14 Better Ways to Say I Don’t Know in English at Work
And sometimes it’s embarrassing.
Today I want to help you remove that stress and worry.
The good news is, native speakers have the SAME problems at work. So we have many alternatives that we can use instead.
In this Confident English lesson you’re going to learn better ways to say I don’t know when:
- You should know the answer but you don’t
- You’re not an expert but someone wants your opinion
- You need more information to give the right answer
Plus I’m going to share some fun slang alternatives for I don’t know when it IS okay.
14 Better Ways to Say ‘I Don’t Know’ in English at Work
How to say I don’t know (when you should know the answer)
You’re in the accounting department and your team is still working out the financial projections for the next year.
You’ve got a meeting about this today and you know you’re not ready to every question on this topic.
But saying ‘I don’t know’ isn’t an option.
Try one of these instead:
- I’m not sure, but I’ll find out and let you know.
- I’ll find out.
- I’ll look into it and get back to you with what I find.
- That’s a good question and I want to get you the right information. Let me get back to you by end-of-day.
So your answer might sound like:
That’s an excellent question. My team and I are finalizing the projections on that and I’ll have your answer by the end of the day.
I don’t know when it’s not your area of expertise but someone wants to know your thoughts…
We all have our areas of expertise.
And then we have topics we don’t know so much about.
For example, everything I do is focused on helping my students develop English confidence and fluency. THAT is my expertise.
But I also think climate change is an interesting topic. I’m not an expert, but I have some ideas and opinions.
Here are 3 ways to answer a question when you’re not the expert:
- I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer that but…
- Here’s what I know and here’s what I don’t know…
- Based on my understanding, I believe that…
What to say when it’s better to help someone find the answer…
Imagine you’re training a new employee at work.
If she asks you a question about her job, it’s MUCH better if you help her find the answer, right?
If you do that, she won’t need to ask again in the future.
In this case, it’s better to learn together.
Instead of saying ‘I don’t know’ try one of these:
- Great question. Let’s look into that.
- Let’s see if we can get some more information on that.
A better way to say I don’t know when you need more information to give the right answer.
Sometimes questions are unexpected and we don’t know what to say in that moment.
Sometimes there aren’t enough details to understand the question or give a good answer.
And sometimes, you just need more time to think.
Here’s two great options:
- Before I answer, could you share a few more details about what you need/what you’re looking for?
- Before I answer your question, could you clarify your question?
Now what about when it IS okay to say ‘I don’t know’?
Your friend lost her keys — again!
She always does this and, of course, you have no idea where her keys are.
Here are a few casual ways to say I don’t know:
- I don’t have the foggiest idea.
- I haven’t a clue.
- Who knows?
- Don’t ask me.
- Your guess is as good as mine.
❤️Love this lesson?
Check out my lesson on Better Ways to Say Yes, No, Maybe, and I Can’t or view it here on YouTube.
This is the BEST way to add new vocabulary and expressions to your English — learn, practice, and repeat.
So here’s your chance to try some new language.
In the comment section below, tell me:
- What would you say if your colleague asks you a question in a business meeting tomorrow and you don’t know the answer (but you should)?
- You may not be an expert on this but I’d love to know your thoughts: what do you think is the best way to gain English confidence and fluency?
Share your answers below and be sure to include a new way to say I don’t know in English!
Have a fantastic Confident English Wednesday!
~ Annemarie
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Thank you, Annemarie, very helpful tips
Very helpful tips before my presentation with senior team today
Wonderful! I’m glad to hear that.
I must write a professional communication and I need to say
“I do not have knowledge on that front.”
Does this sound about right?
How to say I don’t know (when I should know the answer) while interview section
1. That’s an interesting question. I’ll look into it and let you know what I find.
1. Let my chek my notes and I’ll get back to you by end-of-day.
2. Based on my understanding of the process of learning, I believe that studying and practicing are the best ways to gain confidence and fluency in English.
Fantastic, Yon! I love your example answers. They’re perfect for each situation.
What is the best way to ask for a pause during the conversation, when someone asked you a tough question and I just need a few minutes to find right words?
“Let me think about it” is one of the options
I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer that but, but I’m trying to do my best to find the answer
Great answer, Ahmad. But what’s the original question? If someone is asking you something that you SHOULD know, then this wouldn’t be the most appropriate. What could you say instead?
Let me discuss this point with my supervisor and I’ll get back to you soon.
Hello Anamarie,
I want to point out that there are some mistakes in this page.
The alternative answers are the same in scenarios: “How to say I don’t know (when you should know the answer)” and “I don’t know when it’s not your area of expertise but someone wants to know your thoughts…”
Oh my, thank you Melai! I’ve got it all fixed now. 😊
1. I’m not sure right now, but I’ll look into it and let you know what I find out.
2. Based on my experience, I believe that we have to talk as much as we can with different people, trying to keep an interesting conversation and a right pronunciation.
I think this is the correct way to answer
Well done, Sonia! These are great ways to answer my challenge questions. And I totally agree that it’s important to talk as much as you can. 🙂
Question 1 . That’s a really good question. I want to give you the most accurate answer that I can , I’ll get back to you as soon as posible.
Question 2. I’m not sure I’m the best person for you to ask but, in my opinion is to practice every day, and as much as you can.
Love these examples, Mar! They’re exactly right. 🙂
1. That’s an interesting question. I’ll look into it and let you know what I find
2. Based on what I know, I think the best way to gain English confidence and fluency is to overcome the fear of speaking out loud
Great examples, Van Ho! And I totally agree that it’s important to overcome the fear of speaking out loud. How do you think others can overcome fear?