Are you trying to find the best reply to a formal command or task?
Perhaps you’re worried that “okay” isn’t the most formal response to use in your writing.
Luckily, you’re not stuck with that as your only option.
This article will teach you how to say “okay” in an email or other professional situations.
Is It Unprofessional to Reply “Okay”?
It is not unprofessional to reply “okay” to most emails or messages. It’s simply a good way to show that you understand something being asked of you.
So you don’t have to worry because it’s not rude. Instead, it’s a great way to acknowledge an order or message from someone that needs a quick response.
Also, you can check out this sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Mrs. Kingsley,
Okay. I understand what you want me to do here.
I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve completed this task for you.
Best wishes,
Suzie Dench
Pros
- It’s a simple yet effective way to reply to someone’s request or command.
- It’s professional and direct.
Cons
- Since it’s only one word, it can be seen as a bit rude.
- It’s not the most interesting way to respond to someone.
You really can’t go wrong with “okay” in your writing. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only suitable response! It’s time to explore some options to see what else works.
Keep reading to learn what to reply instead of “okay.” We’ve touched on some of the best synonyms to give you better ideas of what will work.
What to Say Instead of “Okay”
- Certainly, I’ll get on that
- Agreed
- Understood
- I understand
- I will proceed
- Acknowledged
- Very well
- I’ll do what I can
- Affirmative
- Consider it done
1. Certainly, I’ll Get on That
You can start with “certainly, I’ll get on that.” It’s another way to say “okay” when responding to someone giving you orders.
Generally, you can use it when contacting your boss.
It’s typically a good choice that shows you’re happy to help someone. If they’ve specifically requested that you help them get on to something, you can use something like this.
After all, it’s polite and sincere. Therefore, it’s a good way to show that you’ll help however you can.
Feel free to review this example if you still need help with it:
Dear Miss Harbor,
Certainly, I’ll get on that immediately.
Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me before we continue.
Yours,
Carla Robinson
2. Agreed
Next, you can use “agreed” to reply “okay” in a polite way. Generally, this works best when someone has given you their opinion, and you agree with what they’re saying.
For instance, you can use it to agree with a coworker.
It shows them that you get what they’re saying and that you want them to know they can come to you.
Generally, this is a good way to improve coworker relationships. It shows you agree, which goes a long way in most settings.
You can also review this email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Jennifer,
Agreed.
This sounds like a really good idea, and I’m glad I’ve got you to work with on this.
Best regards,
Daniel Evans
3. Understood
For a formal way to say “okay” in an email, try “understood.” It’s a great one-word synonym that shows you understand what someone is asking of you.
So, you can use it when contacting your boss.
If they’ve recently provided you with a task to complete, this phrase works wonders. It lets them know you understand what they’re asking of you and want to reply quickly and effectively.
Of course, being a one-word alternative, this allows you to streamline and condense your writing. Generally, emails benefit from more streamlined passages, so words like this go a long way.
If you’re still unsure, check out this sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Ms. Bryer,
Understood.
I’ll get on that immediately and ensure that the work is done to the appropriate standard.
Yours,
Charlotte Spencer
4. I Understand
If you’re still confused about how to say “okay” professionally, try “I understand.”
Introducing the personal pronoun “I” to the phrase helps to keep things personal and sincere.
So, it’s a great choice that allows you to be confident and direct in your response.
Most of the time, people will appreciate the more direct tone associated with this phrase. Therefore, it works well when contacting a client to let them know you understand or accept something.
Here’s a helpful sample email to show you more about it:
Dear Ms. Thrust,
I understand.
I’ll let you know what I come up with as I look into this more.
Best wishes,
Samuel Denning
5. I Will Proceed
Next, we recommend using “I will proceed.” This is a great chance to be formal and respectful when someone has given you a task to do.
So, you can use it as another way to say “okay” to your boss. It keeps things formal and civil and shows that you’re more than happy to help them complete something.
Generally, this will sound polite and understanding. That’s what makes it such a good phrase to include in an email when you want someone to appreciate what you’re doing for them.
You can also check out this sample email to learn more about it:
Dear Miss Sherrin,
I will proceed as you’ve requested.
Please let me know if there’s anything else I need to do before the end of the week.
All the best,
Simon Wood
6. Acknowledged
We also think it’s worth using “acknowledged” as another way to say “okay.”
It’s formal and appropriate to use in most email formats. Therefore, it’s a good way to sound as respectful as possible when you want to let someone know you understand them.
Generally, you can use it to show you’re happy to do something for another person. It shows you’ve acknowledged what they’ve written and will do what you can to help.
Try it when writing to your employer. For the most part, it’s a good way to get into their good books and let them know you’re diligent as an employee.
Also, this email sample will help you to understand it a bit better:
Dear Ms. Matthews,
Acknowledged.
I’ll do what I can to get on this as quickly as possible to make things easier for you.
Kind regards,
Joan Ark
7. Very Well
For something a little more friendly, why not try “very well”?
This is a great way to be conversational yet sincere. So, it works wonders when you’d like to show someone you’re happy to agree to something they’ve told you.
Generally, you can use this when contacting an employee.
If they’ve come to you asking for help, this is your chance to let them know you’d be happy to assist them with whatever they might need.
You can also check out this email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Jodie,
Very well; I’ll see what I can do.
Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention.
Yours,
Clark Kosh
8. I’ll Do What I Can
It’s also worth using “I’ll do what I can” instead of “okay.” This works well because it’s friendly and honest.
It shows that you might not be able to do everything someone is asking of you. So, it’s not the most confident phrase, but it’s a good way to assess your own abilities when someone needs you.
Therefore, we think it’s best to use it when replying to a coworker. It shows that you don’t want to give them false hope, as you might not be able to help, but you’ll do what you can.
This example will help you understand it better if you’re still confused:
Dear Jacob,
I’ll do what I can to help you through this.
However, I’m not entirely sure if I’m the right person for the job.
Best wishes,
Dean Smith
9. Affirmative
For something a little different, why not give “affirmative” a go? This is a fun way to mix things up and show you’re happy to reply “okay” to someone.
Of course, it’s a bit more light-hearted. The word itself seems formal, but most of the time, people use it to make fun of more serious situations.
Therefore, this will be best when confirming plans with a coworker. You can use it to show that you’re happy to agree with whatever they told you.
Also, you can review this example to learn a bit more:
Dear Stacey,
Affirmative.
I’m certainly happy to help you understand more about this project if necessary.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Stevens
10. Consider It Done
Finally, it’s worth using “consider it done” to help you mix things up.
It’s friendly and sincere. So, it’s a good way to let someone know you’re happy to confirm something when you have a good relationship with them.
For instance, you can use it when contacting an employee who has reached out to ask for help. It shows you’re on it and will do what you can to assist them.
This email sample will also clear some things up:
Dear Harold,
Consider it done.
I’ll get back in touch once I’ve got more information for you.
All the best,
Howard Wolowitz