If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? 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 Have a listen: I got it. Would you be able to help me with these questions before then? Using phrases such as Im sorry or Simply say thank you and move on. Thank you! You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." There are so many online AI writing assistants that can offer you We are a team of ESL teachers writing about state-of-the-art tips and advice for learners and teachers of English as a second language. Sometimes, even though were confused, it is simply because we have not been informed of all of the information that is being presented. Leadership communication skills to elevate team performance. 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. Doctor: Youre welcome. A great way to ask for clarification is by using do I understand, allowing you to go over the information by showing youre paying attention and asking for clarity. When It Is Considered Rude to Ask for Clarification, Theres Never a Time to Not Politely Seek Clarification. 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. By speaking solely in terms of your own perspective, your listener will be more open to further discussion. Theres an emergency you need to deal with." 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). 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? An example where it would be appropriate to use this phrase would be when you want to discuss a topic with someone and you check in on them and their progress to make sure they are working off of the correct information. In other words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Email format guide 6 examples & templates. Read on below the template to learn why each section is important, and for additional tips and useful information so you can make sure that your email comes across well. In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. Establish your credibility. 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. Let the person know if you dont quite grasp the issue or if you only understand part of it. Have you just said you will go to Coxs Bazar next week? Did you mean? You mean you need some books from the library, isnt it? How to interrupt politely in a meeting. 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.. Ultimately, who should be responsible for completing. WebYour clarification email includes everything I need to progress. Would you please repeat it? These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. Writing invoice emails can be tricky and they are often an area where you may need more information and clarification. Open-ended questions leave space to fully explore another persons perspective. This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. Well learn some expressions to ask for clarification on someones questions. This is a standard clarification email that you can use to request some answers from anyone, including a colleague, customer, client, or professional. 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. Sorry, what was that? If we want to double-check, we can ask for clarification. Closed Question: So, you felt Bobs approach was too disruptive? ". Can/Could/Would you give me an example, please? It makes the phrase sound a little bit softer and a little more polite. How to politely ask for clarification on a person's designation? However, they become useless if you dont understand or follow them. Not doing so and beginning to speak while the presenter is still speaking is seen as very rude in just about any formal setting. In such situations, the concern is simply that one needs to be polite when asking a clarification question so that a question can be asked rather than reformatting an impolite question. Thank you for sending me information about (product/service). ?" Suppose you just received a prescription from the doctor after the diagnosis. Some people struggle to write subject lines, but the easiest thing to do is be upfront about what you want. Janet opened the door and smiled slightly. WebSo, if you need some clarification for what you just heard, you can use phrases like Sorry, what did you mean by that? 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 Writing a letter for clarification is easy if you follow our advice. Grammarly For MS Office - HereS How to Ask For Clarification from So WebPolite Speech Requesting Clarification Postscript. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I 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. Can you rephrase the instructions, please? So, how do you politely ask for clarification on someones request in English? Please let me know if you need any other information. Practice the mechanics: Many of the mechanics youll encounter in a raid can also be found in other activities. It can be used very formally, or it can be used with a subtle undertone of disdaine and attitude while still providing information. All Rights Reserved. Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. Its highly likely you'll need to clarify details with a client at some stage. Use a call to action to clarify the next steps. In most cases, you can save face by solving your own problem without asking a question to clarify. If thats the case, it's best to get straight into business. Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? WebSample Email Asking Clarification From Client This is likewise one of the factors by obtaining the soft documents of this Sample Email Asking Clarification From how to ask for clarification politely collaborative solutions web here are a WebTo ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. Always consider the setting: formal and informal. It only takes a minute to sign up. Have a conversation before sending an email. Is that right? While we communicate with others, we exchange information and opinion. If you can't find it on our listing of the best email writing tools, you won't need it. Lets take a look at I beg your pardon. Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow what you said. Be polite, and use languages that focus the situation on you and not the other person. Also known as clarification letters, clarification emails are used to get the information required to move forward. I dont quite catch what you said. [1]. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. I have discussed several situations where you may need to ask for clarification in English. 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. If that's the case, this job offer clarification email sample is for you. Be polite while asking. You can end on a positive note by thanking the other person for their time and consideration of their clarification request. Its my bad that I dont quite understand you. 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. You may not respond or help them accordingly if you dont understand. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? Youve explained the situation and asked for clarification so that you can solve a problem. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. Web1. There are a few simple steps to follow when youre looking for further explanation. Weve all been there: a long meeting, an intense lecture, a complicated sales presentation. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your words.? Sorry, but I didnt quite catch your statement. Looking for an email writer generator, email helper, or email correction app? We encounter numerous questionsin our everyday life. Webcrazyyy how u come into my mentions accusing me of shit continue to rant abt me on ur page and when i politely ask for clarification u block me didnt even need to interact w me if i piss u off that much. 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. The clarification email structure is still the same, but we can assume your boss is already on top of the details. 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. We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. Asking somebody to clarify something Scenario #1: When one person is dominating the conversation. We hope that our clarification email guide provides some simple guidelines to follow. Please let me know if I misunderstood. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. We can split clarification emails into three parts. So, you must request them to do this favor for you. Im sorry, but I couldnt follow your question. WebIn American English, the word actually is often used to clarify a misunderstanding. To obtain clarification, you have to truly want to understand the other persons point of view. Now, lets see a short conversation between a doctor and a patient that involves asking for clarification. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. WebScore: 4.2/5 (13 votes) . WebA listener can ask for clarification when they cannot make sense of the speaker's responses. To ask for clarification politely, it's essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. Can you please tell me again what document you requested? Dont cross the line. May I ask you to say the things again that you requested earlier? Heres an example to show you how it works: Dear Ms. Browne, Could you please clarify whether this is correct? Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance. Whether you are in a formal or informal situation, politeness is the key to a good conversation. May I know what you just wanted permission for.? How important it may become at times to ask 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!) Avoid guilt. However, Could is less polite, and Can is the least polite word among these three. Sorry if I was unclear. 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. How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Did you mean to send me? 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. Monitoring your tone of voice is a key element of learning to ask for clarification politely. DeFrank." . By utilizing the appropriate language and tone, these delicate situations can be navigated smoothly and professionally. Using phrases such as Im sorry or Excuse me when asking for clarification indicates a participatory tone that simply seeks better understanding. Oops! Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. Further, using the conditional mood also indicates that you are not directing the conversation. 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. May I ask you to clarify your position on this? Depending on the audience and the topic, you can also ask for clarification by simply asking a question, such as: Why is the hypotenuse important for a triangle?. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. You should appreciate them and give them complimentsfor doing this favor for you. 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. Im not quite clear on a few things and I want to make sure were on the same page. that you think you already know what the answer is, so that a question can be asked rather than reformatting an impolite question, if you use Please and Thank You when speaking, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-speaking-memory/, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html, https://hbr.org/2015/03/relearning-the-art-of-asking-questions, How to Professionally Say You Didnt Answer My Question. Don't worry: Asking for clarification is easy. ncdu: What's going on with this second size column? Sometimes we zone out, but sometimes we just dont understand. "That sounds really good. 1 Answer. It can help ensure that whatever youre saying does not come across in a way that is not intended. So, do you really think this will be a profitable deal? Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. Then, if youre still not clear on something, its time to write an email to ask for clarification. You should only ask for clarification if you really feel it requires clarification. You should ask for an apology first, as you already have missed what the person said earlier. After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. The clarification email format should be no surprise if you're already used to writing professional messages. Heres what it might look like. 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. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us?