When someone asks “What are you doing?” in a formal or professional setting, your reply should be polite, clear, and appropriate for the situation. Whether it’s a boss, colleague, client, or someone you respect, the way you respond can reflect your professionalism.
Here are different ways to answer this question formally, with examples for various contexts.
[If You’re Currently Working] — Show you’re focused and productive
- I’m currently working on the monthly report.
- I’m reviewing the latest project updates.
- I’m in the middle of preparing for a client meeting.
- I’m finalizing a few details for the presentation.
- I’m updating our internal documentation.
- I’m currently going over some emails and responding to queries.
- I’m working through my task list for the day.
- I’m reviewing the data for accuracy before submission.
- I’m completing the analysis you requested earlier.
- I’m currently attending to some administrative tasks.
[If You’re in a Meeting or Busy Moment] — Be respectful and brief
- I’m in a meeting at the moment, but I’ll follow up shortly.
- I’m currently engaged, but I’ll be available soon.
- I’m tied up with a few urgent items right now.
- I’m handling something time-sensitive.
- I’m currently speaking with a client, but I’ll circle back afterward.
- I’m just wrapping up a call—can I reach out in a bit?
- I’m in the middle of a project discussion.
- I’m finishing up a scheduled session.
- I’m working through a priority request.
- I’m with a colleague discussing our next steps.
[If You’re Between Tasks or Available] — Show openness and readiness
- I’ve just completed my previous task—how can I help you?
- I’m between tasks at the moment.
- I’ve wrapped up what I was working on—do you need anything?
- I’m available if you’d like to discuss something.
- I’m free right now if you’d like to talk.
- I’m transitioning between assignments at the moment.
- I’ve just finished, happy to assist if needed.
- I have a few minutes—what can I do for you?
- I’m waiting on a response before moving forward.
- I’m reviewing next steps before starting the next item.
[If You’re Asked in an Email or Written Message] — Formal tone for written responses
- At the moment, I’m reviewing documents related to the XYZ project.
- I’m currently in the process of compiling the data you requested.
- I’m coordinating with the team to ensure timely delivery.
- I’m finalizing preparations for our upcoming meeting.
- I’m analyzing the performance metrics for this quarter.
- I’m aligning tasks based on our current priorities.
- I’m addressing feedback and updating the documentation accordingly.
- I’m cross-checking recent entries for accuracy.
- I’m currently focusing on completing the outlined deliverables.
- I’m organizing internal files for easier access and efficiency.
Tips for Answering Formally
- Use complete sentences — Avoid slang or overly casual phrases.
- Mention the task — Give context without oversharing.
- Be polite — Show professionalism even when you’re busy.
- Tailor to your role — Keep your response relevant to your responsibilities.
- Stay calm — Formal replies should feel composed and respectful.
Conclusion
When answering “What are you doing?” in a formal way, it’s best to be clear, respectful, and focused. Choose a response that matches your tone, timing, and setting—especially in professional spaces.
Want to sound more confident at work? Try these responses and build your professional tone with ease
