Yes, “I am following up” is grammatically correct and commonly used in professional emails, but it is not always the best choice. The phrase is perfectly fine when you are checking on the status of a previous request, reminding someone about an unanswered message, or continuing a conversation. However, it can sound slightly informal or vague in very formal or high-stakes business communication. The key is knowing when to use it and when to choose a more direct or polished alternative.
Quick Answer: When to Use “I am following up”
Use “I am following up” in these situations:
- Checking progress: You sent a proposal last week and want to know if it has been reviewed.
- Reminding politely: You emailed a colleague about a meeting time and received no reply.
- Continuing a thread: You are adding new information to a previous conversation.
Avoid it when:
- The email is very formal (e.g., to a senior executive or external client you do not know well).
- You need to be extremely direct about a deadline or urgent matter.
- You have already followed up multiple times without response.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
“I am following up” sits in the middle of the formality scale. It is not as casual as “Just checking in” or “Hey, any update?” but it is also not as formal as “I am writing to inquire about the status of” or “I would appreciate an update regarding.”
| Tone Level | Example Phrase | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Very Formal | “I am writing to inquire about the status of…” | External clients, senior management, legal matters |
| Neutral / Professional | “I am following up on…” | Most workplace emails, colleagues, regular clients |
| Casual | “Just checking in on…” | Close teammates, informal projects, quick chats |
Email vs. Conversation Context
In email, “I am following up” works well as a subject line or opening sentence. It signals clearly that this is not a new topic. In spoken conversation, the phrase can sound slightly stiff. In a meeting or phone call, you might say “I wanted to follow up on what we discussed last time” or simply “Any update on that?”
Common Nuance to Notice
When you write “I am following up,” you imply that you expect the other person to have taken some action or to have information ready. If you use it too often, it can sound impatient or pushy. To soften the tone, add a polite reason: “I am following up on my previous email to see if you need any additional details from me.”
Natural Examples
Here are realistic examples of “I am following up” in professional emails:
- Subject: Follow-up on Q3 report
Body: “Dear Ms. Chen, I am following up on the Q3 report I submitted last Tuesday. Please let me know if you have any questions or require revisions.” - Subject: Checking in on proposal
Body: “Hi Tom, I am following up on the proposal we discussed during the meeting on Monday. Have you had a chance to review it?” - Subject: Follow-up: Invoice #4521
Body: “Dear Accounts Team, I am following up on invoice #4521, which was sent on March 3. Could you confirm the payment schedule?” - Subject: Re: Project timeline
Body: “Hello Sarah, I am following up on the timeline adjustments we talked about. Do you have an updated version ready?”
Common Mistakes
English learners often make these errors when using “I am following up”:
- Mistake 1: “I am following up for the report.”
Correction: “I am following up on the report.” Use “on” not “for.” - Mistake 2: “I am following up about the meeting.”
Correction: “I am following up on the meeting.” “About” is not wrong, but “on” is more standard in professional writing. - Mistake 3: “I am following up regarding to your email.”
Correction: “I am following up regarding your email.” Drop “to” after “regarding.” - Mistake 4: Using it when you have never contacted the person before. “I am following up” implies a previous conversation. If this is your first email, say “I am reaching out” or “I am writing to introduce myself.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Depending on the situation, one of these alternatives may be more effective than “I am following up”:
| Alternative Phrase | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| “I am checking in on…” | Slightly softer, good for ongoing projects or team updates |
| “I wanted to touch base about…” | Friendly and collaborative, good for internal communication |
| “I am writing to follow up on…” | More formal and complete, good for external clients |
| “Could you provide an update on…” | Direct and polite, good when you need a clear answer |
| “Just circling back on…” | Casual but professional, good for quick reminders |
When to Use “I am following up”
Stick with “I am following up” when you want a neutral, clear, and widely understood phrase. It is safe for most workplace situations and does not carry strong emotional weight. It is especially good for follow-ups that are routine, such as checking on a document submission or confirming receipt of information.
Mini Practice: 4 Questions
Test your understanding. Choose the best option for each situation.
- You are emailing a client you have never met about a proposal you sent yesterday. Which opening is most appropriate?
a) “I am following up on the proposal.”
b) “Hey, any news?”
c) “I am writing to follow up on the proposal I sent yesterday.”Answer: c) This is more complete and polite for a first-time client.
- You need to remind a close colleague about a shared task. Which is best?
a) “I am following up on the task we discussed.”
b) “I am writing to formally inquire about the status of the task.”
c) “Just checking in on that task we talked about.”Answer: a) or c) both work. Option a is neutral, option c is more casual. Choose based on your relationship.
- Which preposition is correct? “I am following up ___ your request.”
a) for
b) on
c) toAnswer: b) “on” is the standard preposition.
- You have already sent three follow-up emails with no reply. What should you do?
a) Send another “I am following up” email.
b) Call the person or try a different approach.
c) Use a more formal phrase like “I would appreciate a response.”Answer: b) Repeated follow-ups without response require a change in method, not just different wording.
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 because you are performing the action of following up at the time of writing the email.
2. Can I use “I am following up” in a subject line?
Yes, it is common to write “Follow-up: [topic]” or “Following up on [topic]” in the subject line. This helps the recipient immediately understand the purpose of your email.
3. What is the difference between “follow up” and “follow-up”?
“Follow up” (two words) is a verb phrase: “I will follow up with you.” “Follow-up” (with a hyphen) is a noun or adjective: “I am sending a follow-up email.” Both are correct in their proper contexts.
4. Is it rude to say “I am following up”?
No, it is not rude when used appropriately. It can become rude if you use it repeatedly without giving the person time to respond, or if you use a harsh tone. Adding polite language like “please” or “when you have a moment” keeps it courteous.
Final Tip
Think of “I am following up” as your default professional option. It is clear, correct, and neutral. When you need to be more formal, upgrade to “I am writing to follow up on.” When you need to be softer, try “Just checking in on.” The best communicators adjust their language to fit the relationship and the situation.
For more help with professional email language, explore our Email Phrase Corrections guides. If you have questions about grammar in your writing, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. You can also read our Editorial Policy to understand how we create these resources.
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