Checking in with the phrase have you had a chance to in a work email is fairly standard. However, is there a better, more polite option to use in a professional email?
We’ll address this question in the article below. Moreover, we’ll provide 10 alternative phrases that you can use to keep your work emails diverse and suitable for any context!
10 Alternative Ways to Say “Have You Had a Chance to”
Check out these 10 other ways to say have you had a chance to at work:
- Did you get a chance to
- When you get a chance
- Did you get the opportunity to
- Were you able to
- Did you manage to
- Have you [task] yet?
- Have you found time to
- Did you get time to
- Is [task] done?
- Did you happen to
1. Did You Get a Chance to
Did you get a chance to is simply a rephrasing of have you had a chance to, and you can use either one of these synonyms interchangeably.
Although you can use either phrase for the same purpose, did you get a chance to comes across as just a tad more casual than the original phrase.
Therefore, it’s a good option to use in an email to a colleague if you have a fairly close and friendly rapport in general.
To see what we mean, consider the email sample below:
Hi Ryan,
Did you get a chance to call the client this morning?
Let me know if they had any concerns.
All the best,
Shelby
2. When You Get a Chance
You can use when you get a chance to ask someone to complete a task that is not urgent. This phrase makes it clear that you need something done. However, the receiver doesn’t need to prioritize your task over the others on their agenda.
You can use this phrase to tentatively ask for something from a coworker, especially if you work in different departments and aren’t especially close.
Consider the example below:
Dear Moira,
Please forward Mr. Benson’s emails to me when you get a chance.
Thanks,
Theodore
3. Did You Get the Opportunity to
If you want to check in with your boss about something, it would be good to maintain a formal yet tentative register in your email.
Did you get the opportunity to is a polite way to ask for an update from a superior, perhaps regarding a request or suggestion you have made previously.
See how we’ve used this phrase in an email example:
Dear Rasheeda,
I hope you are well today.
Did you get the opportunity to consider my request for an additional account for Mr. Tulie?
I would like to get back to him with an answer soon.
Sincerely,
Josephine
4. Were You Able to
Another way to say have you had a chance to is were you able to. If you are checking in with a trainee or a new recruit at work, you can use this phrase to check whether they have managed to complete a task or assignment.
If you are speaking to a junior member of your team, it is best to be as plain and direct as possible. After all, they are new to the business world and may struggle with too much jargon or formal phrasing. They’ll catch on, but it’s good to keep things simple at first!
Therefore, it’s a good idea to use a to-the-point phrase like were you able to see how they are faring in their workday.
For instance:
Dear Sapphire,
Were you able to access the documents you needed?
Let me know if you had any trouble.
All the best,
Saaketh
5. Did You Manage to
You should use did you manage to with caution. After all, in some circumstances, it might come across as if you are doubting the other person’s ability to complete a certain task.
Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend using this phrase with a superior or with a colleague you aren’t close to. However, if you have a friendly dynamic with a colleague and they will understand your meaning because they know you, it is a safe, casual choice.
After all, you may be asking whether they “managed” something not because you doubt their abilities but because you know just how difficult a particular task is!
See the example below:
Hi Mohammed,
Did you manage to unearth the old files mentioned in my previous email?
Not a problem if they are lost to the world, but I figured it was worth a shot!
Best,
Sally
6. Have You [Task] Yet?
Have you [task] yet is another phrase that you should use cautiously, as it may sound a tad impatient if used in the wrong setting.
Therefore, you are probably better off using this phrase only when speaking to a coworker you are close with. After all, they probably won’t mind you being more direct and straightforward in your emails, as you are both very busy!
To see this phrase in action, check out the following sample email:
Hi Sophie,
Have you met with Ms. Carlson’s representatives yet?
I’d love to hear what they had to say about our idea.
All the best,
Howl
7. Have You Found Time to
You can use the phrase have you found time to as a different way to say have you had a chance to in an email to a trainee or junior member of the office.
This phrase is suitably formal to use in a reminder email to a new recruit, as it helps them to maintain a professional register in their correspondence as well.
Moreover, this is a good phrase to use if you assigned them a task that was not urgent but still should be completed soon.
Have a look at the following email sample:
Dear Trevor,
Have you found time to look at my email below?
Regards,
Emma
8. Did You Get Time to
Did you get time to is just a slightly more casual variation of the phrase above.
You can use this phrase in an email to a coworker with whom you have a friendly dynamic to check in on a task or project.
For example:
Hi Jasper,
Did you get time to look into this complaint from Mr. Lee?
Let me know.
Best,
Tracy
9. Is [Task] Done?
When you are speaking to a junior member of the team, it is good to be clear and straightforward when reminding them of a task you have assigned.
Therefore, you can simply ask is [task] done and proceed according to their response. If they’ve completed it, great! If not, you can remind them to get on it.
Let’s see this phrase in an email example:
Dear Daniel,
Is the presentation I asked for done?
If not, please read my email from yesterday to familiarize yourself with the instructions.
Regards,
Jade
10. Did You Happen to
Our final alternative to have you had a chance to is did you happen to. This is a polite and tentative phrase that you can use in an email to your employer or someone higher up in the work hierarchy.
It is a good way to check in on something without sounding demanding or impatient.
Moreover, it removes any urgency from the tone of your email. After all, the phrasing of did you happen to sounds as if something would be ideal but not especially necessary.
Therefore, let’s see this phrase in an email sample:
Dear Mr. Leef,
Did you happen to get a look at the client’s company registration number during the meeting yesterday?
If not, I will search for it in their file.
Sincerely,
Tabitha West
Is It Correct to Say “Have You Had a Chance to”?
The phrase have you had a chance to is perfectly correct and you can use it to tentatively check in on the progress of a task at work. This phrase is neither particularly formal nor informal.
However, it has a slightly casual tone and is best suited for correspondence with an equal or junior member at work, rather than a superior or a client.
Nonetheless, we’ve drafted two email examples showing you how you can use this phrase in practice:
Dear Molly,
Have you had a chance to look at the email below?
I think you will find it rather helpful.
Regards,
Sindiwe
Have you had a chance to is used to check in on how someone has progressed with something. If you want to check whether they would be able to complete a task in the future, you can rephrase it as have you got a chance to. For instance:
Hi Dylan,
Have you got a chance to review the document today?
Regards,
Chloe
