Do you want to reach out and talk to someone in a professional capacity?
Perhaps you’re worried that using “touch base” to indicate this is too informal or insincere.
Well, it’s a good thing it’s not your only option!
This article will teach you how to say “touch base” in an email.
Is It Formal to Say “Touch Base”?
It is not formal to say “touch base.” It’s an informal phrase that works well when showing that you’d like to connect with someone or speak to them about a specific event.
Therefore, it’s not professional, either. So, it’s probably best to leave it out of most emails written in the workplace.
Of course, it’s still correct! So, it’s worth using it in other situations.
Check out this example to learn a bit more about it:
We should touch base to discuss this later. I have so many great ideas that I’d like to run by you!
Pros
- It’s a good informal choice when you’d like to meet with someone.
- It’s a quick and fun way to show you want to connect.
Cons
- It’s informal, so it doesn’t work in most business settings.
- It might require further explanation as it isn’t the most intuitive phrase.
So, “touch base” might not be the best option in your formal writing. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of choices! There are plenty of other ones available.
Keep reading to learn what to say instead of “touch base.” We’ve gathered a list of some of the best synonyms to help you branch out and see what else might suit you.
What to Say Instead of “Touch Base”
- Connect
- Meet and discuss
- Review
- Confer
- Communicate
- Liaise
- Collaborate
- Exchange views
- Assess the situation
1. Connect
One of the clearest ways to say “touch base” is “connect.” In professional terms, this simply means you’d like to meet with someone to discuss something.
So, you really can’t go wrong with this choice as a one-word synonym.
It’s direct and to the point. It lets people know that you’d really like to meet with them soon to discuss more about a situation happening at work.
For the most part, it’s a good chance to reach out to a client.
If you haven’t spoken to them for a while, a term like this will often help you to arrange something.
Check out the following email example if you need a bit more help with it:
Dear Miss Yates,
I would like to connect regarding these projects soon.
Please let me know when you have some spare time to go over the finances.
Best wishes,
Dean Sprock
2. Meet and Discuss
You can also say “meet and discuss” as another way to say “touch base.”
This is a good formal synonym if you’re looking for something that every reader will understand.
After all, it does exactly what it says it will. You will “meet” with someone to “discuss” something. It doesn’t get clearer than that!
Try using it when writing to an employee. If you’d like to check in on their progress with a project, you can use a phrase like this.
It’s respectful and to the point. So, it’s a good chance to give employees the time to prepare their project notes before meeting with you.
Also, you can review this example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Jean,
I want to meet and discuss these ideas with you as soon as possible.
I think it’s in both of our best interests to get them laid out quickly.
Yours,
Carl Mockaitis
3. Review
When you touch base with someone, it often gives you a chance to “review” what’s happening.
That’s why “review” is a great term to use here. It allows you to meet with someone to discuss the current situation.
It’s professional and direct. So, it goes a long way when writing a business email and trying to get someone’s take on something.
For the most part, this will help you when contacting your employer. Using language like this shows you’re interested in developing a more professional partnership.
You can also check out this example if you need more help:
Dear Ms. Grey,
Can we review this situation soon?
I have some ideas about it, and I think I’d like to sit down with you to discuss more.
Best regards,
Sandra Hallow
4. Confer
Try using “confer” when you want to touch base regarding a meeting invite.
You can “confer” with someone when they’ve invited you to a professional meeting. It shows that you’d like to discuss some key points with them, and you hope they have some things to share, too.
Generally, this keeps things direct and to the point. It lets a recipient know what you’d like to get out of your discussion, and you hope they feel the same.
So, you might want to use it before meeting with a business partner.
It suggests that you have some things to share and are interested in hearing from them.
If you’re still confused, you can review this example:
Dear Mrs. Murphy,
We should confer to determine what’s next for our business model.
When are you free to discuss some of the ideas on the agenda?
Yours,
Alexia Taylor
5. Communicate
You can’t go wrong with “communicate” as a professional way to say “touch base.”
After all, what is “touching base” if not “communicating” with your peers?
So, you might want to use this when reaching out to coworkers. It shows you’d like to sit down with them to discuss some progress (maybe you’re working on a project together).
Whatever the case, this word goes a long way in most emails. It’s direct and sincere, letting someone know that you’d appreciate having a conversation with them.
Also, it’s worth reviewing this email example to learn a bit more:
Dear Howard,
I want to communicate more with you about this project.
We need to work together to ensure we’re delivering our best result.
All the best,
Ryan Domino
6. Liaise
For something a bit more professional, try using “liaise.”
It’s not often you’ll find this useful in informal writing. But it’s a great one to include when you’re trying to meet that formal tone in your emails.
So, you can use this when contacting a business partner. If you “liaise” with them, it means you want to meet and discuss some things relating to your business.
Whatever the case, this keeps things respectful and clear. So, it makes it obvious what you’d like to get out of your meeting.
Feel free to review the following email example to learn a bit more:
Dear Mr. Black,
We need to liaise soon to discuss the changes to our business.
It’s important for us to both be on the same page, after all.
Yours,
Judy Truman
7. Collaborate
It’s also good to use “collaborate” instead of “touch base.” After all, this makes it more of a team effort, which could go a long way when getting information from someone.
If someone feels like they’re on the same team as you, they might be more prone to opening up.
Therefore, this works well when writing to a coworker.
If you’d like to touch base regarding a project you’re both working on, a phrase like this should do the trick.
Also, you can check out this email sample to learn a bit more:
Dear Haley,
I want to collaborate to discuss more about what’s expected of us.
Do you have some spare time to go over what comes next?
Best regards,
Paul Robson
8. Exchange Views
We like using “exchange views” in some situations as well. It’s a great way to be professional and direct when you want to share information with someone.
For the most part, this is a fantastic way to show that you’ve got some interesting points to share.
It also implies that you’d like to hear someone else’s viewpoints or ideas to see how they relate to your own.
Therefore, this phrase could work well before setting up a meeting. Try using it when writing to a client if you’re looking to touch base with them!
You can also check out this email sample to learn more:
Dear Ms. Robot,
I want to exchange views regarding this topic as soon as possible.
Please let me know when you have some free time to go over this.
All the best,
Sam Clank
9. Assess the Situation
Finally, you can use “assess the situation” as a phrasal alternative to “touch base.”
Generally, “touching base” allows you to assess current situations and make the most out of them. It allows you to establish your thoughts and ideas and hear from someone else about theirs.
Well, that’s why “assess the situation” works well here.
It’s to the point and sincere. It also helps that it’s quite a professional phrase, so it goes a long way, regardless of who you’re contacting.
Try it when writing to an employee. It’ll let them know that you have some ideas in mind to discuss.
Check out this email sample if you still need help:
Dear Anthony,
I’d like to assess the situation at your earliest convenience.
When will you be free to go over some of these findings?
Best wishes,
Sean Clark