Sending a reminder email doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it is important that you keep a polite tone, especially in professional contexts.
So, is “did you get a chance” a suitable and polite phrase or should you use an alternative in your emails?
Can You Say “Did You Get a Chance” in an Email?
You can say “did you get a chance” in casual emails between coworkers. It works well because it conveys a more conversational tone.
However, it is not professional or formal, so you shouldn’t say “did you get a chance” in professional business contexts.
Pros
- It’s very polite and friendly, so it works well in casual emails.
- You can use it when you want to build a positive working relationship with someone.
Cons
- It’s too friendly to be appropriate in professional settings.
- It doesn’t work if you’ve set a specific deadline, as “get a chance” is not time sensitive.
To sum up, “did you get a chance to” is only suitable in casual emails. So, if you’re looking to spice up your writing or say “did you get a chance” in a polite way, then you should read on.
We have gathered the 10 best alternatives to “did you get a chance” that work in a reminder email. After all, you can never have too many synonyms to switch around!
What to Say Instead of “Did You Get a Chance”
- Have you had a chance to review
- When you get a chance
- Did you have the time to look into this?
- Please review
- Further to my previous email
- Have you read my email
- Just checking in
- Just writing to ask
- Did you review
- Have you gotten around to
1. Have You Had a Chance to Review
One of the simplest synonyms for “did you get a chance” is “have you had a chance to review.” After all, “did you get” and “have you had” are synonymous in most instances, so you can switch between them at will.
We recommend using this phrase when emailing your boss. It is a very respectful way to find out whether they’ve taken the time to do something for you. It’s not too pushy, and it shows that you appreciate that your boss might be busy.
Here is an email example to show you how it works:
Dear Mr. Rose,
Have you had a chance to review my previous email? I’m curious to learn what you think about it.
Thank you,
George White
2. When You Get a Chance
The busier someone is, the harder it can be to get them to do something for you. But “when you get a chance” is a great way to try and encourage them to do you a favor.
You can use something like this when emailing a colleague. It shows that you respect their schedule and understand if they’re too busy to do something. However, it also suggests that you expect them to do something for you soon when their schedule clears up.
This sample email will also show you how to use it:
Dear Aimee,
When you get a chance to read my email, can you reply immediately? It’s important that we get to work quickly.
Kind regards,
Katie
3. Did You Have the Time to Look Into This?
Another great alternative to “did you get a chance” comes with “did you have the time to look into this?” It’s a simple question that finds out where someone has reviewed something you sent them.
Phrasing the question in this way is very polite. Therefore, you can use it when emailing your boss, even though you know they might be too busy to look into something for you. It’s respectful, so you shouldn’t have to worry about insulting your boss when you use it.
You can refer to this email example to help you:
Dear Ms. Tuckett,
Did you have time to look into this for me? I would appreciate a phone call once you’ve done it!
Best wishes,
Sarah Woodgreen
4. Please Review
Sometimes, two words are all you need. “Please review.” It’s as simple as that. You should use it when you want someone to look into something for you and let you know what they think about it.
The inclusion of “please” makes this a very polite phrase. You should use it when you want to get straight to the point. It might work when asking your boss to review some information relating to a project you’ve completed for them.
Here’s a quick example email:
Dear Mr. Gregorovic,
Please review the content of the attachment. I would appreciate a swift response once you’ve read through it.
All the best,
Samson Tay
5. Further to My Previous Email
Perhaps you’ve already sent someone an email asking them to do something for you. Then, “further to my previous email” is a great way to find out whether they’ve done the tasks or not.
Generally, this phrase works best if you are the boss. It’s a very demanding phrase that shows you are writing a follow-up to a previous email.
You can use it when emailing employees to find out whether they’re keeping on top of their work. It’s not as polite as some of the other alternatives, but it’s still an effective way to find out if someone is doing their duty.
For instance:
Dear Ben,
Further to my previous email, did you manage to complete the three tasks I set for you?
Kind regards,
Kimberley Redd
6. Have You Read My Email
You can also say something like “have you read my email” if you want to ask a simple question. It’s very polite, but it works best when emailing someone in a more casual setting.
For instance, you can use it when emailing colleagues to catch up. It shows you sent them an email previously, and you would appreciate it if they could reply.
Here is an email sample to show you how it works:
Dear Jack,
Have you read my email about this yet? I haven’t heard from you yet, so I wonder what you think.
Best wishes,
Suzie
7. Just Checking In
Adding “just” to a synonym can be risky in professional settings. Luckily, there’s nothing wrong with it when you want to be casual and polite. So, try using “just checking in” instead of “did you get a chance” to find out if someone has done a task for you.
You will find this phrase most useful when emailing colleagues. It’s very relaxed, so it won’t put any pressure on the recipient when you “check-in” to see what they’ve been getting up to.
Here is an example to show you how it works:
Dear Ryan,
I’m just checking in to find out if you’ve had a chance to look at my email below. It’s very important that you do!
All the best,
Freya
8. Just Writing to Ask
To bridge the gap between formal and informal writing, you could say “just writing to ask” at the start of an email. Starting with “just” keeps your tone casual and comforting. “Writing to ask” then allows you to sound polite and professional.
It’s a good one for business emails shared between coworkers. You can use it when you want to find out what a colleague might think of something and whether you need to discuss matters with them further.
For example:
Dear Mason,
I’m just writing to ask if you have read through the new protocols. If so, what did you think of them?
Kind regards,
Andy
9. Did You Review
“Did you review” is a simple alternative to “did you get a chance.” You can replace “get a chance” with “review” when you’ve provided someone with an email or attachment they can look over and analyze.
We certainly recommend using this phrase in formal emails when talking to employees. It shows you would like their attention regarding something and need to know what they think before moving forward.
Perhaps this email example will also help you:
Dear Harold,
Did you review my previous email? Everyone else has responded, so I’d like to know your thoughts.
All the best,
Sara
10. Have You Gotten Around To
There’s one last phrase we recommend using instead of “did you get a chance.” It is “have you gotten around to.” Now, you might not be able to use it in formal situations, but it’s great to use as a more casual and friendly alternative.
It puts no pressure on the recipient when used. So, you should try including it when emailing colleagues you’re close to. It shows you want to know if they’ve “gotten around to” doing something or if they’re still too busy to get to work on something new.
This email sample will demonstrate how it works:
Dear David,
Have you gotten around to the task he set for you yet? I would like to see what you made of it.
Kind regards,
Melanie