how to ask for clarification politely
Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. Weve all been there: a long meeting, an intense lecture, a complicated sales presentation. It's even better if you can have conversations and get corrected by a professional English tutor! ask for clarification Closed questions always lead to a yes or no answer, and hence, gather limited information. So, if you are confused about understanding what the other person said in a conversation, you should ask for clarification. Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. If thats the case, it's best to get straight into business. 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. How To Request Clarification Via Email - Email Effective So, how do you politely ask for clarification on someones request in English? Show enthusiasm for the position. This shows you have a desire for more information and it sounds as though you are genuinely invested in the current topic at hand. If you can help me with these questions by the end of the day, I can get started on the project immediately. Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? Writing invoice emails can be tricky and they are often an area where you may need more information and clarification. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? 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. 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. "Come in.Whats up?" Can you please be a bit more specific about the price? Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. State what the speaker has said as you understand it, and check whether this is what they really said. The best questions are open-ended. 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. If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has It can be used very formally, or it can be used with a subtle undertone of disdaine and attitude while still providing information. Thanks, you cared. Now, well learn some useful expressions to ask someone to clarify instructions. May I ask you to clarify your position on this? Thanks, Tannia, for your support! Chris G. Youve explained the situation and asked for clarification so that you can solve a problem. How to Write a Thank You Email for a Salary Increase Good Communication Makes You More Valuable. Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. 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. Looking for clarification? 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. What happens if three defenders sack together? Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. See if the information makes sense to someone else. She should leave her changes as suggestions. If it's critical you get a response, you can offer to follow up. In English, the respondent would immediately understand that you need more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? A reference has been provided on how to professionally use for your information. If you're facing a deadline, you should always include details about when you need to receive answers. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. So, how do you politely ask for clarification in English? It starts with a simple subject line. Asking clarifying questions shows that you're actively listening and want to understand. Im sorry, but I couldnt follow your question. Make sure that you dont point fingers or blame the other person for not conveying information well enough. If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. Remember, technical skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. WebRule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in. In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. 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. Interrupting Politely, Interjecting Opinions, and Sharing Ideas 9 Best Ways to Politely Ask for Information in an Email - Grammarhow 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. Ask For the record can be a great phrase to use if youre looking to substitute the phrase just to clarify. Ultimately, who should be responsible for completing. For example, you could write, "Hello, Ms. Q: I've tried that. When asking for clarification, the key to being polite is to embrace the opposite of the principles noted above: Ask at the proper time, use a polite format and present your question in a genuine and sincere manner. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? Your submission has been received! A great example of why this is a good synonym phrase to use when you want more information about something, but you dont want to come off as intimidating or rude by using just to clarify. If students have never learned how to politely ask for clarification, youll need to teach them courteous English expressions and when to use them. Amid the four types of questions commonly asked, clarification questions are probably the most understandable and justifiable in any circumstance. This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. *Its better to use Past, not Present. If that's the case, this job offer clarification email sample is for you. On many occasions, you may not receive the exact information for many reasons. Other opinions. Sorry, but I didnt quite catch your statement. Open Question: How will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? May I request you share your queries again? English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. "That sounds really good. ", Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. And yet, we all have times in our personal and professional lives when we dont thoroughly understand what someone else is trying to tell us. When you ask a clarification question, you help to create a greater level of understanding not just for yourself but also for the speaker and those in attendance. When someone makes any requeststo you to do something, you need to understand what precisely the person is asking from you. In a situation where you feel as though you dont have all of the information, whether thats because you missed part of it or it just seems as though theres a gap, using just so I understand gives you the time to go over what you do know and lets others fill in any missing pieces. Will you be a bit more specific about your experiences? 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. Ah, I see. Ask Say that you didnt understand rather than saying that the other person could not clarify it. Informal Sorry, I didnt catch that. For example, if you seek clarification, then you can ask: Could you please explain how to politely ask for clarification? Bullet points are a great way to share information, Insert your questions/clarification request. 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? The first thing you should do is thank the sender for providing the information. Could/Would/Can you explain what you mean by this? I wish you good health. It gives you an easy way to state what you mean, directly letting everyone know you are sharing pertinent information. (A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. Please find re-attached for your convenience. Both the past and present tense are acceptable. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago Modified 6 years, 9 months ago Viewed 3k times 1 This is a So, how do you do it? Make sure to add a sign-off (thanks, kind regards, etc. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. 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. For your information is a phrase you can use when you want it to be clear to all that you are going to provide information. You can end on a positive note by thanking the other person for their time and consideration of their clarification request. Thank you! But can you repeat it so I can be sure about what you suggested? 1 Answer. Will you please share the total amount again? When someone asks you to re-explain a complicated task, your first inclination is probably to say, Wait, what? By speaking solely in terms of your own perspective, your listener will be more open to further discussion. Why dont people respond? Meeting Thanks.. How to Prepare for Your First Destiny 2 Raid Once again, clarification would be necessary. Could/Would you please put it differently so that it becomes easy for me to understand? No worries! And that's how to end an email asking for clarification. Scenario #2: When the conversation gets sidetracked. Below is an example of how to use do I understand professionally. I appreciate your help. May I ask you to share your suggestions again? ", Telling your conversation partner what you think they meant is an effective way to ask for clarification. A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. 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. Greet your reader. Be non-accusatory. Use a call to action to clarify the next steps. There are times when we ask for suggestions from the people surrounding us. How to make a GPT-3 model remember past conversations? Using phrases such as Im sorry or Excuse me when asking for clarification indicates a participatory tone that simply seeks better understanding. There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. Let me see if I understand this is a phrase that says clearly what you mean in words everyone can understand with no potential hidden meanings. I am available for a phone call or meeting if that would be helpful or more convenient for you. ?". Thank them for the interview WebAsking for Clarification. Open Question: What was it about Bobs approach that seemed disruptive to you? Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. Would you please repeat the instructions for the team again? Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. How To Ask For Clarification Like A Native English Speaker - Talaera WebDepends on the clarification. How to agree/disagree. Would you say that again, please? & I am afraid I didnt quite catch that. Click here for 1:1 customized coaching programs that will help you achieve your career goals faster. Here well see some expressions you can use to ask for clarification in English on someones statement or information. If you can't find it on our listing of the best email writing tools, you won't need it. What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? One example is when you are presented with new content that you havent had a chance to review prior to a presentation or conversation. An example is provided below on the professional usage of just so I understand. Using phrases such as Im sorry or Can you rephrase the instructions, please? How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Next, state your current understanding of the situation. Well! Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? I'm keen to make a decision this week, so can you provide me with answers by (date)? How To Write An Email To A Manager (With Examples - Indeed 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. Heres what it might look like. It only takes a minute to sign up. Avoid For more on this topic, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I post many helpful videos for leaders and teams who want to unlock the secrets to stress-free communication. Those suggestions sometimes are too important in our professional and personal life. Use this template to diplomatically seek clarification whenever you get one of these rambly, not-exactly-sure-of-what-this-means email. New Questions. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. Lindsays approach has been profoundly influenced by her work with First Nations organizations, her experience as a parent to two children with pervasive mental health challenges, and the premature loss of both of her parents. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance. DeFrank." 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. In doing so, you will be perceived as non-accusatory and therefore, not threatening. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Sorry? Exemplary scenarios include presenting technical manufacturing information for a specific machine, device, or appliance (Ex. To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. So, to understand the request, on many occasions, you may need to ask for clarification. Start with a polite greeting It's polite to start written correspondence with a greeting. If you'd like to send in a quote for the article, please share your answer to the following question and explain your reasoning behind it. Could you please vs Would you please? Clarification Do I understand correctly that you want to reduce the funds for the IT department before changing the security system? 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. Niaj A A Khan is an ESL Instructor with over 7 years of experience in teaching & developing resources at different universities and institutes. We can split clarification emails into three parts. How to Ask for Clarification Politely - Collaborative Solutions Email format guide 6 examples & templates. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your suggestions. Be polite while asking. Provided is an example of how just making sure can be used professionally. Now, here are 9 clarification email samples and a template to show you how to apply these insights. Dont make it sound bad. . Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. Would you be able to confirm some details? If someone orders you or gives instructionsto do something, its essential to fully understand what they say. Are you aware of how your tone of voice conveys different messages? Would/Could you please repeat what you said about the issue? How to Ask for Permission Politely in English Useful English Phrases for Discussion Here are some expressions to ask for clarification when someone asks for your permission. Im glad that you specifically explained the issue. Can you repeat the ways I have to do it? Bullet points are the most effective way of listing out your questions. There are all kinds of situations where you might need to ask clarifying questions. Ask for specific examples. When you ask someone to "elaborate on" something, you're asking them to explain it in greater detail, which is another good way to ask for clarification. Is that/this ok if I ask/request you to clarify it?
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