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
I dunno.
It’s beyond me.
I’m afraid I don’t know.
Only time will tell.
I have no clue/idea.
That’s a timely question!
Heaven knows.
Let me check on that.
I am not the best person to answer that.
I have the same question in mind.
How should I know?
I want to be sure and give you the correct information. Let me check.
That requires a bit more research first.
Do I look like a professor to you?
I haven’t been able to figure that out.
I don’t have that information here right now.
Let me look that up for you.
Let’s have a quick brainstorm.
Would you please repeat the question?
I’m unsure.
Don’t ask me!
I don’t know anything about…
That’s good question, but I don’t know.
We’ll find out soon enough.
I haven’t had time to think that through yet.
Not as far as I know.
I’m going to investigate that further.
I’ll find out.
I’m afraid. I have no idea
I’m not 100% sure on that.
I wish I knew.
I haven’t got the faintest idea.
The answer eludes me.
That’s not my area of expertise, I’ll ask …..
Excuse my ignorance.
I haven’t/ haven’t got a clue.
I’ll know as soon as I figure it out.
I’m nervous about being wrong.
It could be one of many possibilities, I’ll look into it.
I do not rightly know.
Google it!
I’ve not the faintest idea.
I’ll double-check and let you know.
May I ask a friend?
I cannot even begin to imagine.
I’m probably not the best person to ask for that information.
I’ve been wondering the same thing!
I can’t remember off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you on that.
What do you think?
I’m not sure / unsure.
Who knows?
That’s good question, I’ll check this.
Haven’t the foggiest
It’s a mystery to me.
It is all Greek to me.
That’s something I want you to find out for yourself!
That's baffling!
That’s a mystery!
Let me find out for you.
I only know rumors.
I can find out for you.
I haven’t looked at that yet.
Let’s learn about that together.
I’m too young to answer that.
I can only guess.
I'm just as confused as you are.
That’s a really good question, I’ll check/ find out.
There are several possible answers, I’ll need more information first.
Only god knows.
That’s exactly what I’m seeking to answer.
I’ll get back to you on that one.
Beats me.
Search me.
Haven’t got a clue
I can’t remember.
I can tell you, but I’ll have to kill you.
Huh?
Let’s find out the answer.
I don’t have a conclusion yet, but here’s my hypothesis.
I’ll find out and let you know.
What do you suggest?
