how to ask for clarification politelyhow to ask for clarification politely

We've outlined the process to create clarification emails. Speak from your own perspective, using sentences that start with, I rather than you. For instance, instead of saying, youre not explaining this very well, you could say something like, Im struggling to fully understand the idea that youre sharing. When people feel blamed, they become defensive. Establish your credibility. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. People will understand that you are simply seeking to gain the clarification that you need to better understand the situation at hand and will be more willing to engage with you. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. If I understood you correctly, you would like me to Could you please clarify what you meant by? Recent surveys suggest that over 6 million children under the age of 17 in the US alone exhibit some form of attention deficit disorder. Would you like me to switch off all the lights? It can be used very formally, or it can be used with a subtle undertone of disdaine and attitude while still providing information. For many people, particularly people who arent aural or visual learners, different processing preferences and capabilities make it harder for some people to keep up with conversations. Will you please share the total amount again? Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. The best way to ensure that you come across as polite is if you use Please and Thank You when speaking. Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. Before accepting, you may want clarification about the terms and conditions or the salary. A good way is to summarize what you have understood and didnt. Make sure that you dont point fingers or blame the other person for not conveying information well enough. Amid the four types of questions commonly asked, clarification questions are probably the most understandable and justifiable in any circumstance. Thanks, Tannia, for your support! Chris G. Can you please tell me again what document you requested? that you think you already know what the answer is, so that a question can be asked rather than reformatting an impolite question, if you use Please and Thank You when speaking, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-speaking-memory/, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html, https://hbr.org/2015/03/relearning-the-art-of-asking-questions, How to Professionally Say You Didnt Answer My Question. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? This FREE e-course will help you let go of your need to keep other people happy and step into your personal power. In most cases, you can save face by solving your own problem without asking a question to clarify. Thank you for providing the information about [Topic X]. However, if the instruction is unclear, you may need to ask for clarification so you can take medicine properly. You can contact me on (insert details). Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. ." Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. How to ask somebody for explanation politely, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup, Polite way to suggest talking about something. Am I right in thinking that what youre meaning by that is, If Im understanding correctly, you think that the most important factor in this situation is Is that correct?, I think I need more information because Im not fully understanding the part that you were saying about, So I think I understand that you believe X would be the best solution? Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand. Be polite, and use languages that focus the situation on you and not the other person. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? The first thing you should do is thank the sender for providing the information. WebHow to Ask for Clarification Politely Collaborative Solutions 338 subscribers 329 views 3 years ago Have you ever experienced a meeting where somebody is explaining something, May I ask you to clarify your position on this? Don't worry: Asking for clarification is easy. How do you ask for clarification? Let me make myself clear, everyone must follow all of the new health and safety guidelines in accordance with the CDC. Katie Holmes is a senior author at everyday-courtesy.com with over 15 years of experience in marketing and psychology. The preferred synonym to just to clarify is just to make sure were on the same page. (We told you it was easy, now see our examples!). Thanks for the effort you made to explain it again. Closed questions always lead to a yes or no answer, and hence, gather limited information. Messaging your boss or manager is slightly different from the formal format we use above. Show that you appreciate them taking the additional time to review the email, and describe how the information will help achieve the goal. So, do you really think this will be a profitable deal? Do you mind if I ask you to mention his name again? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Its my bad. It also depends on how big the work is, but I think that generally asking for clarification is never a bad idea. Using the phrase just so I understand is a great alternative if you are confused, astounded, amazed, or in disbelief in regards to the information or instructions you have been given. Finally, you finish each clarification letter with all the essential details and a suitable sign-off. Would/Could you please elaborate on it for me? (meaning to say it in another way) is appropriate. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your suggestions. WebTo write a thank you email for a salary increase, express your gratitude calmly, then ask for clarification on the terms of the increase if you have not already received them. An example where it would be appropriate to use this phrase would be when you want to discuss a topic with someone and you check in on them and their progress to make sure they are working off of the correct information. Can you repeat the ways I have to do it? If I understand you correctly, you want Carolyn to add her SEO changes to the documents marked PENDING in the Google Drive. Type a command in the box below. Mr. Khan is also a passionate writer working on his first book, "Learn English at Ease. Have you ever found it challenging to interrupt someone to express your opinion, make suggestions, or ask for further information? 