You might need some extra time before replying to someone via email. So, perhaps you’re trying to use “thank you for your patience” to indicate gratitude.
However, is it the best phrase in an email format? This article will explore that question and look into some alternatives.
Is It Ok to Say “Thank You for Your Patience”?
It is ok to say “thank you for your patience.” It’s not rude and shows that you appreciate someone waiting while you figure out the situation on your end.
This polite phrase works well for sharing gratitude in a professional setting. We highly recommend it when talking to customers and clients, as it shows that you appreciate them giving you the time to figure things out.
Here is an example to show you how it works:
Thank you for your patience at this time. I will let you know when I have more news to share.
Pros
- It is very professional.
- It works well if you’re looking for a more polite tone.
Cons
- It’s quite generic.
- It doesn’t seem very personal and friendly.
“Thank you for your patience” is one of the best phrases for a formal email. We highly recommend it, though it’s good to have a few synonyms ready to keep things interesting.
So, read on to learn how to say “thank you for your patience” in an email. We’ve also provided examples to demonstrate each one better.
What to Say Instead of “Thank You for Your Patience”
- Thank you for your time
- Thanks for waiting
- Please be patient
- We appreciate your patience
- Please bear with us
- Please leave it with me
- I appreciate your understanding
- Please work with me on this
- I would appreciate some more time
1. Thank You for Your Time
Patience and time go hand in hand, usually. That’s why “thank you for your time” is a great replacement for “thank you for your patience.”
It shows that you respect someone’s schedule and do not want to take too much of their time.
Generally, this works best in an email to a customer. It shows that you care about them and don’t want to waste their time.
However, sometimes, you have to spend a bit longer getting an answer for a customer. That’s why “thank you for your time” works well. It shows that you appreciate their patience and will get back to them as soon as possible.
You should also refer to this email example:
Dear Howard,
Thank you for your time while we resolve this issue. I appreciate that things aren’t moving as quickly as we first suggested.
Kind regards,
Duncan Kirkland
2. Thanks for Waiting
You may also use a slightly more informal synonym in your emails, such as “thanks for waiting.”
It shows that you appreciate someone’s patience while you sort something out on your end.
For instance, you may use it when emailing a customer. If you work for a more casual company, informal language like this will work wonders in your emails.
We highly recommend it if you want to build a good rapport with anyone who approaches your company.
Perhaps this email sample will also help you with it:
Dear Brad,
Thanks for waiting while I figure out the best course of action. I will reply to you immediately when I know more.
All the best,
Joseph Quinn
3. Please Be Patient
You can also say “please be patient” instead of “thank you for your patience.” It’s a slightly different approach, but it still works well in formal emails.
Using “please” suggests that it’s a request you’re making. “Please be patient” asks someone to wait for your reply.
Generally, “thank you for your patience” suggests that someone is already waiting to hear from you. It’s more of an appreciative phrase than a polite request.
So, you can use this when emailing applicants. It’s more professional and shows that they need to wait a bit longer before they hear back from you.
This sample email will also help you understand it:
Dear Cherie,
Please be patient during this process. It could take up to ten working days, even though I know you’d like to hear back sooner.
All the best,
Charlotte Pope
4. We Appreciate Your Patience
It’s worth writing “we appreciate your patience” instead of “thank you for your patience” when representing a company.
Using “we” in this context generally means you are the spokesperson for an organization.
So, you might find it useful when emailing customers. After all, it’s more professional to use words like “we” and “our” when talking to customers. It shows that they’re talking to a company rather than an individual.
You may also refer to this example:
Dear Maria,
We appreciate your patience while we resolve this issue. Please let me know if we can do anything else in the meantime.
All the best,
Thomas Kingston
5. Please Bear With Us
Another way to say “thank you for your patience” is “please bear with us.”
It works well in slightly more informal contexts. You can use it when emailing new customers when you work for a more casual company.
This phrase is great to show that you are friendly and helpful. Most new customers will be happy to receive an email with a phrase like this. After all, it shows that you’re doing what you can to help answer any queries they might have.
This email sample is also a great way to see how it works:
Dear Matilda,
Please bear with us while we find an answer. It’s going to take a little while longer before we can help you.
All the best,
Sean Woodacre
6. Please Leave It With Me
Perhaps you need some time before you can give any answers via email. That’s where “please leave it with me” comes in.
We recommend using it when emailing customers and answering questions. It shows you value their business and will do what you can to find the most appropriate answer to their question.
You should always try to make your customers feel valued. It’s a good business practice, and it shows professionalism when you need it.
You should also refer to this email example:
Dear Summer,
Please leave it with me while I sort things out on my end. I would like to give you a proper answer ASAP.
Thank you so much,
Ben Fox
7. I Appreciate Your Understanding
Try using “I appreciate your understanding” instead of “thank you for your patience.”
It’s a great formal alternative that respects someone’s patience without directly expressing it.
You can use “understanding” instead of patience to show that you appreciate someone giving you the time to sort something out.
It’s appropriate in most professional emails. So, you can use it when emailing clients expecting something from you. Perhaps you’ve just missed a deadline with them, and this phrase is a great way to explain yourself and let them know to wait a bit longer.
Perhaps this example will help you as well:
Dear Mr. Kite,
I appreciate your understanding at this time, and I would like you to remain patient. It shouldn’t take much longer.
Kind regards,
Steven Wallace
8. Please Work With Me on This
Why not try saying “please work with me on this” when you would like someone to be patient?
It shows that you appreciate their time and need them to wait a bit longer before you can give them a proper reply.
Generally, this works best when emailing customers. It’s a fairly friendly way to show that you’re not quite ready to respond if they ask questions. Most customers will be okay with receiving something like this in an email.
You should also refer to the following example:
Dear Patricia,
Please work with me on this, as I have to sort a few things out before I can reply to you.
Thank you so much,
Sarah Catford
9. I Would Appreciate Some More Time
“I would appreciate some more time” shows that you aren’t quite ready to reply yet.
It’s a good replacement for “thank you for your patience” because it shows you respect the recipient.
People might take offense when asking for an extension or more time to do something. They may assume you’re taking their time for granted, even if they have a busy schedule.
However, this phrase allows you to avoid that. You can use it when emailing a customer to let them know that you appreciate they’re busy, but you still need a bit more time before giving them a reasonable response.
Here’s a great example to help you with it:
Dear Alison,
I would appreciate some more time while I resolve the issue for you. Please let me know if I can do anything else in the meantime.
Yours,
Jonathan Gate