There’s nothing wrong with asking someone to reply to your email. The only way you could go wrong with it is if you ask them in a rude or offensive way.
Luckily, this article has gathered some polite phrases to help you.
We’ll show you how to politely remind someone to reply to your email. You can also review the examples we provide to see the best ways to phrase each choice.
- Could you please reply to my email?
- Do you mind taking the time to reply to my previous email?
- I am still awaiting your reply
- I would still like to hear from you
- Please reply to my previous email
- If it’s not too much trouble, could you reply?
- I would love to hear your thoughts on my last email
- What do you think about my previous email?
- Have you thought about your answer to my last email?
- Just a reminder that I still need a reply to my email
1. Could You Please Reply to My Email?
One of the best ways to give a gentle reminder to reply is “could you please reply to my email?” After all, it doesn’t get more polite than starting a question with “could you please.”
We recommend using this when contacting your boss. It’s a respectful way to show that you’re keen to hear their thoughts on a situation, especially if they’ve yet to get back to you.
Also, it avoids making you sound too demanding. The last thing you want to do is demand that your boss reply. Remember, they’ll have quite a busy schedule to work around.
You can also review this example to learn more:
Dear Ms. Castle,
Could you please reply to my email? I’m so keen to find out your thoughts on the situation before going ahead.
Yours,
William Shaky
2. Do You Mind Taking the Time to Reply to My Previous Email?
While it’s a little wordier than other choices, you can ask “do you mind taking the time to reply to my previous email?”
It’s a little unconfident, but it’s still polite and formal.
This is a great way to kindly remind someone to reply. It works well when you respect the recipient and want them to know you’re still awaiting a reply.
For instance, you can use it when asking a client to respond. It shows you’re still keen to hear from them.
Here’s a great email example to help you understand it:
Dear Ms. Tate,
Do you mind taking the time to reply to my previous email? I think it’s quite an important one to respond to.
All the best,
Matilda Adams
3. I Am Still Awaiting Your Reply
This one isn’t a question at all. Instead, it’s a statement. You need to know how to use statements like this politely in formal writing to avoid offending the recipient.
“I am still awaiting your reply” works really well when emailing employees. It’s a bit more demanding than some of the other options, but it still comes across as polite.
You can only get away with this one if you’re in a more authoritative position. So, we don’t recommend using it if you’re talking to your boss or a client.
Perhaps this email sample will also help you with it:
Dear Darryl,
I am still awaiting your reply. Please let me know if you can’t answer my email, and I will see if there’s anything I can do.
Yours,
Sean Brentford
4. I Would Still Like to Hear From You
It’s hard to know what to say politely when you need to follow up on an email after no response. You’ve got to understand the language you include to ensure you don’t offend the recipient.
“I would still like to hear from you” is a great respectful example. It’s a good synonym here because it shows you’re willing to wait for a response.
Saying you would “still like” implies you’ve been waiting a while. However, it also suggests you’re willing to wait just a bit longer before hearing from someone.
We also recommend reviewing the following example:
Dear Haley,
I would still like to hear from you regarding my previous email. Please let me know when you have an answer.
Kind regards,
Dan Cole
5. Please Reply to My Previous Email
You can politely ask for a reply with “please reply to my previous email.” To be honest, it doesn’t get more direct than that.
The inclusion of “please” is all you need to remain polite here.
It stays formal and shows that you expect an email back from the recipient. For instance, you can use it when emailing employees to show that you’re keen to get their verdict on something.
People are more likely to respond when you keep your writing as polite as possible. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting them to ignore you completely.
You can also check out this sample email if you’re stuck:
Dear Jade,
Please reply to my previous email as soon as possible. I’m still waiting on your reply before I can move forward.
Yours,
Scott Le Billon
6. If It’s Not Too Much Trouble, Could You Reply?
A polite way to ask someone to reply goes a long way. Try “if it’s not too much trouble, could you reply?” to give off the politest vibes.
This question works wonders in formal emails. It shows you’d like to hear someone’s thoughts relating to a previous email.
Of course, it only works when someone hasn’t replied for a while. You should include it when asking a colleague to get back to you, especially if a deadline is coming up.
For more guidance, check out this email example:
Dear Ailee,
If it’s not too much trouble, could you reply to my previous email? I’m trying to compile all the responses before continuing.
Yours,
Duncan Bannatyne
7. I Would Love to Hear Your Thoughts on My Last Email
It’s good to keep other people’s ideas in mind. The more people you ask to share opinions, the more collaborative you can be when completing a task.
So, feel free to use “I would like to hear your thoughts on my last email.”
It shows you’re open to ideas when someone responds to you. It’s a good way to encourage a positive response from the recipient if it’s been a while.
Here’s a great example to help you understand it:
Dear Mrs. Pain,
I would love to hear your thoughts on my last email. You’re the only client that has yet to respond.
Best regards,
Benjamin Dickens
8. What Do You Think About My Previous Email?
We recommend “what do you think about my previous email?” as a great formal question. It shows you’re interested in feedback directly from the recipient.
Generally, this works best when asking your boss for help. It shows you’re interested in their opinion but don’t want to sound too pushy.
After all, if you push your boss to reply when they’re busy, they may be less likely to get back to you. There’s a fine balance you need to become familiar with.
Check out this email example as well:
Dear Mr. Murphy,
What do you think about my previous email? Is there anything you would change before moving to the next stage?
All the best,
Melissa McCartney
9. Have You Thought About Your Answer to My Last Email?
When emailing clients, you can ask “have you thought about your answer to my last email?”
It’s very professional and respectful, showing you’re keen to hear from someone.
It’s best to use on clients because it shows you’re open to waiting longer. It doesn’t put pressure on them to reply immediately.
Instead, it shows they can take your time. If they need longer to give you an answer, that’s okay.
You should also review the following sample email:
Dear Mr. Fox,
Have you thought about your answer to my last email? I’m eager to learn whether you agree with our proposal.
Best,
Sam Watkins
10. Just a Reminder That I Still Need a Reply to My Email
To finish things off, “just a reminder that I still need a reply to my email” is a great way to politely push someone to reply.
We recommend using it when you don’t want to offend the recipient. It’s very friendly and respectful, making it one of the best options you can use regardless of the recipient.
For instance, it works when emailing colleagues just as well as when emailing your boss.
Starting any email with “just a reminder” shows that you’re gently pushing someone to do something. It acts as a polite reminder rather than a sinister demand.
Here is an email sample to help you with it:
Dear Marie,
Just a reminder that I still need a reply to my email. I would love to hear from you before the end of the week.
Yours,
Roran Scott