2. Theres an emergency you need to deal with." When someone asks you to re-explain a complicated task, your first inclination is probably to say, Wait, what? When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. When it comes to the proper time to ask a question, many presenters or lecturers will ask questions periodically during their presentations or at the end of the presentation. 03 Mar 2023 13:44:40 ), your name, and your signature. When you are tasked with providing necessary information to someone, but would like to keep things brief and formal, you can use this phrase to cut to the chase. The phrase just making sure is a great alternative to just to clarify, as it is more relaxed. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning. Also, you could talk to the person to clarify before sending a formal email, because sometimes its difficult to convey the true meaning through an email. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I understand. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. Most often, when it comes to being perceived as polite when seeking clarification, the concern is heightened by those asking for clarification. Bullet points are a great way to share information, Insert your questions/clarification request. We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. May I request you share your queries again? In the next section of the email, you want to clearly outline your goals, any important deadlines, and next steps. Did you mean? 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. Put the question in the first or second sentence. This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. You should ask for an apology first, as you already have missed what the person said earlier. Use open-ended questions to guide the discussion. My deadline for this project is [date]. For example, you could write, "Hello, Ms. Would you mind repeating the name of the place? First up, here's a sample email seeking clarification. Should I begin with each page Mark adds to the FINAL folder, or do you want me to wait until the SEO changes are complete and youd had a chance to go over everything? Youd like to ask for clarification, but youre not sure how in a polite way. Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. The meaning of both phrases is the same and used interchangeably. We usually stress the word actually to signal that were going to explain what we really meant. Such individuals would then feel lost or misinformed simply because they missed when information was presented, making clarification necessary. ?" You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." Tips Start with Dear and the persons title and name. WebThe preferred ways to ask are could you please provide me with the details, could you provide the details, and do you mind sharing the details with me? These questions get Its time to stop letting conflict rule your life and learn to use your resentment to fuel change. If its complex, technical, or there are things the manager needs to know in order to provide the clarification, then by all means write an e-mail. Have you just said you will go to Coxs Bazar next week? [2]. Have a conversation before sending an email. I wish you good health. By speaking solely in terms of your own perspective, your listener will be more open to further discussion. Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. Have you requested to send me the MS Word file or the PDF? When it comes to the proper format for asking a clarification question or seeking clarification, the key is to use basic rules of etiquette. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. WebYour clarification email includes everything I need to progress. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? Then Mark will make the copy changes and move the documents to a drive folder marked FINAL. Master 101 frequent business situations with our eBook! As we are independently owned, the recommendations made here are our own. Some time in your elementary school life, you may have had a teacher who said, The only stupid question is the one you dont ask. That stock teacher phrase couldnt make things any clearerits okay to ask for an explanation if you dont understand. ESL Advice is an online platform for ESL learners and teachers in which an expert team of ESL Teachers shares exclusive tips and advice about the English language. Each intonation will convey very different messages. The customer will ask you questions, and you will provide polite responses Q: My phone won't start. Well learn some expressions to ask for clarification on someones questions. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. Thank you for your time and for helping me to clarify these questions. Would you please tell me your thoughts about the issue again? So, how do you politely ask for clarification on someones request in English? I beg pardon, but can you please repeat what you said about the new product launch? If you need any other information, please let me know. For such individuals, paying attention to lengthy topics, particularly if it is not an area of interest, will be ineffective and there is a high chance that such individuals will be distracted at some point. If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. DeFrank." Ultimately, using this approach to obtain clarification will not only help to mediate opinions and get individuals on the same page faster it will also help prevent resentment and rifts in business relationships. ?" Thanks.. Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand. Although these questions are more direct, as long as they relate to a topic that has been already mentioned, they are understandable points for clarification. If you do feel compelled to ask before a presenter has reached a point where there is a lull in the presentation or conversation, its very important to raise your hand. Dont cross the line. May I ask you to say the things again that you requested earlier? . There are other words you might use in this case as well. Is it possible to elaborate on what you said right now? Lindsays approach has been profoundly influenced by her work with Indigenous organizations, her experience as a parent to two neurodivergent children, and the premature loss of both of her parents. Also known as clarification letters, clarification emails are used to get the information required to move forward. Generally, asking for clarification is not undesirable in most social circles, particularly during long, technical presentations in academic, educational, or professional settings. So, you must ask for clarification if you dont understand them. If you liked this post, you might also like: 7 Signs That Your Team Has a Communication Problem, The 4 Foundational Skills for Effective Communication. Can you go over this area again just so I understand the new changes you want implemented? I beg your pardon. Could we connect on this issue before the meeting at 2PM tomorrow? . May I ask you to explain your observation about the new design further? It gives you an easy way to state what you mean, directly letting everyone know you are sharing pertinent information. Watch the video: Only 1 percent of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right 10 Better Ways To Say Thank You For Clarifying In Emails, 11 Better Ways To Say No Worries In Professional Emails, 9 More Polite Ways To Say I Dont Care (Professional), 9 Better Ways to Say Just to Confirm in an Email, 9 Other Ways to Say Im Good At on a Resume, 10 Polite Ways to Say No Visitors after Surgery, 11 Best Ways to Say Im Here for You to a Loved One, 10 Professional Ways to Say I Am Not Feeling Well. In this article, we'll show you how to request clarification via email. Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. Doctor: Youre welcome. Very often, someone might ask a question during a presentation and the presenter will respond If you wait a bit, I will explain the answer to that question.. Most of the time, your clients are not responding because: They got busy and haven't found the time to write their response to you. Please send your invoice for all work from our most recent contract to youremail@email.com and CC me. You mean you need some books from the library, isnt it? GET IN TOUCH 514.551.0493 | [emailprotected]. "If I understand you correctly " is a slightly more formal way to check your understanding. If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. Would/Could you please repeat what you said about the issue? (A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. You then clear up what you need to clarify in the email body. WebA listener can ask for clarification when they cannot make sense of the speaker's responses. Your new game-changing quick reference tool is just a click away. Here is a great example of how to use just to be clear professionally in an email. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to respectfully inform the other party that their understanding of the situation is incorrect, or to seek clarification for oneself. How to ask for help via email Use a clear, direct subject line. Be non-accusatory. Before you write an email to clarify something, take another look to review the information and see if there is something that you were missing. All Rights Reserved. You need to create a clarification email. Using this formal speech helps to indicate that you are sincere in your desire to understand what the speaker is saying, which is the basis for asking for clarification. Doctor: Oh, sure. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? Kind regards, (Your name) 3. Need help nailing down some details about a person, product, project, or appointment? "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". "Come in.Whats up?" Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. WebIn American English, the word actually is often used to clarify a misunderstanding. Informal Sorry, I didnt catch that. When you ask someone to clarify something for you, it suggests that you are following what the person is saying and understand the majority or all of the key points, but you need more details on a certain point. Thank you! Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. When It Is Considered Rude to Ask for Clarification, Theres Never a Time to Not Politely Seek Clarification. Its also a great way to allow someone else to add more information they may have forgotten. If you can help me with these questions by the end of the day, I can get started on the project immediately. 1 Answer. WebWhen you ask someone for clarification, you are asking them to say something in a different way or provide more information so that you 20 Email Expressions to Ask for Clarification So when we want to ask for clarification in English, we can use these expressions: 1 What exactly are you saying? Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. How important it may become at times to ask for clarification. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. Congratulations on getting a job offer! The difference between just to clarify and just for clarification is fairly small. About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality, A limit involving the quotient of two sums. Clarity is the key to effective communication. One great way to do this is to ask a lot of open-ended questions. May I know what you just wanted permission for.? As AI is developing and being used in different sectors, writers are also using them to avoid unexpected grammatical errors or typos. If you do, always explain what they are and why they matter. Click here for 1:1 customized coaching programs that will help you achieve your career goals faster. Refresh if you want to submit another email. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. link to Linguix vs. Grammarly: Which AI Writing Assistant Is Value for Money in 2023? Now, lets learn some expressions that native speakers of English commonly use to ask for clarification. So that we can action your request promptly, could you please provide some more context and clarification around this? Janet opened the door and smiled slightly. Im sorry, but I couldnt follow your question. How can I ask, "Why did you send me this link?" Keep subject lines short, sweet, and simple like these: We'll assume you've already got a relationship with the email recipient, so you don't need to introduce yourself (unless you want to). State what the speaker has said as you understand it, and check whether this is what they really said. Always consider the setting: formal and informal. Sometimes you may not completely understand what Closed Question: So, you felt Bobs approach was too disruptive? It also makes it easier for the recipient to go through them line-by-line and answer them. Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. No worries! When someone makes any requeststo you to do something, you need to understand what precisely the person is asking from you. Read and listen to these possible responses. ?" ". Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. An example is provided below on the professional usage of just so I understand. Youre a busy person, so here is a template you can use right away. Now, well learn some useful expressions to ask someone to clarify instructions. Contacting researchers for clarification is good practice. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? Here, Ill share some ways to ask for clarification on someones suggestions in English. You got this! Whether you are in a formal or informal situation, politeness is the key to a good conversation. Heres an example of how to use for the record in a professional manner. Before you do this exercise, its a good idea to check out our information on intonation and stress. In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. Write a clear subject line, or respond directly to the email you wish to clarify. The clarification email structure is still the same, but we can assume your boss is already on top of the details. Which form is more polite and more acceptable for correspondence: For example I am do not understand something and want to get more information about it. Provided is an example of how just making sure can be used professionally. Of course, that's a distinction that can probably be blurred depending on exactly how you're using the words, but it might be useful to understand that they don't mean exactly the same thing. If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. If your clarification request isn't covered in the list above, or if you'd prefer to create your own, then use this clarification email template. It also allows for a wide range of expression as the tone it is said in can add more meaning to the phrase. Once youve established your current understanding and whats unclear to you, you can ask questions that will help your reader clarify the information. In such a business situation I would offer my business card and politely ask: "Do you have a card I could have?" Did you mean to send me? WebWhen using clarification follow these guidelines to help aid communication and understanding. Make sure that you actually need clarification. Admit if you are unsure about what the speaker means. Youve explained the situation and asked for clarification so that you can solve a problem. Every day, we get engaged in conversations for different purposes. Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. 1 vote 1 answer 18 views. Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? I am sorry, but did you say he is the companys CEO? Dont make it sound bad. Thanks for clearly letting me know your opinion; I value whatever you suggest. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. Whether you're meeting with a foreign client, seeing a doctor, or taking an online English lesson, there will be times when you don't understand what the other person just said. Have a listen: I got it. If you are in a situation where you are being given a lot of information that you may not fully understand, using this phrase is a great way to get the information you need without looking like youre completely lost. Indicate that this is a request to set up a meeting in the subject line by including words like discussion', 'meeting' or schedule'. Would you mind saying what type of permission, written or verbal, you need? Lets move on. Both the past and present tense are acceptable. Heres an example of just to make sure were on the same page being used professionally. Thank them for the interview Lets take a look at some common cases that can come up in our work and personal lives and consider the best ways to respond. Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? Use a call to action to clarify the next steps. Asking For Clarification ENGLISH FORUMS. Once someone clarifies something for you, you must appreciate their effort. Please let me know if you need any other information. New Questions. Avoid Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? Otherwise, you may not do it properly what you are instructed for. May I? Can I? and Could I? are three of the most common expressions in English used to ask for permission. Just to be clear, my working hours are 8am-4pm and you will be unable to contact me outside those hours for work-related purposes. Ultimately, who should be responsible for completing. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Thanks, you cared. Well! Exemplary scenarios include presenting technical manufacturing information for a specific machine, device, or appliance (Ex. WebAlexander was a polite, considerate and astute student, who was always friendly, focused on his studies and considerate of others. being one of the first students to arrive at the class and asking detailed questions for clarification and verification of his understanding afterwards. If you I learned that if two players sack cooperatively, each defender gets 0.5 sacks in their statistics. Writing a letter for clarification is easy if you follow our advice. Why dont people respond? For instance you may use: Both are polite colloquial usage. I dont quite catch what you said. Moreover, it will imply that you think you already know what the answer is, even though you need clarification! Thank you! You'll learn how to structure email clarifications, what to include, and see how it works with 9 examples and a template. Asking for clarification email to boss sample You can use this any time further clarification is needed. WebKnowing how to ask for clarification politely is simple with a question like could you please clarify? It shows that youd like someone to add further information to something by clarifying what they mean.

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