10 Best Ways to Politely Ask Someone to Check (2024)

Being polite is fundamental in all situations (as long as you care about your manners). It’s important to know good ways to word certain requests to make sure you remain as friendly and polite as possible. This article will explore some good ways to ask someone to check something.

10 Best Ways to Politely Ask Someone to Check (1)

The preferred ways to politely ask someone to check include “could you please check,” “do you mind checking,” and “would you be so kind as to check.” They are all very simple phrases that don’t rely on overly formal language to convey the intention of the question.

Could You Please Check

“Could you please check” is a simple question, but it’s one of the most effective ones on this list. It works so well because of how easy it is to use. It doesn’t use bloated language, and it doesn’t try to come across as more formal than it needs.

“Could you please” is a simple way to ask someone’s permission to do something. “Check” is then the order that you’d like them to carry out. In this case, you’re asking for someone to look into something.

  • Could you please check this for me? I want to make sure I know what I’m doing here before I commit to anything.
  • I’m sorry. Could you please check again? I’m sure I left it around here, and I’d really love it if you could humor me one last time.
  • Could you please check, though? I know it’s around here somewhere. I could really do with your help in finding this.

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Do You Mind Checking

“Do you mind checking” is a great question to remain polite, but it’s the most informal question on this list. “Do you mind” is an informal question starter that works really well when you’re trying to get someone to help you out with something.

“Checking” is also used here rather than “check.” The gerund form of the verb is much better suited for this question style.

  • Do you mind checking again for me? I feel like I must be in the system, so it must be an error on your part if I’m not.
  • Do you mind checking, then? I know you’re a busy guy, but this would really help me out if you could just look into it.
  • Do you mind checking to help me out? I would love to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible to make sure I’m not missing anything.

Would You Be So Kind As To Check

“Would you be so kind as to check” is the next best question you can use. “Would you be so kind” can work well in many situations, though it’s best to use it if you’re speaking to someone that answers to you (i.e. an employee you know isn’t currently busy).

  • Would you be so kind as to check, please? I have a feeling that it’s somewhere around here, and I could really do with somebody’s help.
  • Oh, sorry. Would you be so kind as to check again? I know you’ve done it already, but I’d really like to be here this time.
  • Would you be so kind as to check? I think my name should be in the records somewhere. I’ll wait for as long as you need.

Could I Kindly Ask You To Check

“Could I kindly ask you to check” is a great way of asking whether someone can help out. It works really well because you check for permission with “could I kindly ask you” before finishing with the order “to check.”

“Kindly ask you” can also be changed around to suit the sentence’s structure. You could change the position of “kindly” to make sure you’re wording it in the appropriate way.

  • Could I kindly ask you to check what time your friend is meant to be coming? That would be very helpful for me to know.
  • Could I kindly ask you to check? I don’t want to cause any problems, but you would be doing me a great service by checking.
  • Could I kindly ask you to check? I know I have no right, but it would really help me out if you could give me a hand with this.

Would You Be So Kind As To Find Out

“Would you be so kind as to find out” is a good choice, though some people think it can sound passive-aggressive. “Would you be so kind” is a simple way of checking whether someone can do something, but it usually takes for granted the fact that they’re not busy.

  • Would you be so kind as to find out more about this? I feel like there’s something missing here. I’d love to get to the bottom of it.
  • Would you be so kind as to find out, please? I’m sure you’re busy, but this is quite an important task that needs to be sorted out.
  • Would you be so kind as to find out? I know you’ve already looked into it, but I’m sure that someone around here will be able to help.

I Would Like To Kindly Ask You To Check

“I would like to kindly ask you to check” is another question that can be reworded, depending on where you want to place “kindly.” Adverbs can move around to modify different parts of a question like this.

The position of “kindly” won’t have a profound impact on the question. It will remain polite no matter where you put it.

  • I would like to kindly ask you to check again for me. I know you’re busy, but I’m sure you can spare some time to get this done.
  • I would like to ask you kindly to check. I want to get to the bottom of this, and I think you might be the only person who can help.
  • I would like to ask you to kindly check again. I want to know for certain whether my ring is here. One last look is all it will take.

