Formal vs Casual Ways to Say ‘I will check and get back to you’

When you tell someone “I will check and get back to you,” you are promising to find information and then share it later. The best way to say this depends on who you are talking to and the situation. In a formal email to a client or manager, you need a polite, clear, and professional phrase. In a casual message to a coworker or friend, a shorter, more direct phrase works better. This guide explains the best formal and casual options, when to use each, and common mistakes to avoid.

Quick Answer: Which Phrase Should You Use?

Use a formal phrase when writing to a boss, a client, a professor, or someone you do not know well. Use a casual phrase when talking to a close colleague, a teammate, or a friend. Here is a simple guide:

• Formal: “I will investigate this and follow up with you.”
• Casual: “Let me look into it and get back to you.”
• Very casual: “I’ll check and let you know.”

The key difference is tone. Formal phrases show respect and professionalism. Casual phrases show friendliness and efficiency.

Formal Ways to Say ‘I will check and get back to you’

Formal phrases are best for professional emails, official reports, or conversations with senior colleagues. They use complete sentences, polite words, and a respectful tone.

1. I will investigate this and follow up with you.

This is a strong, professional option. “Investigate” suggests you will look carefully. “Follow up” is a standard business term. Use this when you need to research a problem or question.

Example email:
Dear Mr. Chen,
Thank you for your question about the invoice. I will investigate this and follow up with you by the end of the day.
Best regards,
Sarah

2. I will look into the matter and get back to you shortly.

“Look into the matter” is a polite and formal way to say “check.” “Shortly” means soon, but it is less specific than a time. This is safe for most formal situations.

Example email:
Dear Team,
I have received your request regarding the new policy. I will look into the matter and get back to you shortly.
Sincerely,
Management

3. Please allow me some time to review this, and I will update you.

This is very polite. “Please allow me” shows respect. “Review” suggests careful thought. “Update you” is clear and professional. Use this when you need time to read documents or data.

Example email:
Dear Ms. Patel,
Thank you for sharing the proposal. Please allow me some time to review this, and I will update you with my feedback.
Kind regards,
James

4. I will confirm the details and revert to you.

“Revert” is a common formal word in business English, especially in British and Asian workplaces. It means “reply” or “get back.” Use this when you need to verify facts.

Example email:
Dear Supplier,
We have received your quotation. I will confirm the details with our team and revert to you by Friday.
Yours faithfully,
Anna

Casual Ways to Say ‘I will check and get back to you’

Casual phrases are perfect for instant messages, emails to close colleagues, or everyday conversation. They are shorter and use simpler words.

1. Let me look into it and get back to you.

This is the most natural casual option. “Let me” is friendly. “Look into it” is common in both casual and semi-formal settings. It works for most workplace chats.

Example message:
Hey Mark,
Thanks for sending the file. Let me look into it and get back to you.
Cheers,
Tom

2. I’ll check and let you know.

This is very short and direct. It is best for quick conversations or when you are sure the answer will be simple. Do not use this with a client or senior manager.

Example message:
“Can you confirm the meeting time?”
“Sure, I’ll check and let you know.”

3. Give me a moment to check, and I’ll get back to you.

This is polite but still casual. “Give me a moment” shows you are busy but willing to help. It works well in person or on the phone.

Example conversation:
“Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“Give me a moment to check, and I’ll get back to you.”

4. I’ll find out and circle back.

“Circle back” is a modern business casual phrase. It means “return to the topic later.” It is common in startups and informal offices.

Example message:
“Does anyone know the deadline?”
“I’ll find out and circle back.”

Comparison Table: Formal vs Casual

Natural Examples

Here are full examples showing how these phrases sound in real situations.

Formal Email Example

Subject: Follow-up on your request
Dear Mr. Tanaka,
Thank you for contacting us about the delivery schedule. I will investigate this with our logistics team and follow up with you within 24 hours. If you have any additional questions, please let me know.
Best regards,
Emily Roberts

Casual Email Example

Subject: Quick question
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the update. Let me look into it and get back to you. I think the answer is in the shared folder.
Talk soon,
Jake

Casual Conversation Example

Person A: “Do you know if the report is ready?”
Person B: “Not yet. I’ll check and let you know in five minutes.”

