how to ask for clarification politely
There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. It can help ensure that whatever youre saying does not come across in a way that is not intended. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? 10 Polite Ways To Say "Just To Clarify" (Professional Email) Informally You can simply say Sorry? or Come again? with a curious tone to ask someone for clarification. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? Today, we'll introduce 10 polite English expressions for requesting clarification. ask for clarification Clarity is the key to effective communication. Thank you for sending me information about (product/service). 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. How do you ask for clarification? It felt awesome. 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. and then say something like: Im sorry, I didnt understand what you just said.. This article breaks down the process of writing request emails for information, documents, contact details, favors and more. Heres an example of how to use for the record in a professional manner. Sorry, what was that? Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. ask for clarification Each intonation 2. Can you please be a bit more specific about the price? Exemplary scenarios include presenting technical manufacturing information for a specific machine, device, or appliance (Ex. (We told you it was easy, now see our examples!). Would you mind saying what type of permission, written or verbal, you need? In this example, you're a job seeker; this is how you reply to a recruiter asking for clarification. As we are independently owned, the recommendations made here are our own. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification when someone asks for your permission. You can end on a positive note by thanking the other person for their time and consideration of their clarification request. 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. It will keep everything flowing smoothly with the new website launch. 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. Master 101 frequent business situations with our eBook! 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. ?". Youd like to ask for clarification, but youre not sure how in a polite way. Thanks for the effort you made to explain it again. Ask Or rather, try to bridge your current understanding so that you can move forward. Did you ask about the total turnover for this year? [1]. 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. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning. 10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification in English rev2023.3.3.43278. Could/Would/Can you explain what you mean by this? Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? Here are some useful expressions to ask someone to clarify their position or opinion. If you need any other information, please let me know. If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. 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 Tannia is a very authentic person and is able to provide clients powerful and versatile communication tools that can be employed in daily conversations, in negotiations or in meetings. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Here we give you 5 tips and provide 4 example emails to help you write better help request 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. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. "As per your request. <-- This is a past question A: Try plugging your phone into the charger for an hour and then turn it on. Follow the format, keep things clear, and always include your contact details! DeFrank." Tips Start with Dear and the persons title and name. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Phrases to Use to Confirm Information - ThoughtCo Rule #2: Apologize for interrupting. In fact, guessing and getting it wrong is more likely to cause problems than politely asking for more info. How To Request Clarification Via Email Template. How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. *this is very polite) Can you explain what you mean? Sorry if I was unclear. If I understood you correctly, you would like me to Could you please clarify what you meant by? Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. Here, Ill share some ways to ask for clarification on someones suggestions in English. Read and listen to these possible responses. Do you mind if I ask you to mention his name again? Could I ask for clarification on? Closed Question: So, you felt Bobs approach was too disruptive? ", Another way to say "I don't understand" is to say "I don't follow" or "I'm not following. Next, state your current understanding of the situation. Now, here are 9 clarification email samples and a template to show you how to apply these insights. Huh? Give your reader a deadline. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. May I know what you just wanted permission for.? This sample clarification email to a client will help you get the details and data you need positively and professionally. 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. Moreover, it will imply that you think you already know what the answer is, even though you need clarification! 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. In our personal & professional life, while talking to someone, we all have situations when we dont clearly understand what the other person is saying. Make sure to add a sign-off (thanks, kind regards, etc. Thanks, you cared. New Questions. Why You Should Ask Could You Please Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. Managing conflicts or misunderstandings through email communication can be challenging. Would you be able to help me with these questions before then? Would you please repeat the instructions for the team again? There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. I appreciate your help. Scenario #1: When one person is dominating the conversation. Finally, there are some individuals who have trouble paying attention, to begin with, whether because of ADD or ADHD. Sorted by: 2. Establish your credibility. 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. So if you ask someone to "break down" something they said, you ask them to explain it part by part. 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. How to Very often, a presenter will use this period to summarize whatever information has been presented, particularly if a question seeks clarification of a specific topic, so asking a clarification question will help to guide the lecturers attempt to explain what was presented. Would you please tell me your thoughts about the issue again? Sometimes we zone out, but sometimes we just dont understand. Your help will go a long way in helping to resolve [issue]. Asking for clarification shows that youre attentive and that you care enough to make sure you thoroughly understand what youve been told. ", Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. Ask for specific examples. When asking for clarification, its always best to either wait for a formal question and answer period or a pause in the flow of a presentation or conversation. For example, something like: Write an email to my boss asking for a day off of work. How to follow the signal when reading the schematic? Such individuals would then feel lost or misinformed simply because they missed when information was presented, making clarification necessary. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Can/Could/Would you give me an example, please? 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. So what can you say instead? Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand. Even if you dont quite understand what they are trying to communicate, express your thanks to them for their time and effort. How To Write An Email To A Manager (With Examples - Indeed 2. Writing a letter for clarification is easy if you follow our advice. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate.