“Do you have an update?” is perfectly acceptable, but in work emails it can feel abrupt when there is no context. A good default is “Could you let me know if there have been any updates?” because it is clear, polite, and does not assume the other person should already have replied.
Update Questions at a Glance
- Could you let me know if there have been any updates?
- Any news on this?
- What’s the latest on this?
- Could you share a quick update?
- How are things progressing?
- Have there been any developments?
- What’s the current status?
- Has anything changed since we last spoke?
- Where do things stand?
- Do you have any further information?
- Could you let me know where we are with this?
- Just checking whether there’s any update
Choose the Right Level of Follow-Up for “Do You Have an Update?”
- Polite and neutral: “Could you let me know if there have been any updates?”
- Short and informal: “Any news on this?”
- Project progress: “How are things progressing?”
- Status request: “What’s the current status?”
- Gentle reminder: “Just checking whether there’s any update.”
Could you let me know if there have been any updates?
Polite, neutral, and suitable for most professional emails. It asks for information without suggesting that the recipient is late.
Example: Could you let me know if there have been any updates on the application?
Any news on this?
Brief and informal. It works best with colleagues or people you already know and in an ongoing conversation.
Example: Any news on this since yesterday?
What’s the latest on this?
Conversational but direct. It asks for the newest information rather than a full progress report.
Example: What’s the latest on the supplier issue?
Could you share a quick update?
Useful when you want a concise status report and the recipient is likely to have the information readily available.
Example: Could you share a quick update before tomorrow’s meeting?
How are things progressing?
Good for ongoing projects, tasks, applications, repairs, or any process where progress matters more than a single event.
Example: How are things progressing with the revised draft?
Have there been any developments?
Slightly more formal. It is useful when you are waiting for a decision, investigation, negotiation, or situation to change.
Example: Have there been any developments since we last spoke?
What’s the current status?
Direct and practical. It works well when there are defined stages, tickets, orders, projects, or formal processes.
Example: What’s the current status of the request?
Has anything changed since we last spoke?
Helpful when you already received an earlier update and only need to know whether something new has happened.
Example: Has anything changed since we last spoke on Monday?
Where do things stand?
Natural and moderately informal. It asks for an overall position rather than one specific detail.
Example: Where do things stand with the contract?
Do you have any further information?
Good when you already know the basic situation but are waiting for additional details.
Example: Do you have any further information about the revised timetable?
Could you let me know where we are with this?
Polite and collaborative. It works well for shared work where both parties are involved.
Example: Could you let me know where we are with this before I update the team?
Just checking whether there’s any update
A gentle follow-up that works well when you have already asked once or are returning to a previous email thread.
Example: Just checking whether there’s any update on the booking.
How to Ask Without Sounding Pushy
Add a reason when timing matters: “Could you share a quick update when you have a moment? I need to finalize the agenda by Thursday.” A clear reason usually sounds better than repeatedly adding words such as “kindly” or “gentle reminder.”
A Good Professional Default for “Do You Have an Update?”
For most work emails, use “Could you let me know if there have been any updates?” It is direct enough to get an answer while remaining neutral about why you have not heard anything yet.