The 9 Best Ways to Politely Ask for Information in an Email (2023)

Asking for information in an email doesn't have to be rocket science. If you feel like you don't know the whole story or there are things you need more information about, let the recipient know. This article examines the best formal ways to ask for information.

The 9 Best Ways to Politely Ask for Information in an Email (1)

Preferred forms of questions are "Can you give me the details," "Can you give me the details," and "Would you give me the details?" These questions are straight to the point and let the recipient know that you want more information beforehand you continue.

Could you give me the details?

This question works very well for several reasons. It's the best way to request more information via email as it's polite and shows that you're looking for more details before making any final decisions.

"Please" is the key here. It should be included in every email or formal request to show that you would be grateful for their cooperation. It shows that you want to know more about them and ask politely.

  • Dear Albert,
  • Could you give me the details? I want to know everything before agreeing to something of this magnitude.
  • Your,
  • Susanne
  • No, Sr. Gear,
  • Could you give me the details? I'm not sure if I'll be available at the time you've given, but I'm hoping for the best.
  • All the best,
  • Kayleigh
  • Caro Kerry,
  • Could you give me the details? Is there anything else I need to fill in before proceeding?
  • Thanks,
  • Sara

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Could you provide the details?

"Can you provide the details?" is another good option. This time "please" was removed. That doesn't make the question any less polite, but more concise.

If you want to get straight to the point, this is the question to ask. It shows that you need more information or clarification before proceeding with what is discussed in the email.

  • Hallo Courtney,
  • Could you provide the details? I'm not sure I'll be of much help until I find out more about this.
  • All the best,
  • Harrison
  • Caro Dexter,
  • Could you please provide the details? I want to make sure I know what's going on before I say yes or no to you.
  • Thanks,
  • Sr. Morgan
  • Caro Owen,
  • Could you provide the details? I know we're working together here, so I'd like to know what you expect from me.
  • Your,
  • Sra Wilson

Do you mind sharing the details with me?

"Would you like to share the details with me?" asks someone's permission to share more information. "Do you mind?" is key here as it shows that you are asking if they are okay with letting you know more about it.

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If someone doesn't agree to tell you more, they don't have to. While it would be helpful for you to know more, know that they may not be able to give you any more information (ie if that information is confidential).

  • Dear Sir. more country,
  • Do you mind sharing the details with me? Before we proceed with that, I'd like a chance to understand what's going on.
  • Thanks,
  • Benny
  • Hello Marisa,
  • Do you mind sharing the details with me? Is there anything that needs to be set up before we cancontinuous worktogether?
  • All the best,
  • nuria
  • Caro Tommy,
  • Do you mind sharing the details with me? I haven't heard much about it from others. I have to study more.
  • Your,
  • Nicola

May I have more information please?

"May I have more information, please?" is a great question for formal emails. "Please" is included here again to show that you're trying to be as polite as possible. It shows that you respect the recipient.

If you feel you need to know more, you should.ask a questionlike this. It doesn't have to be too complicated. You can keep it simple as long as you need more information.

  • Dear Mr Thomas,
  • May I have more information please? I'd like to know more about this before dedicating my time to the project.
  • Thanks,
  • crisis
  • Dear Peter,
  • May I have more information please? Is there anything else you need to tell me first?
  • Your,
  • Emily
  • Hallo Lewis,
  • May I have more information please? I'm not sure I'll be a good candidate for this job until I have more information.
  • All the best,
  • Jo

Is there anything I should know?

"Is there anything I should know?" is a decent choice for a formal email. It works well because it shows that you need more information but are not sure what information it might be.

“Everything” works well here. It shows that you might need a little guidance, even if you're not sure what context that guidance might be in. If you find yourself in a situation completely blind or not sure what to expect, this question might help.

  • Caro Martin,
  • Is there anything I should know? I want to confirm the facts before imagining anything else.
  • Your,
  • Samantha
  • Hello Filipe,
  • Is there anything I should know? I want to make sure we're on the same page before I commit.
  • All the best,
  • Craig
  • Dear Abigail,
  • Is there anything I should know before proceeding? I would like to fully cooperate with you on this.
  • Thanks,
  • Jörg

What else can you tell me?

"What else can you tell me about this?" is a great question to get more information. If someone has already given you a lot of answers but you need a little more, this question works well.

  • Oi Ben,
  • What else can you tell me? Would you like to discuss more over lunch tomorrow?
  • All the best,
  • Abbie
  • Dear Melissa,
  • What else can you tell me? Hopefully we can clarify something before we move on to the next phase.
  • Your,
  • Julius
  • Caro Sr. Bean
  • What else can you tell me? I know you are busy but I would like to be kept informed please.
  • Thanks,
  • Stefan

Do you have any information that might help?

You haveAny info that might help?” works well in formal emails. It shows that you want some information to back up what you're talking to the other person in the email.

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The use of "any information" here means that you did not receive anything of value. It shows you have no idea what to expect from something, so I'd like a little clarification before proceeding.