Do You Have A Moment To Check

Do you have a moment to check” is a very polite way to ask someone to look into something. It works really well because it keeps with the simple questioning language of “do you have.”

“A moment” is also common in polite questions like this. It checks to make sure that someone has the time to look into something. You won’t be able to remain polite if you say “can you check” when someone is far too busy with another task to do anything to help you.

  • Do you have a moment to check this for me? I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but it just doesn’t seem to make sense.
  • Sorry, but do you have a moment to check? I wanted to get this done so that my wife wouldn’t scream at me for it.
  • Do you have a moment to check? I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but I just want to clarify a few things.

Could I Ask You To Check That

“Could I ask you to check that” is a simple question that works well when you need help. “Could I ask you” is a way of getting someone’s permission to find out whether they’re going to be able to help you out.

Technically, “could I ask” is asking permission to ask a question. Since “ask you to check that” is already a question, it seems a bit counterintuitive to ask for permission for a question you’re already asking.

However, permission actually comes when someone responds. They will either say “yes” (they can check) or “no” (they can’t check). That’s how this question differs from the rest.

  • Could I ask you to check that again? I don’t think the system was working the way it was supposed to when you checked it the first time.
  • Could I ask you to check that, please? I’m quite busy, so the quicker you can get it done, the better off I’ll be.
  • Wait, could I ask you to check that? It doesn’t seem to be scanning me in, and I know that my card should still be registered to my account.

If You Don’t Mind, Could You Check

“If you don’t mind, could you check” is the last polite question you can use in this situation. “If you don’t mind” is always a polite way to set up a question if you want to build a good rapport with the person you’re asking.

Some people think that “if you don’t mind” is a bit uncertain. In most formal contexts, you’ll want to avoid sounding uncertain for any reason. In any other situation, a question like this is perfectly acceptable.

  • If you don’t mind, could you check this out for me? Something isn’t quite right about it, and I’d like to get to the bottom of it.
  • If you don’t mind, could you check again? I have a feeling that there’s something we’re missing here. I’d love to figure it out.
  • If you don’t mind, could you check for my ring one last time? I know I left it around here, and I’m just praying someone handed it in.

10 Best Ways to Politely Ask Someone to Check (2)

Martin Lassen

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.

Related posts:

  1. Is “Please Kindly” Correct? Explained For Beginners
  2. Is It Correct To Say “Kindly Request”? Explained For Beginners
  3. Is “May You Please Explain This” Grammatically Correct? Explained For Beginners
10 Best Ways to Politely Ask Someone to Check (2024)

FAQs

How do you politely ask someone to check? ›

Try one of these: I would like to kindly ask you to check ... Would you be so kind as to check ...

How do you politely ask for reply? ›

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 politely ask for more explanation? ›

There are a few simple steps to follow when you're looking for further explanation.
  1. Admit you need clarification. Admitting you need more information makes the next step much easier for the person you ask. ...
  2. Don't blame the other person. Own your confusion. ...
  3. Summarize. ...
  4. Be specific.
May 20, 2019

How do you say ask in a professional way? ›

General phrases for introducing a request for help
  1. “Could/Would you do me a favor?” — ...
  2. “Could I ask / bother you / trouble you…” — ...
  3. “Can you give me a hand with this?” — ...
  4. “Lend me a hand with this, will you?” — ...
  5. “Could you help me for a second?” — ...
  6. “Can I ask a favor?” — ...
  7. “Please, could I ask you for some advice?” —
Jul 7, 2022

How do you say please clarify in a nice way? ›

20 Email Expressions to Ask for Clarification
  1. If I understood you correctly, you would like me to...
  2. As previously stated…
  3. Could you please clarify what you meant by…?
  4. Sorry if I was unclear. ...
  5. As per my last email…
  6. Please let me know if I misunderstood. ...
  7. Please let me know how we can avoid this in the future.
Mar 17, 2021

How do you ask for politely and professionally? ›

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

How do you ask clarifying questions? ›

Guidelines for Clarifying

Ask for repetition. State what the speaker has said as you understand it, and check whether this is what they really said. Ask for specific examples. Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate.

