How important it may become at times to ask for clarification. Show respect. Don't worry: Asking for clarification is easy. Regardless of the situation: informal, semi-formal, or formal, you are expected to be polite in your choice of words, voice tone, and body language whenever you ask for permission. You can contact me on (insert details). 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. Can/Could/Would you give me an example, please? Can/Could/Would you please repeat your take on that? Now, lets learn some expressions that native speakers of English commonly use to ask for clarification. Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. 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. Oops! When it comes to the proper format for asking a clarification question or seeking clarification, the key is to use basic rules of etiquette. It makes the phrase sound a little bit softer and a little more polite. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification on their requests. Thanks for clearly letting me know your opinion; I value whatever you suggest. WebA listener can ask for clarification when they cannot make sense of the speaker's responses. <-- This is a past question A: Try plugging your phone into the charger for an hour and then turn it on. There are all kinds of situations where you might need to ask clarifying questions. For the record can be a great phrase to use if youre looking to substitute the phrase just to clarify. Thanks.. Scenario #2: When the conversation gets sidetracked. (A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. Here is some language that you can use. Would you be able to help me with these questions before then? Just to clarify can be a phrase some view as intimidating, as they may feel you are doubting them or acting as though you are above them. Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. By utilizing the appropriate language and tone, these delicate situations can be navigated smoothly and professionally. Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. One great way to do this is to ask a lot of open-ended questions. Have you just suggested calling him when he is home? 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. Today, we'll introduce 10 polite English expressions for requesting clarification. Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. Usually the information you seek is written on the card. * Could you please be more specific? And that's how to end an email asking for clarification. Before you do this exercise, its a good idea to check out our information on intonation and stress. Messaging your boss or manager is slightly different from the formal format we use above. It sometimes happens that interviewers may need extra information after your meeting. Here is a great example of how to use just to be clear professionally in an email. Could you explain a bit about your concerns regarding the other solution?, I dont think I fully understand what you were saying about Could you tell me a bit more?, I think it might help me if I could understand a few more details about that part of the project., Could you give me a concrete example to help me understand how that might affect our current situation?, understand the other persons point of view. 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. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your suggestions. Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. Styling contours by colour and by line thickness in QGIS. Asking for clarification or something else is fast using artificial intelligence. Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? Say that you didnt understand rather than saying that the other person could not clarify it. Both phrases can be used to ask for more information or to give more information when someone requests it of you. Manage meeting requests like a pro with our in-depth guide to writing the best meeting request emails. Make sure that you actually need clarification. Do you mind if I ask you to mention his name again? Have you wanted me to send the emails first, then attend the meeting? Both of them are fine in any conversation of an official nature, but are not exclusively limited to just the two. ", Another way to say "I don't understand" is to say "I don't follow" or "I'm not following. You got this! Grammarly stands with our friends, colleagues, and family in Ukraine, and with all people of Ukraine. 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? Thank you for sending me information about (product/service). ?" So, how do you politely ask for clarification on someones request in English? "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". 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. May I ask you to explain your observation about the new design further? WebClarifying What You Heard, Asking Someone to Repeat Themselves, and Confirming Your Understanding Communication Skills: Express Yourself Clearly Get Your Number Stress Right: How to Pronounce Numbers Clearly in English The Power of Pitch: Change Your Tone for Better Stress and Intonation in English In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. When a situation comes up and no one can seem to agree on what has happened, using for the record is a great way to state your information quickly and concisely or ask for someone elses information directly. Using indicator constraint with two variables. Closed Question: Will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? Lets take a look at Did you mean to send me? Did you ask about the total turnover for this year? Please send your invoice for all work from our most recent contract to youremail@email.com and CC me. WebYour clarification email includes everything I need to progress. Type a command in the box below. It also depends on how big the work is, but I think that generally asking for clarification is never a bad idea. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Could you give me some more details about? Request to clarify a Freedom of Information request to. ", 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. No worries! I snickered, thinking that Janet had come around so soon. To ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? So, how do you do it? Sorry, one more time? Ah, I see. When someone expresses their opinion, you may not clearly understand what they mean or what their position about the matter is. If we take a look at the following example: You are a friendly support person. It appears there has been a breakdown in communication. 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 Writing a letter for clarification is easy if you follow our advice. For example, you could write, "Hello, Ms. Many people presenting or relaying information are not aware of how others are processing what they are saying, leading them to talk above others and preventing them from digesting what is being presented. Which form is more polite and more acceptable for correspondence? writing effective letters Public World. Include your contact details and how they can get in touch with you. Thank you! The first thing you should do is thank the sender for providing the information. There are many situations where you might find yourself needing to ask for clarification. Let the person know if you dont quite grasp the issue or if you only understand part of it. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Read on below the template to learn why each section is important, and for additional tips and useful information so you can make sure that your email comes across well. Thanks for I am available for a phone call or meeting if that would be helpful. Could we connect on this issue before the meeting at 2PM tomorrow? Show enthusiasm for the position. You'll learn how to structure email clarifications, what to include, and see how it works with 9 examples and a template. Interrupting to ask for clarification. If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate. In your salutation, use the name that the person emailing you signed off with in their message, or whatever name they used when they introduced themselves if you've already met in person. When someone makes any requeststo you to do something, you need to understand what precisely the person is asking from you. 