How to Say "I'll Get Back to You" Professionally in English
The correct phrase is "I'll get back to you," never a literal translation like "I come back to you." Add a specific timeframe to make it sound credible.
, 1 min read, Sales English
Key takeaways
- The correct phrase is "I'll get back to you," never a literal translation like "I come back to you," which doesn't work in this sense in English.
- Adding a specific timeframe ("by Friday," "within a couple of days") makes the phrase sound far more professional and credible than a vague "soon."
- "I'll follow up" and "I'll circle back" are common variants depending on context, but they don't mean exactly the same thing.
The correct phrase is "I'll get back to you" in professional English. It's the standard formula, used both in speech and in writing, whether in an email or at the end of a call.
The mistake to avoid
Never translate this literally as "I come back to you" or "I return to you." These phrases don't work in this sense in English; they'd suggest a physical return somewhere, not a reply that's coming.
Variants depending on context
To answer a specific question: "I'll get back to you on that by Friday."
To re-engage a conversation in general: "I'll follow up with you next week."
To give ongoing updates, not just one reply: "I'll keep you posted" or "I'll keep you updated."
To pick a topic back up that was paused: "Let me circle back to you on this."
Always add a specific timeframe
An "I'll get back to you" with no timeframe sounds vague, and worse, a bit like a polite way of promising nothing. Always add a concrete window:
- "I'll get back to you by end of day."
- "I'll get back to you within 24 hours."
- "I'll get back to you early next week."
A specific timeframe, even approximate, makes the phrase far more credible and professional than a plain "soon" or "shortly," which technically commit to nothing precise.
Quick reference
| Intent | Professional English |
|---|---|
| I'll get back to you | I'll get back to you |
| I'll follow up | I'll follow up |
| I'll keep you posted | I'll keep you posted |
| Let me revisit this | Let me circle back on this |
Default to "I'll get back to you [timeframe]" as your go-to phrase: it's the most widely used, the clearest, and the one that sounds most naturally professional in English.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you say 'I come back to you' in English?
- No, it doesn't work in this sense in professional English. Say "I'll get back to you" or "I'll follow up with you." "Come back" implies a physical return, not a reply to come.
- What's the difference between 'get back to you' and 'follow up'?
- "Get back to you" implies you owe an answer to a specific question. "Follow up" implies you'll re-engage or continue a conversation, even without a pending question.
- How do you say 'I'll keep you posted' professionally?
- "I'll keep you posted" or "I'll keep you updated" are exactly the standard phrasing for signaling ongoing updates, not just a single reply.