“Just following up”: how to say it politely
Why it can fall flat
“just following up”
The word “just” in “just following up” shrinks the message to a vague nudge with no reason, date or ask, which can read as passive-aggressive. Usually you need a specific answer by a specific time.
Say this instead
- 01
Hi Yvonne, I'm still waiting on the vendor quotes for the budget sheet. Could you send them by noon on Wednesday? I need them to finish the draft.
Coworker · Email
Use this when your own deadline depends on their input and you can name the time you need it.
- 02
Hi Isla, could you let me know whether the revised proposal looks right? Once I have your sign-off, I can book the work in for next week.
Client · Email
The client gets a reason and a next step, so they can see why replying matters to them too.
- 03
Hi Colin, I need a decision on the supplier to keep the Friday timeline. Could you let me know by tomorrow afternoon?
Boss · Chat
A busy manager gets the decision needed and what it affects, which makes a quick answer easier.
- 04
Can you share the draft slides by 3 pm today? I need time to review them before tomorrow's client call.
Someone you manage · Chat
Direct and friendly for someone you manage, with both the deadline and the purpose made clear.
- 05
Hi Chiara, I interviewed with your team on Tuesday and haven't heard about next steps. Could you tell me when I can expect an update?
Recruiter / HR · Email
Try it a few days after an interview, since it asks for a timeline instead of pushing for a decision.
- 06
Hi Mr. Shah, Dana here. I still need your OK on the quote to book your installation. Could you reply here or call me today?
Customer · SMS
It is short enough for a text and tells the customer exactly how to respond.
- 07
Hey Kai, did you get a chance to look at my access request? I can't start testing until it's approved.
Coworker · Chat
Casual and fitting for a teammate when you're blocked and want them to know why.
- 08
Hello Mr. Qureshi, I sent invoice 1042 on June 3 and can't see the payment yet. Could you tell me when it will be paid?
Client · Email
This suits an overdue payment because it states the invoice date and asks only for a payment date.
Examples
Hi Yvonne, I'm still waiting on the Q3 sales figures for the launch report. Unless I have them by noon on Wednesday, the launch moves from Thursday to the following Monday. Could you send them by then, or tell me if that isn't possible? Thanks, Alex
Hi Dev, could you let me know where the signed contract has got to? I need it by 4 pm today to keep tomorrow's kickoff on schedule.
What to avoid
- Sending “just following up” alone, with no reason, date or question attached.
- Digs such as “as per my last email” or “as I already said” tend to sour the reply you're hoping for.
- A long paragraph that buries the ask in the middle makes it easy to miss, so put it in the first or last line.
- Nudging again within hours when nothing is urgent feels pushy, so give it a working day or two.
- Copying in the reader's manager on a first reminder feels like an escalation.