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. Practice the mechanics: Many of the mechanics youll encounter in a raid can also be found in other activities. Informally You can simply say Sorry? or Come again? with a curious tone to ask someone for clarification. In such a business situation I would offer my business card and politely ask: "Do you have a card I could have?" If I understand you correctly, you want Carolyn to add her SEO changes to the documents marked PENDING in the Google Drive. Do I understand correctly that you want to reduce the funds for the IT department before changing the security system? 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. My deadline for this project is [date]. In most cases, you can save face by solving your own problem without asking a question to clarify. You need more information to fully understand what they mean, but the other person is getting irritated with all of your questions? In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. ", Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. See if the information makes sense to someone else. In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. Now, lets see some English expressions that you can use to respond to someones clarification. Lets move on. WebSample Email Asking Clarification From Client This is likewise one of the factors by obtaining the soft documents of this Sample Email Asking Clarification From how to ask for clarification politely collaborative solutions web here are a We encounter numerous questionsin our everyday life. Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? WebTo ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. Open Question: When did you first notice that it was a challenge working with him? 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. Therefore, If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? A good way is to summarize what you have understood and didnt. Please reload the page and try again. Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. Let me see if I understand this; you want to create a proposal which would limit our available staff positions for hire? If you're reading this post, you probably want to improve your English conversation skills, and the best way to do that is by having actual conversations. Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. Be non-accusatory. This article breaks down the process of writing request emails for information, documents, contact details, favors and more. But can you repeat it so I can be sure about what you suggested? What do you think about somebody/something. If you need to seek clarification during a presentation, the polite way to do so would be to raise your hand or use some non-offensive gesture to attract the speakers attention (no middle fingers!) Read more about Martin here. May I ask you to say the things again that you requested earlier? An example is provided below on the professional usage of just so I understand. Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. Question and answer site. We can split clarification emails into three parts. Close the email politely and thoughtfully. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? We thoroughly test different courses, books, learning materials, etc., and recommend only the bests. Could/Would you please put it differently so that it becomes easy for me to understand? For ESL learners, interrupting someone while someone is talking can Linguix vs. Grammarly: Which AI Writing Assistant Is Value for Money in 2023? Sample Letters for Request Bank To Clarify Service Charge. In doing so, you will be perceived as non-accusatory and therefore, not threatening. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I Open Question: What was it about Bobs approach that seemed disruptive to you? Well! Click here for 1:1 customized coaching programs that will help you achieve your career goals faster. Whenever confusing, lengthy, or multi-part topics are presented, there is a high probability that someone will have missed some of the information shared, prompting someone to seek clarification on the topic. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. ". In each case, you want to push for the information you need in a polite way to avoid damaging your relationships. In this situation, you may need to ask them to repeat, explain or clarify their position. 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. You can use the following template to make sure that you have effective communication for professional emails or personal emails. When It Is Considered Rude to Ask for Clarification, Theres Never a Time to Not Politely Seek Clarification. You want me to explain the whole thing all over again? This dynamic can create a frustrating feedback loop for both parties. 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. Here's a helpful thank you template for email clarification. Just to make sure were on the same page, all reports are to be completed by Tuesday. It would be best if you took it in the morning before the meal. Below is a helpful structure, and some phrases, to help you politely get what you want with your clarification emails. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. Many in attendance are often grateful that someone asks any clarification questions as they are too embarrassed to ask themselves! Your new game-changing quick reference tool is just a click away. It starts with a simple subject line. What I meant was. (A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. A tendency to avoid asking too many questions leads many people to avoid asking for clarification altogether because of a fear of being perceived as disruptive. If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. Thank you for your time and for helping me to clarify these questions. How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Will you be a bit more specific about your experiences? These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise. In this article, we'll show you how to request clarification via email. If your doctor gives you any instructions, you must follow them. ?" It can help ensure that whatever youre saying does not come across in a way that is not intended. Here are some examples: What would you like to see as the final deliverable? Monitoring your tone of voice is a key element of learning to ask for clarification politely. 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. If you can't find it on our listing of the best email writing tools, you won't need it. Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? Make your email easy to read. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. requesting help on restructuring project of our shared client SkyTechlet's discuss details over call or video conferenceyour advice invaluable. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago Modified 6 years, 9 months ago Viewed 3k times 1 This is a Or rather, try to bridge your current understanding so that you can move forward. Im glad that you specifically explained the issue. If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has he asked, feigning a concerned expression. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. in a polite way? 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? Check your tone of voice. Could/Would/Can you explain what you mean by this? 03 Mar 2023 13:44:40 Huh? To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. English Speaking Practice || How to Ask for Clarification in English || Beginner- Advanced levels. You should appreciate them and give them complimentsfor doing this favor for you. 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.