  • Caro Sr. Smythe,
  • Do you have any information that might help? Anything you can provide now will be of great help!
  • Thanks,
  • Chrissi
  • Hallo Frau. Bristol,
  • Do you have any information that might help? I'm not sure what we need to do next, so I'd like to work closely with you.
  • All the best,
  • Bradley
  • Caro Ryan,
  • Do you have any information that might help? I want to make sure we have the details before we proceed.
  • Your,
  • Kim

Is there anything else you need to tell me?

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" is a great question to ask after someone has provided some information. If you think there's more that you haven't mentioned, this is a good question to get to the bottom of things.

If someone has more to say, they will usually reply to your email with that information. By asking this question, you let the other person know that they still have a chance to tell you all the details.

  • Caro Parker,
  • Is there anything else you need to tell me? I would like to know more about what this project entails.
  • Your,
  • Ricardo
  • Dear Mrs,
  • Is there anything else you need to tell me? I'm not sure if I already have all the information. you would really help me
  • Thanks,
  • Proceedings
  • Hi Brent,
  • Is there anything else you need to tell me? I'd like to know what's going on here before I say yes to anything.
  • All the best,
  • Curtis

What else can you say?

"What can you say?" It's fine for formal emails, but it's the most informal option on this list. He asks for more information without saying it too directly.

If you think someone can shed more light on a situation then this might be a good question. It shows that you believe that you don't have all the information right now and that you still have some more to learn.

  • Dear Elsie,
  • What else can you say? I would like to have as much information as possible before confirming anything else.
  • Thanks,
  • Sam
  • Dear Mrs. beckett,
  • Before you agree, what else can you say? I would like to know more about why you started this project.
  • Your,
  • Darren
  • hey Jo,
  • What else can you say about itall this? I think there are some gaps. It would be nice if you could fill them in for me.
  • All the best,
  • Katie

The 9 Best Ways to Politely Ask for Information in an Email (2)

let martin

Martin has a Master's degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with customers, executives and colleagues. He also has teaching experience at Aarhus University. Martin has been touted as an expert in communication and teachingForbeseShopify.Read more about MartinHere.

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FAQs

How do you politely ask for more information in an email? ›

Asking for information
  1. I am writing to enquire about…
  2. I would be grateful if you could give me some information/further details about…
  3. I would appreciate some information about…
  4. I would be interested to receive further details about…

How to respond politely and professionally to an email requesting information? ›

How to write a response email
  1. Respond quickly. ...
  2. Start with a greeting. ...
  3. Reply to questions or concerns in separate lines. ...
  4. Ask for confirmation of understanding. ...
  5. Include closing remarks and your signature.
Apr 13, 2021

How do you ask a question to get more information? ›

Here are nine tips on how you can start asking better questions:
  1. Be a good listener. ...
  2. Don't be afraid of your questions. ...
  3. Do your research. ...
  4. Go where the conversation takes you. ...
  5. Use silence to your advantage. ...
  6. Ask probing questions. ...
  7. Keep your questions short. ...
  8. Get your sequence right.

How do you politely chase a response? ›

Here are some key things to keep in mind when you reach out to someone for the second (or third, or fourth) time.
  1. Have a compelling subject line. ...
  2. Be mindful of your tone. ...
  3. Keep it short and use simple language. ...
  4. Make a clear ask. ...
  5. Give them an out. ...
  6. Be judiciously persistent.
Jan 13, 2021

How do you respond politely to a request example? ›

Knowing how to make a polite request is important.
...
Instead of yes, you can say:
  1. Yes I can/Yes, sure thing.
  2. Yes of course!/Of course I will.
  3. Yes I can. It's this way.
  4. Sure. It's 10am.
  5. Sure thing!
  6. I can certainly do that for you.
  7. Yes here you go!/Sure, here you go.
  8. OK I will.
Dec 7, 2021

How do you politely ask someone to answer a question? ›

Direct questions can seem abrupt or even impolite at times, especially when asked by a stranger.
...
Key Words That Make Direct Questions More Polite
  1. Excuse me, could you help me pick this up?
  2. Pardon me, could you help me?
  3. Pardon me, could you give me a hand?
  4. Could you explain this to me?
Aug 23, 2019

What phrases can you use to ask for information? ›

5 English Phrases for Asking for Information
  • Can you tell me…? Could you tell me…?
  • Can anyone tell me…? / Could anyone tell me…?
  • Do you know…?
  • Do you have any idea…? Do you happen to know…?
  • I wonder if you could tell me…

How do you ask a question in a smart way? ›

How to ask smart questions
  1. Think about what you already know. Reviewing your existing knowledge on a subject can help you pinpoint any gaps. ...
  2. Confirm what you want to learn. ...
  3. Create a draft of your questions. ...
  4. Refine your questions. ...
  5. Ensure simplicity. ...
  6. Ask your questions confidently and politely.
Oct 18, 2021

How do you ask questions without confrontational? ›

Preface your inquiry with a statement such as “I'm confused,” or “Help me understand.” Saying, “I'm confused about how that improves the process,” or “Help me understand why that is a priority,” makes it clear that you have a question and are not challenging a task or directive.

