.
16. We’re making progress
Meaning: Reassurance
Tone: Friendly-professional
Example: We’re making progress and will update you soon.
Explanation: Positive tone.
Purpose: Updates.
17. Thank you for your time
Meaning: Respectful acknowledgment
Tone: Professional
Example: Thank you for your time while we review this.
Explanation: Polite and considerate.
Purpose: Business emails.
18. We’re currently reviewing your request
Meaning: Status update
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re currently reviewing your request.
Explanation: Informative and clear.
Purpose: Formal replies.
19. We’ll respond as soon as possible
Meaning: Time-bound reassurance
Tone: Professional
Example: We’ll respond as soon as possible.
Explanation: Sets expectations.
Purpose: Emails.
20. Your request is in progress
Meaning: Status confirmation
Tone: Professional
Example: Your request is in progress.
Explanation: Clear and neutral.
Purpose: Automated responses.
21. Please allow us to complete the process
Meaning: Process-focused request
Tone: Formal
Example: Please allow us to complete the process.
Explanation: Structured phrasing.
Purpose: Official communication.
22. We appreciate your patience and support
Meaning: Gratitude and reassurance
Tone: Warm-professional
Example: We appreciate your patience and support.
Explanation: Friendly and appreciative.
Purpose: Client relations.
23. We’ll be with you shortly
Meaning: Short wait
Tone: Friendly
Example: We’ll be with you shortly.
Explanation: Reassuring and calm.
Purpose: Service contexts.
24. Thank you for your understanding and patience
Meaning: Combined appreciation
Tone: Professional
Example: Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Explanation: Polite and empathetic.
Purpose: Formal writing.
25. We ask for a bit more time
Meaning: Time extension
Tone: Polite
Example: We ask for a bit more time to resolve this.
Explanation: Gentle and respectful.
Purpose: Professional emails.
26. We’re addressing this now
Meaning: Immediate action
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re addressing this now.
Explanation: Reassuring.
Purpose: Support communication.
27. Your patience is appreciated
Meaning: Gratitude
Tone: Professional
Example: Your patience is appreciated.
Explanation: Appreciative tone.
Purpose: Customer communication.
28. We thank you for your patience
Meaning: Formal gratitude
Tone: Formal
Example: We thank you for your patience during this time.
Explanation: Polished and respectful.
Purpose: Official notices.
29. We’re doing our best to resolve this promptly
Meaning: Effort acknowledgment
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re doing our best to resolve this promptly.
Explanation: Shows commitment.
Purpose: Client messages.
30. Please allow some additional time
Meaning: Delay request
Tone: Formal
Example: Please allow some additional time.
Explanation: Polite and neutral.
Purpose: Business communication.
31. We appreciate your patience as we work through this
Meaning: Ongoing effort
Tone: Professional
Example: We appreciate your patience as we work through this.
Explanation: Empathetic phrasing.
Purpose: Support contexts.
32. We’re currently addressing your concern
Meaning: Active handling
Tone: Professional
Example: We’re currently addressing your concern.
Explanation: Reassures action.
Purpose: Customer service.
33. Thank you for allowing us time
Meaning: Respectful request
Tone: Formal
Example: Thank you for allowing us time to review this.
Explanation: Gratitude-focused.
Purpose: Formal writing.
34. We appreciate your patience during this process
Meaning: Process acknowledgment
Tone: Professional
Example: We appreciate your patience during this process.
Explanation: Clear and polite.
Purpose: Professional communication.
35. We’ll update you once this is resolved
Meaning: Future reassurance
Tone: Professional
Example: We’ll update you once this is resolved.
Explanation: Sets clear expectation.
Purpose: Customer support.
36. Please bear with us
Meaning: Informal patience request
Tone: Casual-professional
Example: Please bear with us while we fix this.
Explanation: Friendly and common.
Purpose: Informal updates.
Conclusion
Although “please be patient” is polite, using more thoughtful alternatives can make your communication feel warmer and more professional. These 36 phrases allow you to acknowledge delays while showing empathy, appreciation, and transparency. By choosing language that reassures and respects the reader, you maintain trust and reduce frustration. Whether in customer service, workplace emails, or everyday conversations, the right wording can make waiting feel more manageable and respectful.