How do you please politely? ›

We usually put please at the end of a request with could, can and would, but we can also put it at the beginning or in the middle. Please in the mid position makes the request stronger. Could you say that again, please? Would you say that again, please?

What to say instead of just wanted to check in? ›

20 “Just Checking In” Alternatives
  • “Let's catch up.” ...
  • “How is everything going?” ...
  • “I would love an update on this!” ...
  • Point Out Business Weaknesses. ...
  • Describe a Potential Opportunity. ...
  • Share a Relevant Article. ...
  • Respond on Social Media. ...
  • Reference a Recent Blog Post.
Jan 31, 2023

How do you say please in formal way? ›

Other alternatives to 'please' include: - I'd appreciate it if you could... - It would be great if you would... - I'd be grateful if you'd... - It would be a big help if you...

What is an example sentence for formal request? ›

Mary submitted a formal request but was told there was no room in the budget to grant automatic annual pay increases. The Ministry of Defence said no formal request for the troops had yet been received. For a formal request, employees have to propose the pattern of days they wish to work.

What can I say instead of kindly? ›

Synonyms of kindly
  • kind.
  • compassionate.
  • benevolent.
  • gracious.
  • sympathetic.
  • gentle.
  • thoughtful.
  • nice.

How do you ask someone in a fancy way? ›

How have you been getting on?” This phrase is British in origin. You can use this one when you are enquiring about someone's well-being. “How are things with you?” This can be used in neutral settings.

How can I politely tell someone that I m waiting for their response? ›

7 alternatives to “I look forward to hearing from you”
  1. 1 Use a call-to-action. ...
  2. 2 I'm eager to receive your feedback. ...
  3. 3 I appreciate your quick response. ...
  4. 4 Always happy to hear from you. ...
  5. 5 Keep me informed . . . ...
  6. 6 I await your immediate response. ...
  7. 7 Write soon!
Sep 3, 2021

What to say to someone that ignores you? ›

Texts to be sent to someone who's ignoring you
  • 01/6Texts to be sent to someone who's ignoring you. ...
  • 02/6“Are you alright? ...
  • 03/6“I'm here for you whenever you want to talk” ...
  • 04/6“I'm sad that we aren't talking right now” ...
  • 05/6“So this happened today…” ...
  • 06/6“I'm sorry and I respect your space”
Jun 2, 2021

What is it called when someone doesn't reply to you? ›

If someone can't or won't respond, we call them unresponsive.

How do I follow up without seeming desperate? ›

How To Follow Up Without Being Annoying
  1. Stay Positive.
  2. Send Short Reminders.
  3. Don't Give Up.
  4. Know What Time is Best.
  5. Remember the Details.
Jan 8, 2023

How do you ask a question without being annoying? ›

To avoid those consequences, here's some guidance on how to ask for advice without annoying the other person:
  1. Start with a positive tone. ...
  2. Identify the type of advice you're seeking. ...
  3. Come prepared with specific details. ...
  4. Ask the right person. ...
  5. Don't ask everyone. ...
  6. Don't assume you already know the answers. ...
  7. Be grateful.
Jul 9, 2019

What does it mean when someone takes too long to reply? ›

It's also possible they're busy or overwhelmed at work and don't have time to reply, or they keep opening up your messages without remembering to reply. No matter what excuses there may be, one fact usually remains true: The longer the lag, the less that person likely values the conversation.

How do you humbly ask for a favor? ›

Here are some tips on asking for favors:
  1. Be direct but polite. ...
  2. Don't make it sound bad. ...
  3. Avoid guilt. ...
  4. Don't cross the line. ...
  5. Show respect. ...
  6. Avoid constant one-sided favors. ...
  7. Be personal but straightforward. ...
  8. Take "No" for an answer.
Sep 3, 2021

How do you politely ask for a favor sentence? ›

Use these phrases to politely ask for a favor.
...
Could I ask / bother / trouble you + infinitive
  1. Could I ask you to help my brother?
  2. Could I bother you to give me a ride to work?
  3. Could I trouble you to open the door for me?
Sep 23, 2018

What do you say to ask for clarification? ›

Ask for clarification
  • Could you say it in another way?
  • Can you clarify that for me?
  • Could you rephrase that?
Jan 3, 2019

How to express lack of understanding and ask for clarification? ›

When you don't understand what someone has said, you can ask for clarification using the following expressions: What do you mean by...? Do you mean...? Could you say that again, please?

