12 Professional Ways to Say “Please Be Patient”

Communicating effectively in professional settings often requires asking for patience without sounding rude or dismissive. There are many ways to express this, each fitting different situations and communication styles.

In this article, we explore 12 polite and professional alternatives to the phrase “please be patient.” These options can help you maintain a positive tone in emails, calls, and in-person conversations, ensuring your request for patience is both clear and courteous.

Is It Professional to Say “Please Be Patient”?

Using the phrase “please be patient” can indeed be considered professional, formal or informal, and polite. This phrase is best employed in situations where delays are expected, and you wish to reassure the other party that progress is being made.

It works well with clients, colleagues, and in certain cases, with higher-ups, especially when communicating via email, letters, or even in face-to-face scenarios.

Email example.

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your message and for bringing this issue to our attention. We are currently looking into it and aim to resolve it as soon as possible. In the meantime, we kindly ask you to please be patient as we work through the details.

Kindest regards,
Emily

Pros:

• Shows empathy and understanding.
• Keeps the tone of the conversation positive.
• Encourages trust in the process or system.

Cons:

• Can be perceived as vague without a defined timeline.
• May not be satisfactory for someone seeking immediate answers.
• Potentially overused, reducing its impact.

While “please be patient” is useful, someone might want to use an alternative phrase to avoid potential negatives. Alternatives might offer more specificity, address the situation more directly, or simply provide variety to the language used.

12 Other Ways to Say “Please Be Patient”

Finding the right words to ask for patience can maintain the flow of a professional or casual conversation. Here are twelve alternatives that serve as synonyms for “please be patient.”

1. Thank you for your patience

This alternative is both professional and polite, making it an excellent synonym for the original phrase. It acknowledges the waiting time that someone has already spent, adding a touch of gratitude.

This phrase is suited for formal and informal settings, making it versatile for various types of recipients, such as clients or colleagues. It works well in emails, calls, or face-to-face meetings.

Here’s a sample message:

Hello Steven,

We are currently reviewing your request. Thank you for your patience as we work to provide you with a detailed response.

Best regards,
Alicia

2. We appreciate your patience

This expression, similar to the first, is professional and conveys gratitude. It’s slightly more formal and directly thanks the recipient for being patient, encouraging a positive interpersonal relationship.

This alternative is ideal for formal communication, particularly in customer service interactions, emails to clients, or updates to stakeholders. It best fits situations requiring an acknowledgment of someone’s patience without providing an immediate solution.

Email example:

Hello Team,

As we transition to the new system, we appreciate your patience. We're committed to making this as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Warm regards,
Kayla

3. Your patience is appreciated

Switching the construction of the phrase to a passive voice gives it a formal and somewhat impersonal feel, making it a strong synonym for the original phrase. It’s professional, appreciative, and slightly detached.

This phrase fits formal communication and is particularly effective in written notices, emails where a buffer is needed until the next point of contact, and in settings where formal distance is maintained, such as with clients not known personally.

Here is an example:

Dear Valued Client,

We are updating our records currently. Your patience is appreciated during this process.

Sincerely,
The Customer Service Team

4. Thank you for waiting

This alternative is straightforward and polite. It’s less formal than the previous examples but remains a courteous way to acknowledge the wait that someone has endured. It’s a direct synonym for asking for more patience.

It’s well-suited for both professional and informal situations where an immediate response or action cannot be provided, such as during service delays. This phrase works well in face-to-face interactions, phone conversations, and less formal emails.

Example:

Hi there,

We're looking into your query now. Thank you for waiting; we'll have an update for you shortly.

Cheers,
Tom

5. Thanks for bearing with us

This phrase is informal and injects a bit of warmth and personal touch into the message. It suggests endurance and is a suitable synonym for the original phrase when addressing delays or complications.

This alternative works best in messages to teams or individuals who are familiar with temporary inconveniences, such as during system updates or prolonged service work. It is fitting for internal communication, informal emails, and social media updates.

Here’s an example email:

Team,

We're halfway through the server migration. Thanks for bearing with us, and we're confident it’ll be worth the wait.

Best,
Jen

6. Please bear with us

Similar to the previous, but with a more direct polite request for patience, this phrase effectively combines professionalism with a personal appeal. It’s a dynamic synonym that captures attention.

Suitable for professional settings, including official communications about ongoing issues or delays. It fits well into emails, formal announcements, and direct communication where the tone is earnest.

Example:

Dear Parents,

Due to unforeseen weather conditions, school schedules have been adjusted. Please bear with us as we ensure everyone's safety.

Kind regards,
Principal Martins

7. Kindly allow us some time

This request feels formal and deferred, making it a respectful way to ask for patience without implying a long wait. It’s a useful synonym that adds variety to the ways we ask for time.

This phrase is most appropriate in professional emails and formal notices where a slight or indefinite delay is expected. It’s well-received by clients, stakeholders, and even in bureaucratic communications.

Example:

Dear Applicants,

We are in the final stages of the review process. Kindly allow us some time to ensure each application is given thorough consideration.

Yours sincerely,
The Admissions Committee

8. Please allow us a bit more time

This version adds a touch of humility to the request, making it both polite and a little informal. It subtly suggests that the wait won’t be much longer, which can ease the recipient’s frustration.

This alternative is effective in email correspondences, updates, or direct messages where an apology for the delay is implied. It’s particularly suitable for dealing with clients or customers who are waiting for a resolution to their issues.

Example:

Dear Subscriber,

We are aware of the issue affecting online access. Please allow us a bit more time to resolve this for you.

Warmest regards,
Customer Support

9. We’re working on it, thanks for waiting

This phrase is conversational and informal, perfect for conveying ongoing effort and appreciation for someone’s patience. It blends reassurance with gratitude, making this an effective alternative.

Best used in informal email communications, team updates, or customer service interactions where it’s important to express that actions are being taken. It resonates well with colleagues, team members, and younger audiences.

Email sample:

Hey everyone,

We're working on it, thanks for waiting. We hope to have it fixed soon.

Take care,
Zoe

10. Please hold on

This is a direct and informal request asking someone to wait a moment longer. It’s less about acknowledging past patience and more about requesting immediate continuance of it. Despite its brevity, it’s polite.

This phrase is most suited for real-time communications such as phone calls or in-person conversations. It can be used in less formal emails or chat messages where the context is understood to be temporary.

Example:

Hi Luke,

We are checking your account details now. Please hold on, and we'll have an update shortly.

Thanks,
Dana

11. Just a moment

Even more concise than the previous, this phrase is very informal and is a polite way to ask for a very short wait. It’s immediate and suggests that the wait won’t be long at all.

It’s perfect for use during phone conversations, live chats, or when interrupting a conversation momentarily. It’s not typically seen in written form unless in brief, instant communication forms like text messages or chats.

Email example:

Person A: Could you check the meeting time again?

Person B: Sure, just a moment.

12. Please wait a second

This phrase is informal and straightforward, requesting a brief pause from the recipient. While informal, it remains polite and conveys a need for a short delay.

Suitable for real-time or nearly real-time interactions, like phone calls, in-person requests, or informal digital messages. This phrase is less common in professional emails but can appear in casual communications within teams.

Example:

Team,

I'm pulling up the document now. Please wait a second.

Thanks,
Leah

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right way to ask for patience can greatly influence the tone and effectiveness of your communication. Whether it’s a formal email to a client or a quick message to a colleague, the alternatives provided here offer you options that fit a range of situations. By using these phrases thoughtfully, you can ensure your requests for patience are received positively, fostering better understanding and cooperation.