Is ‘I am following up’ Correct in a Professional Email?
Yes, “I am following up” is correct in a professional email when you want to check on the status of a previous request, remind someone about an earlier conversation, or ask for an update. It is a standard, polite, and widely accepted phrase in workplace communication. However, its tone and effectiveness depend on the context, your relationship with the recipient, and how you structure the rest of the sentence. This guide explains exactly when to use it, when to choose a different phrase, and how to avoid common mistakes that can make your email sound pushy or unclear.
Quick Answer: Can You Use ‘I am following up’?
Yes, you can use “I am following up” in professional emails. It is a neutral-to-polite phrase that works well in most business situations. Use it when you have already contacted someone and need a response or an update. For example:
- Correct: “I am following up on the proposal I sent last Tuesday.”
- Correct: “I am following up regarding our meeting yesterday.”
- Correct: “I am following up to see if you have any questions about the report.”
The phrase is not too formal or too casual. It fits standard email communication, especially in office settings, client correspondence, and project management. Avoid using it in very formal legal documents or extremely casual text messages to close friends.
Understanding the Tone and Context
Formal vs. Informal Tone
“I am following up” sits in the middle of the formality scale. It is more formal than “Just checking in” or “Any news?” but less formal than “I am writing to inquire about the status of…” or “This is a gentle reminder regarding…”
| Formality Level | Example Phrase | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Very Formal | “I am writing to inquire about the status of…” | Official letters, legal correspondence, senior executives |
| Neutral / Professional | “I am following up on…” | Most business emails, client communication, colleagues |
| Casual / Friendly | “Just checking in on…” | Close coworkers, ongoing team projects, informal settings |
If you are emailing a new client, a senior manager, or someone you do not know well, “I am following up” is a safe and appropriate choice. For a teammate you talk to every day, you might use a shorter version like “Following up on this.”
Email vs. Conversation Context
In email, “I am following up” is very common and natural. It signals that you are continuing a previous conversation thread. In spoken conversation, it can sound slightly formal. In a meeting or a quick chat, you might say “Just following up on what we discussed” or “I wanted to check on that thing we talked about.”
Natural Examples
Here are real-world examples showing how to use “I am following up” correctly in different professional situations.
Example 1: Following Up on a Proposal
Subject: Follow-up on Marketing Proposal
Body: “Dear Ms. Chen, I am following up on the marketing proposal I sent on March 10. I would appreciate any feedback or questions you might have. Please let me know if you need additional information.”
Example 2: Following Up After a Meeting
Subject: Recap and Next Steps
Body: “Hi Tom, I am following up on our meeting yesterday about the software update. I have attached the action items we discussed. Could you confirm if the timeline works for your team?”
Example 3: Following Up on a Job Application
Subject: Application for Senior Analyst Position
Body: “Dear Hiring Team, I am following up on my application submitted on March 5 for the Senior Analyst role. I remain very interested in the position and would be happy to provide any additional materials.”
Example 4: Following Up on an Invoice
Subject: Invoice #4521 – Payment Status
Body: “Hello Sarah, I am following up regarding invoice #4521, which was due on March 20. Please let me know if there are any issues with the payment or if you need a copy resent.”
Common Mistakes with ‘I am following up’
Even though the phrase itself is correct, learners often make mistakes in how they use it. Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using It Without Context
Incorrect: “I am following up.” (Alone, this is vague and confusing.)
Correct: “I am following up on the budget report we discussed last week.”
Mistake 2: Adding Unnecessary Words
Incorrect: “I am following up in regards to the matter of the contract.” (Too wordy.)
Correct: “I am following up on the contract.”
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Preposition
Incorrect: “I am following up for the meeting notes.”
Correct: “I am following up on the meeting notes.”
Mistake 4: Sounding Too Demanding
Incorrect: “I am following up. I need an answer today.” (Pushy and rude.)
Correct: “I am following up on my previous email. I would appreciate an update when you have a moment.”
