10 Synonyms for “Long Time No Speak”

Reaching out to someone after a long time can be a bit tricky, especially in a professional environment. You want your message to be friendly but also appropriate for the workplace.

This article lays out ten alternatives to the casual phrase “long time no speak” that are better suited for professional emails. Each alternative is explained with examples of how to use it effectively, helping you reconnect politely and professionally.

Is It Professional to Say “Long Time No Speak”?

The phrase “long time no speak” phrase is generally viewed as informal and polite, but not professional. This makes it well-suited for casual conversations rather than formal or professional communications. It’s a way to acknowledge that a significant amount of time has passed since the last interaction with someone, doing so in a friendly manner.

This phrase is best used with friends, family, or close colleagues with whom you have a laid-back relationship. It’s more appropriate for casual emails, text messages, or conversations rather than in a strict business context.

Email example:

Hey Alex,

It's been a while, long time no speak! How have you been? I was just remembering our college days and thought of checking in.

Looking forward to catching up soon!

Best,
Sam

Pros:

• Creates an informal, friendly tone.
• Acknowledges the gap since the last communication in a light-hearted way.
• Can quickly reconnect and warm up the conversation.

Cons:

• Not suited for formal or professional communications.
• May seem too casual or unprofessional in certain contexts.
• Could risk seeming insincere if overused or used in inappropriate situations.

While “long time no speak” is a friendly and informal way to reconnect, one might opt for synonyms or alternatives in professional settings to maintain the right level of formality.

10 Other Ways to Say “Long Time No Speak”

If you’re looking to convey the idea of reconnecting after a long period in a more professional setting, here are ten alternatives to “long time no speak” that can help:

1. It’s been a while

This alternative is a bit more formal than “long time no speak” but still maintains a polite and friendly tone. It’s suitable for professional emails where you want to acknowledge the time passed without seeming overly casual. This phrase gently opens the door to re-establishing connection without assuming too much familiarity.

This phrase can be used with colleagues, clients, or other professional contacts. It works well in emails or other written communications.

Email example:

Dear Mark,

I hope this message finds you well. It's been a while since we last discussed the project updates. I'm reaching out to see if we can schedule a meeting soon.

Best regards,
Emily

2. It’s been ages since we last connected

This synonym is still polite and conveys a sense of warmth towards the recipient. It slightly leans towards an informal tone but can be appropriate in professional settings where a friendly rapport has been established. The expression helps underscore the length of time since the last interaction, making it a good choice for reconnecting with old colleagues or contacts.

Ideal for emails and messages to those you’ve had previous, positive interactions with, this phrase sets a cooperative tone for further communication.

Email example:

Hello Sophia,

It's been ages since we last connected, and I was thinking about our successful collaboration last year. I'd love to catch up and hear about your recent work.

Warmly,
George

3. We haven’t caught up in quite some time

This alternative strikes a balance between formal and informal, leaning slightly more towards the formal side, making it an excellent choice for professional settings. It’s polite and suggests an eagerness to reconnect and update each other on relevant matters or simply catch up on a personal level.

Suitable for communication with colleagues, mentors, or industry peers through emails or messages, especially when you’re looking to rekindle professional relationships.

Email example:

Dear Thomas,

I realized we haven't caught up in quite some time. I'm keen to hear about your recent endeavors and share some updates of my own.

Sincerely,
Olivia

4. It’s been too long since our last conversation

This synonym conveys a sense of missed connection and is slightly more formal than the original phrase. It expresses a genuine interest in catching up and is especially fitting when you’ve missed opportunities to communicate in the past. This phrase is polite and indicates that you value the relationship and are eager to renew the dialogue.

It’s best used with professional contacts or colleagues you have a good relationship with. Appropriate for use in emails or direct messages.

Email example:

Dear Lisa,

I was just thinking, it's been too long since our last conversation. Let's schedule a call to discuss the new project plans.

Best,
Michael

5. Feels like forever since we last spoke

This expression is a bit more on the informal side but is still polite and suitable for semi-formal correspondence, particularly when you share a friendly rapport with the recipient. It emphasizes the emotional aspect of the time that has passed, suggesting a strong desire to reconnect. This choice is appropriate when you wish to inject a bit of warmth and personal touch into your message.

Use this with colleagues or contacts in a less formal context, like emails where a friendly, conversational tone is acceptable.

Email example:

Hi Jordan,

Feels like forever since we last spoke. Can we catch up over a coffee next week?

Cheers,
Alex

6. It’s been some time since we last touched base

This phrase is ideal for professional environments as it’s noticeably more formal and polite. It indicates a desire to update each other on relevant professional developments or simply to reignite a dialogue. This alternative is perfect for initiating contact with someone you’ve interacted with in a work context, signaling a wish to re-establish a connection on professional or personal terms.

Great for corresponding with clients, colleagues, or mentors, especially via email.

Email example:

Dear Brenda,

I hope you've been well. It's been some time since we last touched base, and I'd love to hear about your current projects.

Regards,
Natalie

7. Haven’t heard from you in a while

This is a polite, slightly informal way to rekindle communication, especially when you’re waiting on a response or update from the other party. It gently nudges the recipient to share news or updates, all the while keeping the tone friendly and open. This expression can be particularly effective in reminding someone of an ongoing discussion or collaboration.

Appropriate for emails to colleagues or associates when you’re expecting an update or when wanting to prompt a renewal of contact.

Email example:

Dear Kevin,

Haven't heard from you in a while, and I just wanted to check in on the status of the report. Please let me know if you need any further information.

Best,
Carla

8. It’s been a long time since we’ve communicated

This alternative is quite formal and polite, making it a suitable choice for professional environments where you haven’t been in touch for an extended period. It emphasizes the duration of silence without placing any fault, inviting an open and renewed dialogue. This phrase works well when reaching out to old clients, colleagues, or connections whom you’ve lost touch with.

Best used in emails or messages aimed at re-establishing a professional relationship with someone you’ve not communicated with for a long time.

Email example:

Dear Clara,

It's been a long time since we've communicated, and I'm keen to catch up on your recent achievements and discuss potential collaboration opportunities.

Kind regards,
Tom

9. It’s been quite a long time since our last chat

This synonym conveys both a polite and slightly informal tone. It’s suitable for when you want to strike a balance between being professional and friendly. This phrase is ideal for reconnecting with someone in a lighter, more conversational manner, particularly if your relationship includes a mix of professional and casual interactions.

Use this with colleagues or contacts with whom you’ve had a friendly and positive history, especially through emails or social media messages.

Email example:

Hey Ryan,

It's been quite a long time since our last chat. I'd love to hear more about how your new role is going!

Best wishes,
Diana

10. Long time since we’ve been in touch

This expression is informal yet polite, suitable for when you’re looking to reinstate communication without coming across as too formal. It’s an excellent choice for reaching out to former colleagues or professional contacts in a way that feels sincere and eager for a catch-up. This alternative is better suited when the intent is to re-engage on both a personal and professional level.

This phrase is ideal for casual professional emails or messages to associates or colleagues you’ve had a good rapport with in the past.

Email example:

Hello Dana,

Long time since we've been in touch. Are you available for a brief call next week to discuss a new project?

Looking forward to it,
Jeremy

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right words to reconnect in a professional setting is important. The ten alternatives provided offer a range of options that balance friendliness with professionalism. By using these phrases, you can ensure your message conveys respect and a genuine interest in catching up.