How to say "I don't know" at work: 9 professional lines
Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz.
At work, don't stop at "I don't know." Say "That's a good question" to give yourself a moment to think. Then say "Let me look into it" or "Let me get back to you" to promise that you will check and answer later. For example, "That's a good question. Let me look into it and get back to you" sounds calm and helpful, and you're still being honest.
Watch the Short
Nadia asks Theo how big the client's budget is for the new logo. Theo just says "I don't know," and Nadia answers with a flat "Okay. Great. Thanks." When Theo tries again with "That's a good question. Let me look into it and get back to you," Nadia says, "Look at you. So professional."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XfJuEd7bzig
The lines at a glance
- That's a good question (Polite, buys time)
- Let me look into it (Calm and helpful)
- Let me get back to you (Professional promise)
- I'm not sure, but I'll find out. (Honest and proactive)
- I'll need to check on that. (Neutral, businesslike)
- I don't have that information right now. (Direct and factual)
- Let me double-check and confirm. (Careful, reliable)
- I'll get you an answer by tomorrow. (Confident, committed)
- Who would be the best person to ask? (Helpful, collaborative)
1. That's a good question
Tone: Polite, buys time
Use it when someone asks something you can't answer right away and you need a moment to think. Don't use it for every simple question, or people may feel you are avoiding the answer.
In the film Deja Vu (2006):
That's a good question.
For example:
A: When does the new contract start?
B: That's a good question. I think it's next month, but I'll confirm.
2. Let me look into it
Tone: Calm and helpful
Use it when you need to check something carefully before you answer. "Look into" means investigate or check. Say it only if you really plan to check.
In the film At Eternity's Gate (2018):
Let me look into it.
For example:
A: Why didn't the invoice go out on Friday?
B: I'm not sure. Let me look into it.
A: Thanks, that would help.
3. Let me get back to you
Tone: Professional promise
Use it when you will answer later, after you find the information. It's a promise, so follow up. Adding a time, like "by Thursday," makes it stronger.
In the film The Rugrats Movie (1998):
Let me get back to you.
For example:
A: Can we move the meeting to Wednesday?
B: Let me get back to you. I need to check my calendar.
4. I'm not sure, but I'll find out.
Tone: Honest and proactive
Use it when you want to admit you don't know and show you'll take action. It works with managers, clients, and coworkers.
For example:
A: Is the office open on the holiday?
B: I'm not sure, but I'll find out.
5. I'll need to check on that.
Tone: Neutral, businesslike
Use it when the answer depends on information from someone else or from a system. It's fine in emails and on the phone.
For example:
A: Is the order already shipped?
B: I'll need to check on that. Can I call you back in ten minutes?
6. I don't have that information right now.
Tone: Direct and factual
Use it when you clearly don't have the data with you. Follow it with what you'll do next, or it can sound like a closed door.
For example:
A: What were last quarter's sales in Spain?
B: I don't have that information right now. I'll send it after lunch.
7. Let me double-check and confirm.
Tone: Careful, reliable
Use it when you think you know the answer but want to be certain. It is good for numbers, dates, and prices, where a wrong answer causes problems.
For example:
A: Is the deadline the 15th?
B: I think so. Let me double-check and confirm.
8. I'll get you an answer by tomorrow.
Tone: Confident, committed
Use it when you can give a clear time. Only promise a time you can keep.
For example:
A: Do we have budget for a second designer?
B: I'll get you an answer by tomorrow.
A: Perfect.
9. Who would be the best person to ask?
Tone: Helpful, collaborative
Use it when the question belongs to another team or person. It shows you want to help, even if you aren't the right person.
For example:
A: How do I get access to the shared drive?
B: I don't know. Who would be the best person to ask? Maybe IT?
Common mistakes
Not quite: I'll get back you tomorrow.
Better: I'll get back to you tomorrow.
The phrasal verb is "get back to" someone. Without "to," the sentence is not correct, and it can sound like "get you back."
Not quite: Let me look at it. (meaning: let me investigate)
Better: Let me look into it.
"Look at" usually means to see or quickly read something. "Look into" means to investigate or check carefully, which is what you mean when you don't know the answer.
Not quite: That's a good question. (and then nothing more)
Better: That's a good question. Let me look into it.
"That's a good question" only buys time. If you don't add an answer or a next step, people may feel you are avoiding the question.
Quick quiz
1. Your manager asks a question and you need a few seconds to think. Which line fits best?
- That's a good question.
- Let me get back to you.
- I'll get you an answer by tomorrow.
2. What does "look into" mean in "Let me look into it"?
- Look through a window
- Check or investigate carefully
- Ignore for now
- Look at quickly
3. What does "Let me get back to you" promise?
- You will return to the office
- You will answer later
- You will repeat the question
- You disagree
4. Which sentence is correct?
- I'll get back you on that.
- I'll get back to you on that.
- I'll get to back you on that.
5. A client asks for a price you think you know, but you're not certain. Which line is the most careful?
- I don't know.
- Let me double-check and confirm.
- That's a good question.
Practise with MicroEnglish lessons
- Get back to: Learn more ways to use "get back to," the phrasal verb in "Let me get back to you."
- Look into: Practice "look into," the phrasal verb in "Let me look into it."
- English speaking practice: build clear responses: Practice building clear, useful spoken answers, including when you need time to reply.
Questions learners ask
Is it rude to say "I don't know" at work?
It isn't rude, but alone it can sound like the end of the conversation. In the Short, Nadia replies with a flat "Okay. Great. Thanks." Add a next step, like "Let me look into it," so the other person knows you'll help.
What's the difference between "get back to you" and "call you back"?
"Call you back" means you'll phone again. "Get back to you" means you'll answer later in any way: email, chat, a call, or in person. At work, "get back to you" is more common because it doesn't fix the channel.
Can I use "That's a good question" in a job interview?
Yes. It gives you a moment to think, and that's normal in an interview. Then give a real answer. If you use it for every question, it starts to sound like a habit or a way to avoid answering.
How do I say "I don't know" in a work email?
Use a written version like "I'll need to check on that" or "I don't have that information right now, but I'll get back to you by Friday." A clear time makes the reply sound reliable. Then send the answer when you said you would.
Quiz answers
- That's a good question. It gives you a moment to think before you answer.
- Check or investigate carefully. "Look into" means to investigate something so you can find the answer.
- You will answer later. "Get back to" someone means to contact them again with an answer.
- I'll get back to you on that. The phrasal verb is "get back to" followed by the person.
- Let me double-check and confirm. It shows that you'll make sure before you give a number.
Film lines are short quotes for language teaching; the dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Nadia and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow. More from MicroEnglish: all our channels.
Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz.
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