how to ask for clarification politely
2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. WebA listener can ask for clarification when they cannot make sense of the speaker's responses. * Could you please be more specific? May I request you share your queries again? First up, here's a sample email seeking clarification. ", 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. Suppose you just received a prescription from the doctor after the diagnosis. WebShe knocked on the door politely and announced, "Mr.Lyman, its Lind." Dont make it sound bad. Well! Sorted by: 2. We usually stress the word actually to signal that were going to explain what we really meant. In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. Weve all been there: a long meeting, an intense lecture, a complicated sales presentation. Using phrases such as Im sorry or Excuse me when asking for clarification indicates a participatory tone that simply seeks better understanding. 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. Be polite, and use languages that focus the situation on you and not the other person. However, they become useless if you dont understand or follow them. How to agree/disagree. <-- This is a past question A: Try plugging your phone into the charger for an hour and then turn it on. It also depends on how big the work is, but I think that generally asking for clarification is never a bad idea. Thank you for your time and for helping me to clarify these questions. Let me see if I understand this; you want to create a proposal which would limit our available staff positions for hire? I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your words.? Always keep in mind that the other person is not bound to clarify things again for you. Use the expressions below to address these potentially problematic situations smoothly and professionally. Can/Would/Could you be a bit/little more specific, please? In this situation, you may need to ask them to repeat, explain or clarify their position. Would you please repeat what you wanted permission for? 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 ". Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. 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 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. However, it would be best to ask for clarification when you dont get someones statement or information. So that we can action your request promptly, could you please provide some more context and clarification around this? Dont cross the line. You can edit and adapt these as required to get the necessary information. ", Instead of saying "I don't understand," you can also just say "I'm (a little) confused. Please reload the page and try again. Have you just suggested calling him when he is home? Before you do this exercise, its a good idea to check out our information on intonation and stress. Greet your reader. ". Here are some expressions to ask for clarification when someone asks for your permission. Check your tone of voice. Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? 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, To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. Could/Would/Can you be a bit clearer about it? Would you say that again, please? & I am afraid I didnt quite catch that. Could you give me some more details about? The first thing to remember when asking for clarification is that you can be honest and straightforward. No worries! Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance. How to follow the signal when reading the schematic? Say what the problem is first. Open Question: How will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? If you still have questions about this, you can comment below. Ask a question. I'll be in touch if I require anything else. Would approach A or B be more helpful here? What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? Have a listen: I got it. Then, if youre still not clear on something, its time to write an email to ask for clarification. Likewise, you need to be able to process that information through your working memory and convert it into relatable information relative to your short-term and long-term memory. The most common cause for a phone not starting is that the battery is dead. Otherwise, you'll have established a better understanding for what you need to know, and you can put that to the researchers. ", Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. Lindsays approach has been profoundly influenced by her work with Indigenous organizations, her experience as a parent to two neurodivergent children, and the premature loss of both of her parents. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. Be specific about what you expect to be clarified. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I understand. 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. *Its better to use Past, not Present. Remember, technical skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. Heres how. Have you wanted me to send the emails first, then attend the meeting? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Could you please vs Would you please? Then what happens if three players make a sack together? "As per your request. Effective communication, in particular, is a soft skill that plays a crucial role in career advancement. Should You Be Home When Contractors Are Working. DeFrank." So, if there is any confusion about instructions, make sure you ask for clarification. A great example of when you could use this phrase is if you have been given a set of instructions from one person, but had been told something a little different from someone else. I appreciate your help. Generally, asking for clarification is not undesirable in most social circles, particularly during long, technical presentations in academic, educational, or professional settings. 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. Whether you are in a formal or informal situation, politeness is the key to a good conversation. If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. Sorry, one more time? Did you say that you want to go there alone? How to interrupt politely. To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. It can be a sensitive area, particularly if your figures don't match, so concentrate on being polite and professional as we have done in the invoice clarification email sample. writing effective letters Public World. Admit if you are unsure about what the speaker means. So, how do you politely ask for clarification in English? In fact, guessing and getting it wrong is more likely to cause problems than politely asking for more info. Say that you didnt understand rather than saying that the other person could not clarify it. Sometimes you may not completely understand what Here are some examples: What would you like to see as the final deliverable? Leadership communication skills to elevate team performance. Needing clarification is not a bad thing, and understanding If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. During these periods, it is best to ask a question as this will allow you to digest whatever information has been presented. Good Communication Makes You More Valuable. If you want the person you are talking with to give you a longer explanation or additional detail, its perfectly okay to interrupt them to ask for Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. Here we give you 5 tips and provide 4 example emails to help you write better help request emails. Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. Would you be able to help me with these questions before then? Do I understand correctly that you want to reduce the funds for the IT department before changing the security system? 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. Will you please repeat the standard operating procedure of this machine? You must not behave and speak in a formal setting as you do in an informal one. 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. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? Clarity is the key to effective communication. [1]. If students have never learned how to politely ask for clarification, youll need to teach them courteous English expressions and when to use them. how to politely and natively reply an email and ask question, Looking for a word attributing the state of revealing the past. WebRule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in. Bullet points are a great way to share information, Insert your questions/clarification request. car, washing machine, telephone) to a sales department or someone involved in procurement. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification on their requests. If someone orders you or gives instructionsto do something, its essential to fully understand what they say. [3]. Can you please be a bit more specific about the price? 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. Both phrases can be used to ask for more information or to give more information when someone requests it of you. Open Question: What was it about Bobs approach that seemed disruptive to you? I was just making sure you had received all of the current information regarding the upcoming project. Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your suggestions. She should leave her changes as suggestions. This article will introduce you to some pointers on how to request clarification via email. Im not sure, but did you suggest updating the software? Your submission has been received! Asking for clarification shows that youre attentive and that you care enough to make sure you thoroughly understand what youve been told. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? 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. Youd like to ask for clarification, but youre not sure how in a polite way. Heres what it might look like. 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. Remember that no matter in which context you are, politeness is the key to a good conversation. If I don't hear from you by (date/time), I'll give you a call. Or rather, try to bridge your current understanding so that you can move forward. Closed questions always lead to a yes or no answer, and hence, gather limited information. What To Include In An Email For Clarification Thank The Sender For The Information State Your Current Understanding Acknowledge that you need clarification. Write emails for work the way you would a standard letter. There are other words you might use in this case as well. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. Is that right? Would it be possible for me to hear from you about this again? Now, well learn useful expressions to ask someone to clarify instructions. Get the Ebook, Succeed in 101 Situations! If that's the case, this job offer clarification email sample is for you. Contacting researchers for clarification is good practice. Perhaps you find yourself asking for clarification a few times and it feels awkward when you still dont agree with the person. and then say something like: Im sorry, I didnt understand what you just said.. WebDepends on the clarification. You may also like: 10 Better Ways To Say Thank You For Clarifying In Emails. 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. Whether you are in a formal or informal situation, politeness is the key to a good conversation. I appreciate your time and your help in clarifying this question. 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. Of course, that's a distinction that can probably be blurred depending on exactly how you're using the words, but it might be useful to understand that they don't mean exactly the same thing. How To Request Clarification Via Email Template. 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. Using phrases such as Im sorry or The phrase just making sure is a great alternative to just to clarify, as it is more relaxed. Start with an explanatory subject line Try to make the subject line of your email clear and self-explanatory. Do you mind if I ask you to mention his name again? Lets move on. So, how do you politely ask for clarification on someones request in English? Make your email easy to read. Make sure that you actually need clarification. 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? Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. The meaning of both phrases is the same and used interchangeably. Before accepting, you may want clarification about the terms and conditions or the salary. In this example, you're a job seeker; this is how you reply to a recruiter asking for clarification. Indicate that this is a request to set up a meeting in the subject line by including words like discussion', 'meeting' or schedule'. ?". Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. 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. Here are seven phrases for using your opening lines to imply that your email is a reply or response: "Thank you for your email regarding. Would you mind saying what type of permission, written or verbal, you need? "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". Be polite in the choice of your words, tone, and body language. Thank you! "Mr.Lyman, could you come out here please? Huh? Well! Other opinions. I am available for a phone call or meeting if that would be helpful or more convenient for you. You should only ask for clarification if you really feel it requires clarification. If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. I am sorry, but did you say he is the companys CEO? May I? Can I? and Could I? are three of the most common expressions in English used to ask for permission. Many in attendance are often grateful that someone asks any clarification questions as they are too embarrassed to ask themselves! Ask for help: If youre struggling to understand a mechanic, dont hesitate to ask for help. The second makes you sound more informed. I was pleased to receive your job offer earlier today.
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