Use these talking points when you don’t know the answer, can’t answer, or aren’t the best source of information.
Start Here
- Give the reason why you can’t answer the question
- Tell them when you will follow up with them
- Bridge to what you can say
- Make sure you follow up (even if you don’t have any new information)
- Repeat the question (optional)
Talking Points
- Let me confirm/double-check and follow up with you.
- Let me look into it and get back to you.
- We’re still looking into it…
- I expect to be able to tell you more by…
- What I can tell you is…
- 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.
- I don’t want to speculate…
- I’m not the best person to answer that <Name> would be a better resource, but… my understanding is…
- Before I answer, can I get a bit more details/context?
- Let me see if I can’t find some more information on that. Thanks for asking!
- Good question. Let me get back to you.
A Big List of “I Don’t Know”s
| Name | Name |
| Do I look like a professor to you? | Let me Google that for you 🙄 |
| Haven’t the foggiest | Haven’t got a clue |
| Beats me. | Don’t ask me! |
| Excuse my ignorance. | Google it! |
| Heaven knows. | How should I know? |
| Huh? | I am not the best person to answer that. |
| I can find out for you. | I can only guess. |
| I can tell you, but I’ll have to kill you. | I can’t remember off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you on that. |
| I can’t remember. | I cannot even begin to imagine. |
| I do not rightly know. | I don’t have a conclusion yet, but here’s my hypothesis. |
| I don’t have that information here right now. | I don’t know anything about… |
| I dunno. | I have no clue/idea. |
| I have the same question in mind. | I haven’t been able to figure that out. |
| I haven’t got the faintest idea. | I haven’t had time to think that through yet. |
| I haven’t looked at that yet. | I haven’t/ haven’t got a clue. |
| I only know rumors. | I want to be sure and give you the correct information. Let me check. |
| I wish I knew. | I’m just as confused as you are. |
| I’ll double-check and let you know. | I’ll find out and let you know. |
| I’ll find out. | I’ll get back to you on that one. |
| I’ll know as soon as I figure it out. | I’m afraid I don’t know. |
| I’m afraid. I have no idea | I’m going to investigate that further. |
| I’m nervous about being wrong. | I’m not 100% sure on that. |
| I’m not sure / unsure. | I’m probably not the best person to ask for that information. |
| I’m too young to answer that. | I’m unsure. |
| I’ve been wondering the same thing! | I’ve not the faintest idea. |
| It could be one of many possibilities, I’ll look into it. | It is all Greek to me. |
| It’s a mystery to me. | It’s beyond me. |
| Let me check on that. | Let me find out for you. |
| Let me look that up for you. | Let’s find out the answer. |
| Let’s have a quick brainstorm. | Let’s learn about that together. |
| May I ask a friend? | Not as far as I know. |
| Only god knows. | Only time will tell. |
| Search me. | That requires a bit more research first. |
| That’s baffling! | That’s a mystery! |
| That’s a really good question, I’ll check/ find out. | That’s a timely question! |
| That’s exactly what I’m seeking to answer. | That’s good question, but I don’t know. |
| That’s good question, I’ll check this. | That’s not my area of expertise, I’ll ask ….. |
| That’s something I want you to find out for yourself! | The answer eludes me. |
| There are several possible answers, I’ll need more information first. | We’ll find out soon enough. |
| What do you suggest? | What do you think? |
| Who knows? | Would you please repeat the question? |