14 Better Ways to Say "I Don’t Know" in English at Work

Has this happened to you at work: a colleague asks a question and you SHOULD know the answer… but you don’t. In that moment, your heart stops and you search your brain for a better way to say "I don’t know" in English. 

The truth is, if you say I don’t know at work, it can sound unprofessional.

And sometimes it’s embarrassing.

Today we 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 article 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 we're going to share some fun slang alternatives for "I don’t know" when it IS okay.

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 we do is focused on helping our students develop English confidence and fluency.

But we also think climate change is an interesting topic. We're not experts, but we 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.