From time to time, you’ll get caught up in a conversation that you couldn’t care less about.
But saying I don’t care directly isn’t a particularly smart choice, especially when you’re in a professional setting.
In this article, we’ll show you how to professionally say I don’t care using 7 alternative phrases.
7 Alternative Ways to Say “I Don’t Care”
Check out these 8 examples of how to professionally say I don’t care:
- This is of no concern to me
- I don’t mind
- This is of no consequence
- It doesn’t matter
- I’m not worried
- I don’t think this applies to me
- That’s not a priority for me
1. This Is of No Concern to Me
The phrase this is of no concern to me is essentially a more professional way to say I don’t care when an employee shares information that you deem irrelevant.
This phrase isn’t rude per se, but it certainly comes across as stern and authoritative.
Therefore, you should only use this alternative if you are a senior member of your company speaking to a junior member.
Taking this tone with a superior would be very risky indeed!
Let’s see this phrase in an email sample:
Dear Timothy,
This is of no concern to me, but you can forward the matter to Recruitment if necessary.
Kind regards,
Harriet
2. I Don’t Mind
If you’re wondering how to say I don’t care nicely, I don’t mind is the best option.
This phrase gives the impression that you are flexible and easy-going. Conversely, I don’t care would make you seem indifferent.
We wouldn’t recommend using this phrase when speaking to a client. After all, your clients are probably looking to you for guidance and will expect clear answers.
However, it is perfectly suitable to say I don’t mind when a colleague has set out some options in front of you.
Saying I don’t mind will let your coworkers know that you are happy to accommodate them, which is sure to strengthen your rapport at work.
Consider the following email example:
Dear Saleh,
I don’t mind coming into the office tomorrow, but we could also do a video call.
Let me know what you’d prefer.
All the best,
Maryam
3. This Is of No Consequence
This is of no consequence is a more formal way to say I don’t care in a professional setting.
This alternative is clear and stern. However, it comes across as significantly less rude than I don’t care.
After all, the original phrase implies that you don’t give a hoot about an issue regardless of its importance.
This phrase, on the other hand, suggests that the issue itself is trivial and that no one should be worried about it.
Therefore, you can use this phrase to reassure a client that there’s no need to fixate on a matter.
As this phrase comes across as fairly authoritative, you should only use it if you are high up in your company’s hierarchy.
Check out this sample email to see what we mean:
Dear Mr. Daphne,
While I understand your concerns, I can assure you that this is of no consequence, as policy changes of this nature would not apply retroactively to your contract.
Sincerely,
Ameer Elayyan
4. It Doesn’t Matter
It doesn’t matter is a less fancy synonym for the phrase above.
Therefore, you can use this phrase to reassure an employee or anyone junior to you that an issue they are worried about is no big deal.
For instance:
Hi Selma,
It doesn’t matter which font you use as long as it’s very clear and legible.
Kind regards,
Valerie
5. I’m Not Worried
Another way to say I don’t care in a professional setting is I’m not worried.
This phrase is significantly more polite than the original.
After all, it suggests that you aren’t concerned about a matter. However, it doesn’t give the impression that you are completely indifferent to it.
This phrase is fairly casual, so you should avoid using it in a formal email to your boss or a client.
However, you can use this phrase to reassure a coworker that they shouldn’t worry about a problem because you aren’t worried about it. Rather, you have faith that things will work out.
Have a look at the email sample below:
Hi Lamar,
I’m not worried about the drop in sales, as it is a fairly standard trend around this time of year.
We’ll keep an eye on things, though!
All the best,
Kayla
6. I Don’t Think This Applies to Me
You can use the phrase I don’t think this applies to me when a colleague sends you an email you don’t care about.
Essentially, this phrase will let the other person know that you have no interest in the content of their message.
Therefore, this will dissuade them from sending any similar emails in the future.
In short, this phrase makes it clear that you are uninterested without being impolite.
Consider this email example:
Dear Patience,
Thank you for your email.
However, I don’t think this applies to me as I am not a member of that department.
Kind regards,
Lydia
7. That’s Not a Priority for Me
Our final alternative to I don’t care is the phrase that’s not a priority for me.
This phrase will let the other person know that you don’t particularly care about an issue they have raised because it is not important at present.
You can use this phrase when instructing an employee to let them know that they shouldn’t spend too much time on a particular issue.
Let’s see this phrase in our final example:
Dear Casper,
That’s not a priority for me, so I suggest you focus first on consulting with the client’s representatives.
Kind regards,
Warren
Is It Correct to Say “I Don’t Care”?
The phrase I don’t care is perfectly grammatically correct. However, it would be considered an inappropriate turn of phrase in most situations.
After all, saying I don’t care comes across as very abrupt, thoughtless, and rude. What’s more, it can be quite hurtful.
The only time this phrase comes across positively is when you are using it sincerely to quell someone’s concerns. For example:
I don’t care if you never want to play tennis with me again. Our friendship is more important to me than a silly game.
We would, therefore, recommend that you avoid this phrase even in casual conversations. Moreover, using it at work will make you appear unprofessional to clients, colleagues, and superiors.
Nevertheless, let’s look at a couple of examples of how one might use this phrase in an email. You can consider these as examples of what not to say at work:
Dear Molly,
I don’t care either way, so you can decide which route to take.
Regards,
Angus
Dear Sven,
In all honesty, I don’t care about your opinion on this, as litigation is nowhere near your area of expertise.
Regards,
Cecil
So, we know that I don’t care is a fairly unkind phrase that should best be avoided in general and specifically at work.
If you’re looking for a more polite way to say I don’t care in a professional or social setting, our list above is here to help!
