how to ask for clarification politely

You can also get another perspective by asking someone else to review the information. So, you must ask for clarification if you dont understand them. Would you mind telling me the whole formula in detail? vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? I appreciate your time and your help in clarifying this question. Why dont people respond? So, how do you politely ask for clarification in English? ", Telling your conversation partner what you think they meant is an effective way to ask for clarification. I am available for a phone call or meeting if that would be helpful or more convenient for you. A thesaurus is your friend here. Katie Holmes is a senior author at everyday-courtesy.com with over 15 years of experience in marketing and psychology. 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. GET IN TOUCH 514.551.0493 | [emailprotected]. Sorry, what was that? If students have never learned how to politely ask for clarification, youll need to teach them courteous English expressions and when to use them. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. Similarly, we live in a fairly distracting world where a variety of daily concerns coupled with the endless distractions present in any environment impede our already strained processing capabilities. 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. Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. Perhaps you find yourself asking for clarification a few times and it feels awkward when you still dont agree with the person. State what the speaker has said as you understand it, and check whether this is what they really said. ." In this article, we'll show you how to request clarification via email. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. The second makes you sound more informed. Sorry, but I didnt quite catch your statement. Its an easy phrase used to help break the barrier of communication and make sure everyone has the same information. ". The meaning of both phrases is the same and used interchangeably. Will you please mention again the name of the items you requested from the store? Both are fine options, but if we're being pedantic, they mean slightly different things. A slightly more polite version of this phrase is "I'm not sure what you mean by . 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. Now, lets see some English expressions that you can use to respond to someones clarification. Could we connect on this issue before the meeting at 2PM tomorrow? Would you say that again, please? & I am afraid I didnt quite catch that. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? Not sure if this was meant for me. 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. My deadline for this project is [date]. Would/Could you please clarify it for me/us? You mean you need some books from the library, isnt it? There are many situations where you might find yourself needing to ask for clarification. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. For instance, we can say Im not sure that I agree with that in an aggressive tone, or in an inquisitive tone, and this will impact how the message is received by our listener. My goal is to complete [Task A] by Thursday, so this information will help me to get started immediately. 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. Heres an example to show you how it works: Dear Ms. Browne, Could you please clarify whether this is correct? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Say that you didnt understand rather than saying that the other person could not clarify it. Im glad that you specifically explained the issue. We've outlined the process to create clarification emails. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. I beg your pardon. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I Moreover, it will imply that you think you already know what the answer is, even though you need clarification! Please let me know how we can avoid this in the future. These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise. It also allows for a wide range of expression as the tone it is said in can add more meaning to the phrase. How do you ask for clarification? Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. (meaning to say it in another way) is appropriate. Managing conflicts or misunderstandings through email communication can be challenging. I didnt quite catch it. Learn how to format emails and get your point across in a professional manner by checking out these 6 common email formats. How to interrupt politely in a meeting. There are all kinds of situations where you might need to ask clarifying questions. Every day, we get engaged in conversations for different purposes. The clarification email structure is still the same, but we can assume your boss is already on top of the details. 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. Show enthusiasm for the position. Greet your reader. Is that/this ok if I ask/request you to clarify it? Here is an example of how to use can you elaborate professionally. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Below is an example of how to use do I understand professionally. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. WebHow do you politely ask for something? Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. 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. I appreciate your help. Asking for clarification. If you need any other information, please let me know. 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. Sometimes, even though were confused, it is simply because we have not been informed of all of the information that is being presented. It appears there has been a breakdown in communication. Asking clarifying questions shows that you're actively listening and want to understand. 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? 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. Can/Could/Would you give me an example, please? Remember, technical skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Informally You can simply say Sorry? or Come again? with a curious tone to ask someone for clarification. How to ask for something in an email with 9 examples, Request for meeting email with samples and templates. Write a clear subject line, or respond directly to the email you wish to clarify. Show that you appreciate them taking the additional time to review the email, and describe how the information will help achieve the goal. Can you repeat the ways I have to do it? 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, Could/Would/Can you be a bit clearer about it? Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. 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? Heres how. 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. We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. May I ask you to explain your observation about the new design further? Still, you may feel like youre being rude if you ask for clarification on the schedule, format, and personal perceptions of those in attendance. They allow the person to expand on the topic rather than giving a simple yes or no response. "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". Can you assist me with this question by tomorrow afternoon? Sometimes, you need to use a firm tone to let everyone know whos in charge and whats going on, and the phrase let me make this clear does just that. 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. Sometimes, using just to clarify doesnt convey how you feel when youre asking for more information. Could you please repeat it? are the common formal ways of asking someone for clarification in English. And that's how to end an email asking for clarification. Email format guide 6 examples & templates. Please reload the page and try again. To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? How would you explain it to me?" Open Question: What were you expecting to experience? 10 Polite Ways To Say "Just To Clarify" (Professional Email) The clarification email format should be no surprise if you're already used to writing professional messages. English Speaking Practice || How to Ask for Clarification in English || Beginner- Advanced levels. This article will introduce you to some pointers on how to request clarification via email. Rule #2: Apologize for interrupting. Both phrases can be used to ask for more information or to give more information when someone requests it of you. Its also a great way to allow someone else to add more information they may have forgotten. Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? Not doing so and beginning to speak while the presenter is still speaking is seen as very rude in just about any formal setting. Show respect. 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. Lets take a look at How do you explain something in an email? So, to understand the request, on many occasions, you may need to ask for clarification. Now it is time to write your clarification email. I admire that you clarified your position. Read more about Martin here. Now, lets learn some expressions that native speakers of English commonly use to ask for clarification. Also known as clarification letters, clarification emails are used to get the information required to move forward. In fact, guessing and getting it wrong is more likely to cause problems than politely asking for more info.

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