haven't heard back

USAGE SUMMARY

"haven't heard back" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would use it to talk about an expected response that hasn't been received yet. For example, "I sent the email three days ago, but I haven't heard back yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I haven't heard back.

The New York Times

"I haven't heard back," Zimet said.

The New York Times - Sports

Anthea I haven't heard back yet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I haven't heard back from him.

The New York Times

And I haven't heard back from the other hotel companies.

The New York Times

I emailed the Rauner campaign but haven't heard back yet.

The New York Times

We've reached out to Pope Francis but haven't heard back.

The New Yorker

"But I haven't heard back from him," she said.

The New York Times

"I honestly can't do the timetable thing because I haven't heard back yet," he said.

The New York Times

"We haven't heard back from the lab, but we just know it's cholera.

Independent

But it's been four months since I sent the letter, and I haven't heard back yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "haven't heard back" in professional emails to follow up on a previous request. It strikes a balance between being direct and polite. To sound more formal in a legal or high-stakes document, use "have not received a response" instead.

Common error

Do not confuse "haven't heard back" with "haven't heard from". While both imply a lack of communication, "heard back" specifically requires a prior action or inquiry that necessitated a reply. Use "heard from" for general contact (e.g. "I haven't heard from my brother lately"), but use "heard back" when you are waiting for an answer to a specific question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "haven't heard back" functions as a negative present perfect verb phrase. It consists of the auxiliary verb "have", the negation "not" (contracted as "n't"), the past participle "heard", and the adverbial particle "back". According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote an unfinished action where a response was expected but has not materialized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Informal

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academic

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "haven't heard back" is an essential and grammatically correct phrase for describing a lack of response. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in reputable journalism and professional writing. It is the standard way to express that an expected answer is missing without sounding overly accusatory. While it is perfect for most professional correspondence, writers should consider more formal alternatives in legal or highly official contexts. Its versatility across different media makes it a reliable choice for any English writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not received a response

Increases the level of formality, making it suitable for official reports or high-level business correspondence

have yet to hear back

A slightly more cautious and professional phrasing that implies the door is still open for a response

are still waiting for a reply

Places more emphasis on the ongoing state of expectation and the passage of time

haven't gotten a reply

More informal and conversational, commonly used in everyday speech or casual emails

have received no word

A direct and objective reporting style often used in journalism

haven't heard anything

A broader expression that covers any form of communication or news

haven't had an update

Focuses specifically on the lack of new information rather than just a general reply

got no response

The most blunt and informal version, focusing purely on the result rather than the process

remain without word

A more literary or dramatic way to express a total lack of communication

are awaiting feedback

Specifically used when the expected response is evaluative or constructive in nature

FAQs

Is "haven't heard back" professionally acceptable?

Yes, it is widely used in professional settings. For very formal situations, you might prefer "have not yet received a response".

What is the difference between "haven't heard back" and "haven't heard from"?

The phrase "haven't heard back" implies you are waiting for a reply to a specific outreach, whereas "haven't heard from" simply means there has been no general contact.

Can I say "haven't heard back yet"?

Yes, adding "yet" is very common and emphasizes that you are still expecting a response. You can also use "have yet to hear back" for a more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "haven't heard back" in an email?

You can use alternatives like "still awaiting your reply", "following up on my last email", or "haven't received an update".