How do you say ask in a formal way? ›

  1. request.
  2. invite.
  3. beg.
  4. implore.
  5. pray.
  6. call on.
  7. petition.
  8. solicit.

How do you request a quick response professionally? ›

Immediately / without further delay

As this matter is urgent, I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible.” “I would be grateful for your prompt reply.” “I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.” “I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.” (Slightly old-fashioned.)

How do you say please respond ASAP professionally? ›

Requests that include “as soon as possible” (or the ubiquitous acronym ASAP) can come across as rude.
...
Consider these alternatives:
  1. As soon as possible, or _____. ...
  2. Promptly. ...
  3. At your earliest convenience. ...
  4. Whenever you're able.
May 21, 2019

How do you start an email request sample? ›

Other examples of requests
  1. I would also be grateful if you could send me … .
  2. I would therefore be grateful if you could send me … .
  3. Could you therefore please send me … ?
  4. Could you therefore send me … ?
  5. Could you also send me … ?

How do you write a formal request example? ›

"I would like to request something." Example, "I would like to request your attendance at the meeting." This is a formal sentence which means, "Please come to the meeting." I would like to request. You can imagine this as meaning, "I want" or "I need" or "Please do this." "I would like to request something.

How do you ask someone to do something at work email? ›

Explain the reason for the request. Give a deadline when possible. Give dates clearly. Make your request polite by starting it with Do you think you could … ? or I would be grateful if you/we/I could … .

How do you ask a question on humbly? ›

Humble Inquiry is basically asking questions you don't already have an answer to (as opposed to leading questions to get the other person to confirm what you are thinking or assume) and listening instead to what the other person has to say.

How do you say please let me know if you need more information? ›

Here are some suggestions and possibilities.
  • If there is anything else you need, please, let me know.
  • If I can be of any further assistance, please, let me know.
  • If there is anything else I can do for you, please, don't hesitate to let me know.
  • Please, feel free to let me know if you require any further information.

How do you say if you need more information let me know? ›

Expressions for showing them you want to help

If you require any further information, feel free to contact me. If you require any further information, let me know. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information. Please let me know if you have any questions.

How do you politely ask for an update? ›

Requesting status updates
  1. 1 Ask.
  2. 2 Open with context.
  3. 3 Send a friendly reminder.
  4. 4 Offer something of value.
  5. 5 Reference a blog post they (or their company) published.
  6. 6 Drop a name.
  7. 7 Recommend an event you're attending in their area.
Oct 20, 2022

What to say instead of please let me know if you have any questions? ›

What to say instead of “Let me know if you have any questions”
  • “Please let me know if you have any questions.”
  • “If you have any other problems, just let me know.”
  • “If there is anything else you need, please let me know.”
Jul 19, 2018

How do you say let me know professionally? ›

Please advise is mostly used in formal and professional settings.
...
If you want a more friendly and casual alternative, try any of these:
  1. Please let me know. This phrase is a casual way of saying please keep me informed. ...
  2. Please keep me posted. ...
  3. Please get back to me. ...
  4. Please fill me in. ...
  5. Please keep me in the loop.

Which words can you use to ask requests very politely? ›

Here are some better phrases to make polite requests in English:
  • “Do you mind…?.”
  • “Would you mind…?
  • “Could I…?”
  • “Would it be ok if…?”
  • “Would it be possible…?”
  • “Would you be willing to…?”

What is a professional way to say for your information? ›

Fyi is commonly used, even in professional communication, to indicate that a message or a part of a message is for informational purposes only and doesn't require any action. This is why you'll often see fyi in email subjects.

What is a better way to say for your information? ›

Alternatives to FYI

"I wanted to let you know I am taking a vacation day next week." "Just so you're aware, we will start the presentation in five minutes." "Letting you know I may be a few minutes late to the movie."

What are the phrases used for asking information? ›

Structure: I wonder if you could + tell me/explain/provide information on... I wonder if you could explain how health insurance is handled at your company. I wonder if you could provide information on your pricing structure. Would you mind telling me a little bit more about benefits at this company?

How do you ask for updates without sounding pushy? ›

Would it be possible to receive an update on the project's current status? We're looking forward to making some good progress. Such an email works great if you want to make it clear that you're trying to follow up on the status of your project without making the other party feel like you're making a demand.

How do you ask for updates without being annoying? ›

How to Follow Up on an Email (Without Being Annoying)
  1. Be friendly, humble, and polite. It's easy to get frustrated when someone doesn't seem like they're being considerate of your time. ...
  2. Give it time. People are busy, now more than ever before. ...
  3. Keep it brief and to the point. ...
  4. Make it skimmable. ...
  5. Automate it.

How do you follow up professionally? ›

Here are some key things to keep in mind when you reach out to someone for the second (or third, or fourth) time.
  1. Have a compelling subject line. ...
  2. Be mindful of your tone. ...
  3. Keep it short and use simple language. ...
  4. Make a clear ask. ...
  5. Give them an out. ...
  6. Be judiciously persistent.
Jan 13, 2021

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