If I understood you correctly, you would like me to Could you please clarify what you meant by? Informally You can simply say Sorry? or Come again? with a curious tone to ask someone for clarification. Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. Supercharge your communication with Flowrite. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Be polite while asking. Mind Your Manners! Helping Students Ask for Clarification in 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. ), your name, and your signature. Reminder Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. 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 After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? follow up emails This FREE e-course will help you let go of your need to keep other people happy and step into your personal power. 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? "That sounds really good. English Speaking Practice || How to Ask for Clarification in English || Beginner- Advanced levels. and then say something like: Im sorry, I didnt understand what you just said.. 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. Would approach A or B be more helpful here? ", 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. Please send your invoice for all work from our most recent contract to youremail@email.com and CC me. Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. I appreciate your detailed explanation, however, I am unclear about which approach we should follow. 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. How to Ask for Clarification Politely - Collaborative Solutions By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Asking for clarification shows that youre attentive and that you care enough to make sure you thoroughly understand what youve been told. 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. ", Instead of saying "I don't understand," you can also just say "I'm (a little) confused. Heres what it might look like. When you ask someone to clarify their position, its better to ask them open-ended questions (WH questionsand Choice/Alternativequestions) rather than closed questions (Yes-Noand Tag questions). May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. I beg your pardon. I snickered, thinking that Janet had come around so soon. Thank you for providing the information about [Topic X]. Next, state your current understanding of the situation. In our personal & professional life, while talking to someone, we all have situations when we dont clearly understand what the other person is saying. Sorry, but I didnt quite catch your statement. Thanks.. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. I am available for a phone call or meeting if that would be helpful. The first thing you should do is thank the sender for providing the information. There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. How important it may become at times to ask for clarification. You can use this any time further clarification is needed. Show enthusiasm for the position. For example, a potential new employer may ask a candidate for clarification on details about a previous role. he asked, feigning a concerned expression. What I meant was. Not sure if this was meant for me. Clarification This article will introduce you to some pointers on how to request clarification via email. Show respect. Looking for clarification? how to politely and natively reply an email and ask question, Looking for a word attributing the state of revealing the past. WebGeneral rules on how to politely interrupt in a meeting Rule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in Rule #2: Apologize for interrupting Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand How to interrupt politely in a meeting Scenario #1: When one person is dominating the conversation This phrase indicates that you are clearly trying to be polite, as please and thank you are reserved for polite, formal speech. For the record, I would like it known I brought this issue to light weeks before it was a problem. I have discussed several situations where you may need to ask for clarification in English. Can/Could/Would you give me an example, please? Doubling the cube, field extensions and minimal polynoms. 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. Needing clarification is not a bad thing, and understanding 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. Youve explained the situation and asked for clarification so that you can solve a problem. 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. Have you wanted me to send the emails first, then attend the meeting? Asking For Clarification ENGLISH FORUMS. See if the information makes sense to someone else. 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. 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. Establish your credibility. "Mr.Lyman, could you come out here please? When youre writing a professional email, you may find yourself tired of using the phrase just to clarify, but cant come up with any other options, dont worry! 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. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Can/Would/Could you be a bit/little more specific, please? Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Greet your reader. Refresh if you want to submit another email. You can contact me on (insert details). A salutation followed by the hiring manager's name is common. You can edit and adapt these as required to get the necessary information. Open Question: How will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? Heres how. 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 something is mentioned at the beginning of a meeting or lecture and individuals dont have sufficient time to process that information relative to additional content, or they werent paying attention, there is a high probability that such individuals will have no idea what was said previously. Is it correct to use "the" before "materials used in making buildings are"? Now, lets see some English expressions that you can use to respond to someones clarification. Otherwise, you'll have established a better understanding for what you need to know, and you can put that to the researchers. Ah, I see. Its highly likely you'll need to clarify details with a client at some stage. Here is an example of how to use can you elaborate professionally. If you are wanting to ask for clarification politely, blaming the other person is definitely not the way to go. 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. ask for clarification I want to request you to repeat it, may I? Sometimes, even though were confused, it is simply because we have not been informed of all of the information that is being presented. The first thing to remember when asking for clarification is that you can be honest and straightforward. Sorry to interrupt, but would you be more specific about what you seek permission for? 1 vote 1 answer 18 views. Here's an example showing how Flowrite can write a formal request for you from a few instructions: Clarification emails are simple to write as long as you stick to the structure and focus on the outcomes. Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? Clarity is the key to effective communication. Now, well learn useful expressions to ask someone to clarify instructions. Below is a helpful structure, and some phrases, to help you politely get what you want with your clarification emails. Master 101 frequent business situations with our eBook! If you need extra information from a candidate, this clarification email after an interview provides the ideal structure. Flowrite turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages across your browser. It lets everyone know you mean business and that they better listen to what youre about to tell them because you probably wont repeat yourself. Include your contact details and how they can get in touch with you. So, you must request them to do this favor for you. Thanks, Tannia, for your support! Chris G. 