If someone orders you or gives instructionsto do something, its essential to fully understand what they say. Useful English Phrases for Discussion and Debate. About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality, A limit involving the quotient of two sums. . ), your name, and your signature. If you can help me with these questions by the end of the day, I can get started on the project immediately. How to Clarification Emails: Structure and Phrases - Target Training GmbH Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? You can end on a positive note by thanking the other person for their time and consideration of their clarification request. Can/Could/Would you please repeat your take on that? How important it may become at times to ask 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. This FREE e-course will help you let go of your need to keep other people happy and step into your personal power. Respond To A Confusing Email: An Email Template You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." A thesaurus is your friend here. Below is a reference example showing how let me make this clear can be used professionally. Monitoring your tone of voice is a key element of learning to ask for clarification politely. Have you just suggested calling him when he is home? English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Thus we need to ask them for further clarification without feeling awkward. Need help nailing down some details about a person, product, project, or appointment? Once again, clarification would be necessary. Phrases to Use to Confirm Information - ThoughtCo The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. The modal verb Would is the most formal word with which you can form the politest expressions. If you need extra information from a candidate, this clarification email after an interview provides the ideal structure. Well! How do you explain something in an email? Those suggestions sometimes are too important in our professional and personal life. Asking For Clarification ENGLISH FORUMS. Have you requested to send me the MS Word file or the PDF? Have you just said you will go to Coxs Bazar next week? Sorry, what was that? Open Question: What was it about Bobs approach that seemed disruptive to you? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Use this template to diplomatically seek clarification whenever you get one of these rambly, not-exactly-sure-of-what-this-means email. Sorry if I was unclear. May I ask you to clarify your position on this? Suppose you just received a prescription from the doctor after the diagnosis. Here is a great example of how to use just to be clear professionally in an email. Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. link to Linguix vs. Grammarly: Which AI Writing Assistant Is Value for Money in 2023? How to politely ask for clarification on a person's designation? Also known as clarification letters, clarification emails are used to get the information required to move forward. If it's critical you get a response, you can offer to follow up. 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. If thats the case, it's best to get straight into business. I didnt quite catch it. Can/Would/Could you be a bit/little more specific, please? Writing invoice emails can be tricky and they are often an area where you may need more information and clarification. Clarification Sample Letters How to Write a. When you want to ask for more clarification on something, but dont want to seem rude, do I understand allows you to ask for more information and gives others the ability to correct you if necessary without sounding as though they are berating or belittling you. Sometimes, using just to clarify doesnt convey how you feel when youre asking for more information. If I understand you correctly, you want Carolyn to add her SEO changes to the documents marked PENDING in the Google Drive. Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. Im sorry, but I couldnt follow your question. In fact, guessing and getting it wrong is more likely to cause problems than politely asking for more info. How to ask for help via email Use a clear, direct subject line. 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. Grammarly For MS Office - HereS How to Ask For Clarification from So Katie Holmes is a senior author at everyday-courtesy.com with over 15 years of experience in marketing and psychology. 10 Polite Ways To Say "Just To Clarify" (Professional Email) 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. Then, if youre still not clear on something, its time to write an email to ask for clarification. Once youve established your current understanding and whats unclear to you, you can ask questions that will help your reader clarify the information. Be polite, and use languages that focus the situation on you and not the other person. Needing clarification is not a bad thing, and understanding Before accepting, I would like to clarify some details. It can help ensure that whatever youre saying does not come across in a way that is not intended. If you need any other information, please let me know. Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? The phrase just making sure is a great alternative to just to clarify, as it is more relaxed. 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. You mean you need some books from the library, isnt it? 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. Sample Letters for Request Bank To Clarify Service Charge. However, on many occasions, you may also need to use closed questions as well. Clarification 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. Use open-ended questions to guide the discussion. Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. Show enthusiasm for the position. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Well learn some expressions to ask for clarification on someones questions. Now, lets see a short conversation between a doctor and a patient that involves asking for clarification. State what the speaker has said as you understand it, and check whether this is what they really said. 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. We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. Could/Would/Can you be a bit clearer about it? Can you go over this area again just so I understand the new changes you want implemented? Use a call to action to clarify the next steps. 2. requesting help on restructuring project of our shared client SkyTechlet's discuss details over call or video conferenceyour advice invaluable. You must not behave and speak in a formal setting as you do in an informal one. It starts with a simple subject line. word choice - How to ask somebody for explanation Additionally, when asking for clarification, it is not considered polite if you frame your clarification question in a critical tone. car, washing machine, telephone) to a sales department or someone involved in procurement. However, if you dont understand someones question, you should ask for clarification and answer accordingly. It can be helpful to ask questions about the 5 Ws and H in this section. These samples tackle many common reasons you may need clarification. ?" In other words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Have you asked for permission to use my laptop? The second makes you sound more informed. Informally You can simply say Sorry? or Come again? with a curious tone to ask someone for clarification. We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. You may not respond or help them accordingly if you dont understand. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. Could I ask for clarification on? I appreciate your detailed explanation, however, I am unclear about which approach we should follow. As AI is developing and being used in different sectors, writers are also using them to avoid unexpected grammatical errors or typos. Would/Could you please say that again for me/us? Will you please mention again the name of the items you requested from the store? "Thanks so much for your feedback on. 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. We usually stress the word actually to signal that were going to explain what we really meant. Learn how to format emails and get your point across in a professional manner by checking out these 6 common email formats. 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. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about dates and times for meetings and appointments. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? If its a simple item, pick up the phone and call. When asking for clarification, it is essential to choose an appropriate time, such as a Q&A session after a presentation. Heres an example of just to make sure were on the same page being used professionally. We encounter numerous questionsin our everyday life. Question and answer site. Avoid Would you mind sharing the suggestion again? How to make a GPT-3 model remember past conversations? Ask for repetition. 1 vote 1 answer 18 views. Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. and then say something like: Im sorry, I didnt understand what you just said.. To determine how to write a meeting request email, follow these steps: 1. For example, a potential new employer may ask a candidate for clarification on details about a previous role. Could/Would/Can you please walk me through that again? I appreciate your time and your help in clarifying this question. Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. Here is some language that you can use. boss/manager asking for clarification on Would you mind telling me the whole formula in detail? to politely respond to unclear email response To clarify, you want, correct? Write a clear subject line, or respond directly to the email you wish to clarify. How To Ask For Clarification Like A Native English Speaker - Talaera Have you ever found it challenging to interrupt someone to express your opinion, make suggestions, or ask for further information? WebAsking for Clarification. 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!) Closed Question: Was this experience what you expected? Please find re-attached for your convenience. There are many situations where you might find yourself needing to ask for clarification. Why You Should Ask Could You Please If you've been asked to clarify some details, this clarification email reply sample provides a straightforward template to follow. WebShe knocked on the door politely and announced, "Mr.Lyman, its Lind." It appears there has been a breakdown in communication. Interrupting Politely, Interjecting Opinions, and Sharing Ideas 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. In the next section of the email, you want to clearly outline your goals, any important deadlines, and next steps. WebSo, if you need some clarification for what you just heard, you can use phrases like Sorry, what did you mean by that? We use cookies to analyze site performance and deliver a better experience for visitors. [1] 2 Be polite but direct in asking about the starting salary. This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. link to 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. Many in attendance are often grateful that someone asks any clarification questions as they are too embarrassed to ask themselves! You then clear up what you need to clarify in the email body. I wish you good health. Request to clarify a Freedom of Information request to. I learned that if two players sack cooperatively, each defender gets 0.5 sacks in their statistics. ?" As a freelance consultant, she also supports companies and executives in overcoming communication challenges. 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. How to Ask for Clarification Politely - YouTube Thank them for the interview Therefore, "In response to your request for. Bullet points are a great way to share information, Insert your questions/clarification request. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. Generally, asking for clarification is not undesirable in most social circles, particularly during long, technical presentations in academic, educational, or professional settings. Should You Be Home When Contractors Are Working. You can also get another perspective by asking someone else to review the information. However, Could is less polite, and Can is the least polite word among these three. Closed Question: Will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. Lets take a look at * Could you please be more specific? Heres what it might look like. writing effective letters Public World. 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. It makes the phrase sound a little bit softer and a little more polite. Keep subject lines short, sweet, and simple like these: We'll assume you've already got a relationship with the email recipient, so you don't need to introduce yourself (unless you want to). A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. If I understood you correctly, you would like me to Could you please clarify what you meant by? Finally, there are some individuals who have trouble paying attention, to begin with, whether because of ADD or ADHD. 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. Let the person know if you dont quite grasp the issue or if you only understand part of it. So, how do you do it? 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. Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. If you still have questions about this, you can comment below. 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. 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. How would you explain it to me?" Let me see if I understand this; you want to create a proposal which would limit our available staff positions for hire? Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. I beg pardon, but can you please repeat what you said about the new product launch? Both are fine options, but if we're being pedantic, they mean slightly different things. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. Asking clarifying questions shows that youre actively listening and want to understand. Would you mind repeating the name of the place? WebRule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in. Use one of our 9 samples to ask for clarification in an email. Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. It sometimes happens that interviewers may need extra information after your meeting. Every day, we get engaged in conversations for different purposes. Each intonation 2. Contacting researchers for clarification is good practice. Supercharge your communication with Flowrite. Would you be able to confirm some details? The phrase can you elaborate is a great alternative for when you want to ask for clarification. Whoops! Would approach A or B be more helpful here? While this can be a longer phrase, its a great way to both clarify and ask for clarification while not sounding as though you werent listening or being rude.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'grammarhow_com-box-3','ezslot_3',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-grammarhow_com-box-3-0'); If youre looking to clarify something youve said or to ask for more clarification in case you dont want to seem as though you werent paying attention. You can edit and adapt these as required to get the necessary information. They allow the person to expand on the topic rather than giving a simple yes or no response. Very often, someone might ask a question during a presentation and the presenter will respond If you wait a bit, I will explain the answer to that question.. This is a standard clarification email that you can use to request some answers from anyone, including a colleague, customer, client, or professional. ". Useful English Phrases for Discussion 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. For the record can be a great phrase to use if youre looking to substitute the phrase just to clarify. Can you clarify some details for me, please? In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. What do I do? Start with an explanatory subject line Try to make the subject line of your email clear and self-explanatory. Write emails & messages faster than ever with our AI writing assistant, Get the best resources for professional communication & productivity. After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. Would it be possible for me to hear from you about this again? 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 oneself. Ah, I see. Have you wanted me to send the emails first, then attend the meeting? How to Ask for Help Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. Will you please repeat the standard operating procedure of this machine? Close the email politely and thoughtfully. Niaj A A Khan is an ESL Instructor with over 7 years of experience in teaching & developing resources at different universities and institutes. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. Always keep in mind that the other person is not bound to clarify things again for you. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. myra on Twitter: "crazyyy how u come into my mentions accusing Q: I've tried that. Here well see some expressions you can use to ask for clarification in English on someones statement or information.