Mistake 5: Using It for First-Time Contact
Incorrect: “I am following up on your services.” (If you have never contacted them before, you cannot follow up.)
Correct: “I am interested in learning more about your services.”
Better Alternatives to ‘I am following up’
Depending on the situation, you might choose a different phrase. Here are strong alternatives and when to use them.
| Alternative Phrase | When to Use It | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Just checking in” | Casual or friendly follow-ups with colleagues | “Just checking in on the design draft.” |
| “I wanted to touch base” | Soft follow-up, checking alignment | “I wanted to touch base on the project timeline.” |
| “This is a gentle reminder” | Polite nudge for overdue items | “This is a gentle reminder about the expense report.” |
| “I am circling back” | Returning to a previous topic after a pause | “I am circling back on the vendor selection.” |
| “Could you provide an update?” | Direct but polite request for status | “Could you provide an update on the client feedback?” |
Use “I am following up” when you want a clear, professional, and neutral tone. Use the alternatives when you need to adjust the formality or urgency.
When to Use ‘I am following up’
This phrase works best in these specific situations:
- After sending a proposal or quote: “I am following up on the proposal I sent last week.”
- After a meeting or call: “I am following up on the action items from our call.”
- When waiting for a decision: “I am following up to see if you have made a decision on the budget.”
- When checking on a request: “I am following up on the IT support ticket I submitted.”
- When a deadline has passed: “I am following up on the report that was due yesterday.”
Do not use it when you are contacting someone for the first time, when the topic is very sensitive (use a softer approach), or when you need an immediate answer (use a more direct phrase).
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the best option for each situation. Answers are below.
Question 1: You sent a contract to a client three days ago. You want a polite update. What do you write?
A) “I am following up on the contract I sent on Monday.”
B) “I am following up.”
C) “Give me an update on the contract.”
Question 2: You are emailing a close teammate about a task you discussed yesterday. Which is best?
A) “I am following up on the task from yesterday.”
B) “Just checking in on that task from yesterday.”
C) “I am writing to inquire about the status of the task.”
Question 3: You have never contacted this person before. You want to ask about their services. What do you write?
A) “I am following up on your services.”
B) “I am interested in learning about your services.”
C) “Following up on your services.”
Question 4: You need to remind your boss about an overdue approval. Which is most professional?
A) “I am following up on the approval request from last week.”
B) “You forgot to approve my request.”
C) “Following up.”
Answers:
1. A – It is specific and polite.
2. B – For a close teammate, “Just checking in” is more natural.
3. B – You cannot follow up on a first contact.
4. A – It is professional and clear without being rude.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “I am following up” grammatically correct?
Yes, it is grammatically correct. It uses the present continuous tense, which is appropriate for an action that is happening now or around now. In email, it signals that you are currently in the process of following up on something.
2. Can I use “I am following up” in a formal email?
Yes, it works in most formal emails. For very formal situations, such as legal correspondence or official government letters, you might prefer “I am writing to follow up” or “This letter serves as a follow-up.”
3. What is the difference between “I am following up” and “I will follow up”?
“I am following up” means you are doing it now or in this email. “I will follow up” means you plan to do it later. For example: “I am following up on your request” (this email is the follow-up). “I will follow up with you next week” (you will contact them later).
4. Should I use “follow up” or “follow-up”?
Use “follow up” as a verb phrase: “I am following up on the report.” Use “follow-up” as a noun or adjective: “This is a follow-up email” or “I sent a follow-up.” The hyphen is important for the noun and adjective forms.
Final Tip for Professional Emails
When you use “I am following up,” always include a specific reference to what you are following up on. Add a clear call to action so the reader knows what you need. For example: “I am following up on the design files. Could you please confirm when you expect to have them ready?” This makes your email helpful, not annoying.
For more guidance on professional email language, visit our Email Phrase Corrections section. If you have questions about other common verb mistakes, check our Grammar Accuracy Checks page. For help with spoken English, see our Speaking Mistake Fixes category. You can also explore Better English Corrections for broader writing improvement. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