Common Mistakes

English learners often make these mistakes when using these phrases. Avoid them to sound more natural.

Mistake 1: Using “revert” in casual settings

“Revert” is very formal. Do not use it with friends or close coworkers. It can sound stiff or strange.

Wrong: “Hey, I’ll revert to you later.”
Right: “Hey, I’ll get back to you later.”

Mistake 2: Mixing formal and casual tone

Do not use a very formal word in a casual sentence, or a casual word in a formal sentence. Keep the tone consistent.

Wrong: “I will investigate this and let you know.” (Mixes formal “investigate” with casual “let you know”)
Right: “I will investigate this and follow up with you.” (Both formal)

Mistake 3: Forgetting to specify a time

In formal situations, it is helpful to say when you will reply. “Shortly” is vague. Try to give a specific time.

Better: “I will look into the matter and get back to you by 5 PM today.”

Mistake 4: Using “circle back” too often

“Circle back” is trendy but can sound repetitive. Use it sparingly, especially in writing.

Better Alternatives for Specific Situations

Sometimes you need a phrase that fits a very specific context. Here are some alternatives.

When you need to check with another person

Formal: “I will consult with my team and revert to you.”
Casual: “Let me ask around and get back to you.”

When you need to read a document

Formal: “I will review the document and provide my feedback.”
Casual: “I’ll read it over and let you know what I think.”

When you need to verify data

Formal: “I will verify the figures and confirm them with you.”
Casual: “I’ll double-check the numbers and tell you.”

Mini Practice: Choose the Best Phrase

Test your understanding. Choose the best phrase for each situation. Answers are below.

Question 1: You are writing an email to a new client who asked about a product feature. What is the best formal phrase?
a) I’ll check and let you know.
b) I will investigate this and follow up with you.
c) Give me a moment to check.

Question 2: You are chatting with a coworker on Slack about a meeting time. What is the best casual phrase?
a) I will confirm the details and revert to you.
b) Please allow me some time to review this.
c) I’ll check and let you know.

Question 3: You are in a formal meeting and need to check a fact before answering. What should you say?
a) I’ll find out and circle back.
b) I will look into the matter and get back to you shortly.
c) Let me look into it and get back to you.

Question 4: You are texting a friend about weekend plans. What is the most natural phrase?
a) I will investigate this and follow up with you.
b) I will confirm the details and revert to you.
c) Let me check and get back to you.

Answers:
1. b) I will investigate this and follow up with you.
2. c) I’ll check and let you know.
3. b) I will look into the matter and get back to you shortly.
4. c) Let me check and get back to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use “I will check and get back to you” in a formal email?

Yes, but it is very simple. It is acceptable in many formal emails, especially if you add a time. For example: “I will check and get back to you by tomorrow.” However, for very formal situations, use a more polished phrase like “I will investigate this and follow up with you.”

2. What is the difference between “get back to you” and “revert to you”?

“Get back to you” is neutral and works in both formal and casual settings. “Revert to you” is very formal and is mostly used in business writing, especially in British and Asian English. Do not use “revert” in casual conversation.

3. Is “circle back” too informal for email?

“Circle back” is informal but acceptable in many modern workplaces. It is best for internal emails or messages to colleagues you know well. Avoid it in emails to clients or senior executives.

4. How do I say “I will check and get back to you” politely?

To be polite, add a word like “please” or “kindly” at the beginning, or specify a time. For example: “Please allow me some time to check, and I will get back to you.” Or: “I will check this and get back to you by the end of the day.”

For more helpful guides on choosing the right words for different situations, explore our Formal and Casual Versions section. If you need everyday polite phrases, visit our Polite Everyday Phrases page. For professional writing tips, check out Professional Email Alternatives. To learn more about how we create our content, please see our Editorial Policy.