What are clarifying questions examples? ›

Examples of Clarifying Questions: Is this what you said…? What resources were used for the project? Did I hear you say…?

How do you say could you please professionally? ›

Some other phrases you could use are:
  1. Would it be possible to ...
  2. Please could you,
  3. Ideally, we'd like this by.
  4. If you could X, it would be very much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2016

What is an example sentence for clarification? ›

I called to get clarification on what she had done and to get some tips on surviving the audit. He had already seen the report on the X-ray done at Drymen, and had requested clarification of one point. I sought clarification on a point he had made at the press conference.

Do you ask question for clarification when you do not understand? ›

Clarifying questions are a good way to troubleshoot when you receive unclear instructions. Explaining a complex task can be difficult, so it is in the interest of both the speaker and the listener that the details of the task are entirely clear.

How do you ask someone to check in an email? ›

Requesting status updates
  1. 1 Ask. Drop the “checking in” wind-up and ask for an update politely and directly. ...
  2. 2 Open with context. ...
  3. 3 Send a friendly reminder. ...
  4. 5 Reference a blog post they (or their company) published. ...
  5. 6 Drop a name. ...
  6. 7 Recommend an event you're attending in their area.
Oct 20, 2022

How do you say politely just check in? ›

“How have things been going with [name a project or an issue you have previously discussed]?” “Could you give me a quick update on your assignment?” Alternatively, you can always simply say: “Hey, I'm just checking in to see how you are doing.”

How do you ask someone to pay something nicely? ›

Be direct in your approach but use professional and friendly language when doing so. Try to set up a messaging schedule so that your payment requests come across as simply professional conduct rather than pushy demands. In your emails, be sure to outline what they need to pay you and how they can make this payment.

What is a better way to say just following up? ›

You could try: “I'm following up on the below” or “Following up on this [request/question/assignment]” “I'm circling back on the below” or “Circling back on this [request/question/assignment]” “I'm checking in on the below” or “Checking in on this [request/question/assignment]”

What's another word for checking up? ›

check over. give the once-over. look upon. set at. size up.

How do you text someone to check in? ›

"I know you said you're not ready to talk. But I'm here when you are" This is the perfect text to send when a friend is being a bit distant, or taking time to focus on themselves. They'll find comfort in the fact they can dip out of their social life for a while, and still have you when they come back.

How do you tell someone to keep in touch professionally? ›

“If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to contact me — here's my number.” “What does your schedule for the upcoming month look like? We can meet again soon to discuss this further.” “If you want, we can stay in touch — let me add you on LinkedIn.”

How do you ask someone to pay without being rude? ›

Here are the best ways to ask for money back:
  1. Don't get confrontational. ...
  2. Drop hints about needing money. ...
  3. Highlight your own financial situation. ...
  4. Ask for money back in writing. ...
  5. Be flexible about receiving money back. ...
  6. Add a sense of urgency. ...
  7. Ask them to cover your half of the bill. ...
  8. Ask their parents.
Jul 6, 2022

How do you ask someone for money without sounding rude? ›

Here are a few best practices on how to ask someone for money politely.
  1. Be Honest And Open. It is crucial you're being honest about why you need the money. ...
  2. Have A Plan In Place. Coming up with a plan of attack to solve your financial situation is an essential item on your to-do list. ...
  3. Put It In Writing.
Nov 20, 2022

How do you remind someone to pay you professionally? ›

Include the following information in your payment reminders:
  1. Use clear subject lines.
  2. Re-attach the original invoice.
  3. Write in a friendly tone, even if payments are late.
  4. Make the payment due date clear, and reiterate the payment terms they agreed to.
  5. Remind them how they can pay, and list the payment methods you offer.
Jan 20, 2023

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