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. Sometimes, using just to clarify doesnt convey how you feel when youre asking for more information. I am sorry, but did you say he is the companys CEO? Suppose you just received a prescription from the doctor after the diagnosis. Asking for clarification or something else is fast using artificial intelligence. May I request further clarification of instruction number 5? Closed Question: Did you always feel that it was a challenge working with him? Start with an explanatory subject line Try to make the subject line of your email clear and self-explanatory. Janet opened the door and smiled slightly. 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. WebSo, if you need some clarification for what you just heard, you can use phrases like Sorry, what did you mean by that? GET IN TOUCH 514.551.0493 | [emailprotected]. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Have you just suggested calling him when he is home? He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. The difference between these two phrases is only in how they are grammatically structured, with clarify being a verb and clarification being a noun. 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. Your help will go a long way in helping to resolve [issue]. The best way to ensure that you come across as polite is if you use Please and Thank You when speaking. boss/manager asking for clarification on ?" 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. Read more about Martin here. So, if you are confused about understanding what the other person said in a conversation, you should ask for clarification. Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate. Conversations, email dialogues, and even text messages progress best when everyone has the same understanding. Asking Clarification Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. Asking for clarification email to boss sample 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. Avoid 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. Its my bad that I dont quite understand you. Request to clarify a Freedom of Information request to. ask for clarification Can you rephrase the instructions, please? This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. How do you ask for clarification? "Come in.Whats up?" In most cases, you can save face by solving your own problem without asking a question to clarify. How to Ask for Help You can also get another perspective by asking someone else to review the information. It felt awesome. Did you say that you want to go there alone? 10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification in English Admit if you are unsure about what the speaker means. A reference has been provided on how to professionally use for your information. For instance you may use: Both are polite colloquial usage. Have you requested to send me the MS Word file or the PDF? How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? However, it would be best to ask for clarification when you dont get someones statement or information. When someone expresses their opinion, you may not clearly understand what they mean or what their position about the matter is. You should thank them from the core of your heart. How would you explain it to me?" Would you please repeat what you said about our new project? Here is a great example of how to use just to be clear professionally in an email. Recently, an American client told me that shes really impressed with my English. You got this! Asking for Clarification - City University of New York Grammarly For MS Office - HereS How to Ask For Clarification from So You must not behave and speak in a formal setting as you do in an informal one. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your words.? Looking for an email writer generator, email helper, or email correction app? Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. WebTo ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. If I don't hear from you by (date/time), I'll give you a call. Be polite while asking. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification when someone asks for your permission. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. If I understand you correctly, you want Carolyn to add her SEO changes to the documents marked PENDING in the Google Drive. How To Ask Generally, asking for clarification is not undesirable in most social circles, particularly during long, technical presentations in academic, educational, or professional settings. Type a command in the box below. To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. Did you mean to send me? Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Lets take a look at Don't worry: Asking for clarification is easy. Have you asked for permission to use my laptop? Monitoring your tone of voice is a key element of learning to ask for clarification politely. You mean you need some books from the library, isnt it? When someone makes any requeststo you to do something, you need to understand what precisely the person is asking from you. Im not quite clear on a few things and I want to make sure were on the same page. The difference between just to clarify and just for clarification is fairly small. [2]. *this is very polite) Can you explain what you mean? In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. 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. In such situations, it is highly probable that someone will wish to ask for clarification. If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. "If I understand you correctly " is a slightly more formal way to check your understanding. link to 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. It only takes a minute to sign up. They allow the person to expand on the topic rather than giving a simple yes or no response. Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. So, how do you politely ask for clarification in English? You might say: Nows not the time to use the command form of any verb; dont say things like Say it again, slower! or You need to give us more examples! Those are clear indications that you are not being polite. Most often, when it comes to being perceived as polite when seeking clarification, the concern is heightened by those asking for clarification. Every day, we get engaged in conversations for different purposes. Sometimes we zone out, but sometimes we just dont understand. To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. Today, we'll introduce 10 polite English expressions for requesting clarification. Doctor: Oh, sure. Is it possible to elaborate on what you said right now? How To Request Clarification Via Email Template. Here's a helpful thank you template for email clarification. Clarification For many people, asking for clarification is incredibly embarrassing, while others may find themselves disrupting the flow of the conversation in an attempt to clarify a statement only to receive scorn from those around them. Asking for clarification. Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? Check your tone of voice. ", Telling your conversation partner what you think they meant is an effective way to ask for clarification. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I Well learn some expressions to ask for clarification on someones questions. Would it be possible for me to hear from you about this again? How do you explain something in an email? ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Your assistance will go a long way in helping to resolve [issue]. Thus we need to ask them for further clarification without feeling awkward. ." It also allows for a wide range of expression as the tone it is said in can add more meaning to the phrase. You'll learn how to structure email clarifications, what to include, and see how it works with 9 examples and a template. 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. In other words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Many of us have a gap in communication at work or with a business or provider, but writing a request for clarification can sometimes be a scary prospect. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. WebRule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in. If you can help me with these questions by the end of the day, I can get started on the project immediately. Both phrases can be used to ask for more information or to give more information when someone requests it of you. 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. [3]. 2. Could I ask for clarification on? Here well see some expressions you can use to ask for clarification in English on someones statement or information.