Are you trying to figure out how to say “I’m not sure” professionally?
If you’re concerned that you don’t know the answer to something, then you’ve come to the right place.
After all, it can be hard to know how to sound formal when admitting a gap in your knowledge.
This article will teach you how to say “I’m not sure” in an email.
Is It Professional to Say “I’m Not Sure”?
It is professional to say “I’m not sure” in most cases.
It’s a simple way to show that you don’t know something. So, it keeps things honest when someone asks you a genuine work-related question.
Also, it’s formal. Therefore, you can use it in an email at work when you know you can’t answer something.
For more information, you can review this email sample:
Dear Ms. Tidings,
I’m not sure how to answer that question at the moment.
Please bear with me while I ask around and give you a better response.
Best regards,
Jodie Keith
Pros
- It’s an honest way to admit you don’t know something.
- It’s direct and genuine.
Cons
- It can seem a bit unprofessional if you’re expected to know something and you don’t.
- It’s a little bit impersonal.
There’s nothing wrong with using “I’m not sure” in your writing. It’s formal enough, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only option! Now, it’s time to explore some alternatives.
So, keep reading to learn how to say “I’m not sure” in a professional way. We’ve gathered a helpful list of synonyms to give you a better idea of what works in your emails.
What to Say Instead of “I’m Not Sure”
- I’m currently uncertain about that
- I don’t know how to answer that
- I’m still in the process of verifying the details
- I haven’t reached a conclusion on that matter
- I’m awaiting further clarification before providing a response
- Please bear with me while I receive clarification
- I need to confirm some details before I can answer
- I’m afraid I’m not able to answer you
- I don’t have the knowledge to answer that
1. I’m Currently Uncertain About That
Why not start by saying “I’m currently uncertain about that”? This is another way to say “I’m not sure” that shows you require a bit more information about something.
For the most part, it’s a formal synonym that works when you are not sure about something. It’s respectful and clear, allowing you to be honest about a gap in your knowledge.
Also, including “currently” suggests that you’re more than willing to look into a situation further. This could allow you to learn the answer; you just have to ask around first.
Try using it when replying to a customer. It’s an excellent way to show them you’re doing everything you can to help.
Also, you can review this sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Ms. Beckett,
I’m currently uncertain about that, but I’ll do what I can to find out more.
Please bear with me while I look into the situation.
Thank you so much,
Dan Willis
2. I Don’t Know How to Answer That
Next, feel free to write “I don’t know how to answer that” in your emails.
It’s formal and honest, making it obvious that you are unsure about something.
Most of the time, the recipient will understand this. They might also offer you a solution that’ll help make things easier for you.
For instance, you can use this when responding to your boss. If you don’t know the answer they’re looking for, it’s always best to remain as honest as possible.
Feel free to check out the following email example if you need a bit more help:
Dear Mr. Young,
I don’t know how to answer that, but I’m willing to learn.
Do you have any advice that might help me to understand this situation better?
Best regards,
Sarah Johnson
3. I’m Still in the Process of Verifying the Details
You can also write “I’m still in the process of verifying the details” instead of “I’m not sure.”
This shows you’re searching for an answer, but you don’t have one yet.
It’s respectful and honest, showing that someone has asked you a question before you have the answer.
It might work best when replying to a client. If they’ve come to you asking for help, this will be a good way to ask them to give you a bit more time.
Also, you can check out this example to learn more about using it:
Dear Ms. Naylor,
I’m still in the process of verifying the details.
However, I’ll get back to you as soon as I have information to share.
Best wishes,
Howard Duck
4. I Haven’t Reached a Conclusion on That Matter
Feel free to say “I haven’t reached a conclusion on that matter.” It’s a more professional way to say “I’m not sure” which suggests you’re still trying to figure something out.
Using “haven’t reached a conclusion” suggests you are looking into something but don’t yet have an answer.
It’s a simplistic yet formal choice, showing that you’re not willing to provide any details because you might not have the correct ones yet.
Therefore, this can be a good choice when answering your teacher. If they ask you a question you’re still looking into, use this to buy yourself some time.
You can review the following sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Mr. Clarke,
I haven’t reached a conclusion on that matter yet.
Could you give me a few more days to figure out what to do?
Yours,
Georgina Nelson
5. I’m Awaiting Further Clarification Before Providing a Response
We also think it’s smart to use “I’m awaiting further clarification before providing a response.”
This is an honest and direct way to suggest you need help before answering a question.
Overall, it works best when replying to a client. If they’ve asked you a question that doesn’t fit your current job description, you might need to outsource it to get the answer from someone else.
While you wait, it’s worth using this phrase to be formal and respectful. It shows you are unsure of something, but you’ll do what you can to make things right.
Also, you can review the following example if you still need assistance:
Dear Ms. Baker,
I’m awaiting further clarification before providing a response.
I’ll have a more concrete answer for you by the end of the week.
All the best,
Joseph Quinn
6. Please Bear With Me While I Receive Clarification
There’s no reason why you can’t use “please bear with me while I receive clarification” as a formal way to say “I’m not sure.”
After all, this doesn’t directly say you are unsure of something. Instead, it simply shows you need more time to find an answer.
This allows you to buy time quickly when talking to someone you want to impress. It can work well when replying to your boss if they’re asking for an update on a team project.
If you still need help with it, it’s worth reviewing this sample email to learn more:
Dear Miss Cherry,
Please bear with me while I receive clarification about this question.
I’ll understand more about the project when I consult my team.
Yours,
Ben Franklin
7. I Need to Confirm Some Details Before I Can Answer
We recommend trying “I need to confirm some details before I can answer.”
This works really well when writing to a client. It’s formal and suggests you’re happy to help with any queries, but you’ll need to ask around before you can give them any correct information.
After all, you’re only human. You can’t know everything. Sometimes, you have to ask others around you to help fill in the gaps.
It’s also good to review this example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Ms. Harrington,
I need to confirm some details before I can answer.
Please bear with me, and I’ll see what I can find out.
Yours,
Duncan Firth
8. I’m Afraid I’m Not Able to Answer You
Next, you might want to be more polite by using “I’m afraid I’m not able to answer you.”
This can work quite well when responding to an employee.
Let’s say they have a new idea for your business and come to you with a question. If you’re unsure how to answer their question because you haven’t thought about it, this phrase works.
It’s respectful and sincere, it also shows you’re quite impressed with what they’ve asked.
Also, you can check out the following email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Adrian,
I’m afraid I’m not able to answer you.
You’ve raised a valid point here, and I’ll see what I can do to fix this problem.
All the best,
Sarah Walker
9. I Don’t Have the Knowledge to Answer That
Finally, you can write “I don’t have the knowledge to answer that.”
It’s another way to say “I’m not sure” that sounds more professional.
Try using it when writing to a customer. It’s respectful and suggests you might need external important before you can answer a question honestly or correctly.
So, check out this sample email to learn more:
Dear Ms. Borne,
I don’t have the knowledge to answer that.
I’ll ask my peers to see if anyone is better equipped to help you with this.
Best wishes,
Suzie Banker