Do you want to receive an update about a situation to see how it has changed?
Perhaps you’re worried that “I would like to know” is informal or rude to include when starting an email.
Therefore, it’s time to explore some alternatives!
This article will teach you how to say “I would like to know” professionally.
Is It Formal to Say “I Would Like to Know”?
It is formal to say “I would like to know.” It’s a great way to start a professional email that shows you’re interested in an update.
It’s polite and generally allows you to ask for more information. Most of the time, recipients will be more than happy to answer your query when starting an email like this.
You can refer to this sample to learn how to say “I would like to know” in an email:
Dear Mr. Burton,
I would like to know the status of my application.
Do you have any updates that might be available for me?
All the best,
Sean Rogers
Pros
- It’s professional and direct.
- It’s a polite way to ask for an update when you need one.
Cons
- It’s a bit generic.
- Some people see it as personal and friendly, which might not work well in professional emails.
You can certainly use “I would like to know” formally. But you can also use alternatives. You simply need to know more about these alternatives before deciding what phrase works best.
So, keep reading to learn another way to say “I would like to know.” We’ve gathered some great formal synonyms to help you explore your options.
What to Say Instead of “I Would Like to Know”
- I would appreciate clarification
- I’m seeking information
- I’d be grateful to learn
- I’d like to find out
- I’m interested in learning
- I’d like to be informed
- I’m eager to gain insight
- Could you brief me on
- Do you mind sharing information
1. I Would Appreciate Clarification
We would like to start with “I would appreciate clarification.” It’s a great way to be polite and respectful when you’d like to know something.
Generally, this is an excellent opportunity to show someone you need more information.
After all, it suggests that you need to know something, and you’d appreciate it if they could share it with you.
Try using it when writing to a customer. If they’ve sent you a complaint or query but didn’t include all the necessary information, this is a good way to ask for more before helping them.
Here’s a great sample email to help you understand more about it:
Dear Ms. Parkinson,
I would appreciate clarification on this issue if you don’t mind.
Then, I’d be happy to help you with the best possible solution.
Yours,
Poppy Naylor
2. I’m Seeking Information
You can also write “I’m seeking information” instead of “I would like to know.” This works really well when you have something specific to ask about.
Feel free to use this when contacting a recruiter. It shows you’re keen to hear back from them regarding an application.
Of course, it’s best to specify what kind of information you’re “seeking.” We recommend it because it’s formal and polite.
Therefore, it’s a good opportunity to get the most out of someone and show that you’re keen.
Feel free to review this example to learn a bit more:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m seeking information regarding my job application.
Do you have any updates that might be beneficial to me at this time?
All the best,
Suzie Shaw
3. I’d Be Grateful to Learn
You can also write “I’d be grateful to learn” instead of “I would like to know.”
This is a good choice if you want to sound humble and respectful. Generally, it works best when contacting your employer.
After all, it suggests that they might know something better than you. So, it’s a good opportunity to let them explain something if they’re willing to help you understand it more.
You can also review this email sample to learn a bit more about how to use it:
Dear Miss Kitch,
I’d be grateful to learn the reason for these changes.
If you’re happy to spare a minute, I’d like to pick your brain.
All the best,
Josie St Clark
4. I’d Like to Find Out
You can also write “I’d like to find out” as another way to say “I would like to know.”
This option is great because it shows you’re keen to learn something quickly. Using “find out” suggests you’re ready to explore new information and to see what someone says.
Generally, you can use this when writing to a client. It’s professional and polite, showing that you’d like them to explain a situation more thoroughly to you.
You can also review the following sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Mr. Mobbs,
I’d like to find out if you can help with this project.
I’m keen to get the ball rolling, but I need more input from your end.
My best,
Seamus Doherty
5. I’m Interested in Learning
Another great alternative is “I’m interested in learning.”
Generally, you can use this when you’d like to find out more about a situation. It’s formal and polite, so it’s a good choice to show that you’re happy to learn from the recipient.
For the most part, you can use this when writing to a teacher. It shows you’re ready and willing to learn information from them, so you’d appreciate it if they could share more.
Here is a great email example to help you understand it if you still need help:
Dear Miss Robinson,
I’m interested in learning more about what you meant by this.
Do you have time to go through it with me so I know what to expect?
Thank you so much,
Greg Johnson
6. I’d Like to Be Informed
We also recommend “I’d like to be informed” instead of “I would like to know.” This formal alternative will help you stay up to date when you’re worried that information might change.
Feel free to use this when writing to your business partner. It will let them know that you’re keen to stay in the loop regarding a situation.
It’s professional and open. So, you can use it to show someone that you care about the outcome and would like to stay involved.
Here’s a great example to help you if you still need more information:
Dear Ms. North,
I’d like to be informed about this whenever you have updates.
Then, I’ll know what the best moves are to continue.
All the best,
Penny Whitehead
7. I’m Eager to Gain Insight
It’s good to use something like “I’m eager to gain insight” in your writing as well.
This phrase shows you’re keen and excited to learn from someone.
So, you can use it when writing to an employer. It lets them know that you’re invested in a situation.
Generally, this is great because it shows you care about something. Employers will often be happy to see something like this from you in an email.
You can also review this example to learn a bit more:
Dear Miss Jeffries,
I’m eager to gain insight into this as soon as possible.
Do you have time to meet with me to discuss it more?
Yours,
Christian Smith-Banner
8. Could You Brief Me On
Feel free to use “could you brief me on” when writing to an employee. For instance, you can use it when they’re working on a team project and you’d like to be kept informed on it.
Of course, as an employer, you have a right to know what’s going on in your workplace.
Therefore, using a phrase like this helps you to stay formal and polite when asking for information. Most people will appreciate it and be happy to share.
And, here’s an example to show you more about using it:
Dear Boris,
Could you brief me on this project when you have a chance?
I’d like to learn what you’re going to do with it.
Thank you so much,
Anne Gould
9. Do You Mind Sharing Information
Finally, we think it’s good to use “do you mind sharing information” instead of “I would like to know.”
This is another professional question that asks to see if someone is happy to share news or updates with you.
Starting the question with “do you mind” shows respect to the recipient, too. It implies that you appreciate they might be busy, but you’d still like to hear more from them.
So, you can use this when writing to your boss. It’s an effective option that shows you’d like an update, but you don’t want them to feel like you’re interrupting their schedule.
Also, you can review this sample email to learn more:
Dear Mr. Tank,
Do you mind sharing information regarding this project with me?
I’m trying to get it right, but I don’t have all of the information yet.
Best regards,
Sam Headcorn