Home › Business English › Business · Elementary

Email · part 3 — following up

Follow up politely and ask for a reply.

ていねいにフォローアップして、返事を求められるようになりましょう。

Key English phrases

I'm following up on ~.
When you get a chance, ~.
No rush, but ~.
Looking forward to your reply.

Example conversation

AHi Ken, I'm following up on the invoice from last week.
BOh, sorry! It slipped my mind.
ANo rush, but could you send it when you get a chance?
BI'll do it this afternoon.
AThank you. Looking forward to your reply.
BYou'll have it soon.

In context

Read a follow-up email. 'Hi Aya, I'm following up on my email from last Monday about the schedule. No rush, but a reply this week would really help me plan. When you get a chance, could you confirm the dates? Looking forward to your reply. Thanks so much!'

When to use it · practice

You emailed and haven't heard back. Follow up politely.
メールしたのに返事がありません。ていねいにフォローアップしましょう。
You don't want to pressure them. Soften the request.
相手をせかしたくないです。お願いをやわらげましょう。
You want to end warmly. Say you look forward to a reply.
あたたかく終えたいです。「返信をお待ちしています」と言いましょう。

Practice this for real

Say these phrases out loud with instant pronunciation feedback tuned for Japanese speakers.

Practice this lesson →Free 2-min level check Start free