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30 English messages for work chat
Work chat is not email. On WhatsApp, Teams or Slack, messages are short, quick and friendly. Lines like "Please be informed thatβ¦" sound stiff in a chat window.
Here are 30 messages that native-speaking colleagues send every day, from a morning hello to logging off. Copy one, change a word or two, and send it.
Quick check-ins
Hey, got a sec?
A casual opener before asking a quick question.
Morning! Quick question about the Lee account.
Greets and says what the message is about in one line.
Just checking, are we still on for 3pm?
Confirms a meeting or call is still happening.
How's the deck coming along?
Asks about progress without sounding pushy.
Asking for something
Could you send me the latest version when you get a chance?
A polite request that is not urgent.
Can you ping Ken and ask if the room's free?
Asks someone to send a quick message for you. ping: Full explanation β
Would you mind having a quick look at this?
Asks for a short review in a soft way.
Can you keep me in the loop on the client's reply?
Asks to be updated on something. keep me in the loop: Full explanation β
Could you cover for me at the 2pm call? Something urgent came up.
Asks a teammate to take your place for a while. cover for me: Full explanation β
Replying fast
Got it, thanks!
The most common quick reply that you have read a message.
Sure, will do.
Agrees to do something, short and friendly.
Noted, thanks!
A warmer version of a plain "Noted."
Let me check and get back to you.
Replies fast even when you need time to find the answer.
Saying you're busy
I'm swamped today. Can it wait till tomorrow?
Says you have far too much work right now. swamped: Full explanation β
In a meeting right now. Will reply in 20 mins.
Lets people know you saw the message and when you will reply.
Can we touch base after lunch instead?
Moves a short chat to a better time. touch base: Full explanation β
Sorry, just seeing this now!
A friendly apology for a slow reply.
Running late
Running 5 mins late, sorry!
The standard short message when you are a bit late.
Stuck in traffic. Start without me.
Tells others not to wait for you.
Be there in 10.
A very short way to say when you will arrive.
Something came up. Can we push it to 4?
Asks to move a meeting to a later time.
Saying thanks
Thanks so much, you're a lifesaver!
Warm thanks when someone helped you out of a tight spot.
Really appreciate it.
A short, sincere thank-you.
Thanks for sorting this out so quickly.
Thanks someone for fixing a problem fast.
Signing off for the day
I'm logging off now. See you tomorrow!
Tells the team you are done for the day.
I'll follow up with the supplier first thing tomorrow.
Says what you will do next before you leave. follow up: Full explanation β
Have a good weekend!
A friendly sign-off on Friday.
Phrases explained in full
Common mistakes
β I will late 5 minutes.
β I'm running 5 minutes late.
"Late" is an adjective, not a verb. Say "I'm running late" or "I'll be 5 minutes late".
β Sorry for late reply.
β Sorry for the late reply.
"Reply" needs "the" here. You can also say "Sorry, just seeing this now!"
β Please find the attached file.
β Here's the file.
"Please find attached" belongs in email. In chat it sounds stiff.
β Already sent.
β Just sent it!
"Already sent" can sound impatient, like "I sent it long ago". "Just sent it!" is friendlier.
β Pls send me ASAP.
β Could you send it over when you get a chance?
This is missing "it", and "ASAP" sounds like an order. Use a softer request unless it is truly urgent.
β Noted.
β Noted, thanks!
A bare "Noted." can feel cold. Adding "thanks" makes it much warmer.
Tips
- In chat you can drop the subject: Running late, Will do. This is normal and natural.
- Add when you get a chance to a request. It sounds kind, not pushy.
- Reply fast, even without an answer yet: Let me check and get back to you.
- An exclamation mark or a simple emoji makes a message warmer. Use fewer with clients and senior managers.
- Short forms like pls and thx are fine with close teammates. Write words in full for new people and clients.
FAQ
Is it rude to reply "Noted" on WhatsApp?
A single Noted. can feel cold. Add a little warmth: Noted, thanks! or Got it, thanks!
How do I say I'm a few minutes late?
Say Running 5 mins late, sorry! or I'm running a few minutes late. "Late" is an adjective, so don't say "I will late".
How should I reply to a work message after hours?
If it isn't urgent, try Thanks, I'll look into it first thing tomorrow. It shows you saw it and tells them when you'll act.
Should I write "Please find attached" in a chat?
No, that is email language. In chat, just say Here's the file. or Just sent it over.
Does "ASAP" sound too pushy?
It can. If it isn't truly urgent, use when you get a chance. If it is urgent, give a reason: Could you send it by 3? The client is waiting.
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