Sometimes, in order to get things done, you need swift communication from your boss, a colleague, or a client. But how can you go about asking for this without seeming impatient or demanding?
In this article, we’ll show you how to politely ask for a quick response in an email.
Have a look at these 10 alternative ways to ask for a prompt reply at work:
- I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible
- We would appreciate a response at your earliest availability
- I would be grateful for your prompt reply
- I would appreciate a response as soon as possible
- I look forward to hearing from you
- Please get back to me at your earliest convenience
- Please respond as soon as you are able
- I look forward to your timely response
- A prompt reply would be appreciated
- Thank you in advance for your quick response
1. I Would Appreciate a Reply as Soon as Possible
You can use the phrase I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible in a follow-up email. This is a polite way to ask for a quick response when you have applied for a new role and have received no reply.
It can be very stressful to be left in the dark about an application. Thus, you can use this phrase to politely request an update about your application from the hiring manager involved.
Consider the email sample below:
Dear Oliver,
I am writing to follow up regarding my application for the PA role.
As I was told I would have a response within three business days, I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Norma Banks
2. We Would Appreciate Your Response at Your Earliest Availability
You can say we would appreciate your response at your earliest availability when you are speaking on behalf of your organization in an urgent email to a client.
If it is pertinent that you obtain certain information from a client, you will want to be clear and firm in your email. However, it is still essential to be respectful and polite when you make your request.
The phrase “at your earliest availability” shows that there is some urgency. But when combined with “we would appreciate,” you can maintain a polite tone, nonetheless.
Therefore, let’s see an email example making use of this phrase:
Dear Mr. Conrad,
Your current contract is due to expire in 12 days. To renew your contract, we will need you to confirm your current address and registration number.
To avoid any additional contract fees, we would appreciate your response at your earliest availability.
Sincerely,
Claudia Charlson
3. I Would Be Grateful for Your Prompt Reply
If you’re unsure how to ask for a prompt reply from a member of another company, you can use the polite and friendly phrase, I would be grateful for your prompt reply.
When dealing with other professionals, it’s good to show that you value their time. After all, they don’t owe you anything! The inclusion of “I would be grateful” makes this phrase undemanding.
In short, you are saying that you would appreciate a quick response, and your polite tone will hopefully make the receiver amenable to getting back to you quickly.
Have a look at the example below:
Dear Rory,
As we have a client in common, my team would be interested in collaborating on this event so that both of our organizations can be represented.
As this offer is time sensitive, I would be grateful for your prompt reply.
Kind regards,
Ayomide
4. I Would Appreciate a Response as Soon as Possible
I would appreciate a response as soon as possible is essentially a slightly less formal variation of the phrase above.
You can use this phrase in an email to a colleague that you don’t know very well. For example, you may be working on a task together but usually belong to different departments.
This phrase shows that you would like a response rather urgently. However, the inclusion of “I would appreciate” makes it a touch more tentative.
It is clear that you are requesting a favor, and this phrase comes across as appropriately polite to prompt a quick response.
See how we’ve used this phrase in a sample email:
Dear Kwame,
I have drafted a memorandum for you to look at. I will happily adjust it according to your suggestions, but it needs to be handed in tomorrow morning.
Therefore, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible.
Regards,
Leanne
5. I Look Forward to Hearing From You
When you’re emailing your boss, it’s best not to sound too demanding. Thus, I look forward to hearing from you is a professional way to ask for a quick response from a superior.
This phrase lacks the urgency of some of the others on our list, which you may prefer when speaking to a superior.
Moreover, this phrase is very common in professional emails for its polite and approachable tone.
Check out the following email sample:
Dear Sinead,
I have attached my report for you to consider.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Katrina
6. Please Get Back to Me at Your Earliest Convenience
If you urgently need a response from a client, you can use the phrase please get back to me at your earliest convenience.
This phrase makes it clear that you need a prompt response from the client, but the inclusion of “please” adds some necessary politeness.
For instance:
Dear Miss Goldine,
I have received your request for a fee transfer, but I will need your current account details in order to carry out this request.
Please get back to me at your earliest convenience so that we can proceed.
Regards,
James Meekle
7. Please Respond as Soon as You Are Able
Another way to respectfully ask for a quick response is to say please respond as soon as you are able. You can use this phrase when you need important feedback from your employer before a big deadline.
The inclusion of “please” makes this phrase suitably polite for a message to a superior.
Moreover, saying “as soon as you are able” implies that you need a reply soon, but you aren’t demanding that your boss prioritize your request over the other tasks on their busy schedule.
Have a look at how we’ve used this phrase in an email example:
Dear Ms. Rochefort,
The final draft of our conference presentation is attached below.
Please respond as soon as you are able with any final critiques.
Regards,
Reega Lloyd
8. I Look Forward to Your Timely Response
If you want to politely instruct an employee to reply to your email, you can say I look forward to your timely response.
The inclusion of “timely” lets the employee know that you expect them to get back to you quickly. However, the rest of the phrase comes across as polite and approachable, which is great for maintaining a good rapport with your team.
Check out the following example:
Dear Mark,
I will need an update on the Leabman file by this afternoon.
I look forward to your timely response.
Regards,
Caroline
9. A Prompt Reply Would Be Appreciated
Another way to let an interviewer know that you would like to hear back about your job application is to follow up with the phrase a prompt reply would be appreciated.
This phrase is polite and tentative. However, the inclusion of “prompt” makes it clear that you would like a response soon.
Let’s see a sample email that includes this phrase:
Dear Cherise,
Thank you for the opportunity to interview last week. I would be interested to learn the outcome of our conversation or any further steps in the application process.
A prompt reply would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jasper Kemrose
10. Thank You in Advance for Your Quick Response
Another example of how to ask someone to respond quickly is not to ask at all. Rather, you can imply that you expect a quick response by pre-emptively thanking them with the phrase thank you in advance for your quick response.
This phrase lets the other person know that you are hoping to receive a prompt reply in a polite way.
Therefore, this is a safe option if you are speaking to a colleague that you don’t know very well. In short, it shows that you would appreciate a quick reply without being too demanding.
Have a look at the email sample below:
Dear Nancy,
I will need your signature on this before I can apply on the client’s behalf.
Thank you in advance for your quick response.
Regards,
Janine
