Not doing so and beginning to speak while the presenter is still speaking is seen as very rude in just about any formal setting. follow up emails 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. I am sorry, but did you say he is the companys CEO? Either way, there is a high probability that youve been in a conversation where you need clarification. 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. Here are a few examples of the types of sentences that you could use to ask for clarification politely at work: These types of clarification questions will help ensure that everyone has the same understanding of the situation. ask for clarification You may also like: 10 Better Ways To Say Thank You For Clarifying In Emails. For your information, a pamphlet will be provided detailing the new workflow system. 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. How To Ask For Clarification Like A Native English Speaker - Talaera How to interrupt politely in a meeting. Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. I'm keen to make a decision this week, so can you provide me with answers by (date)? to Ask the Perfect Question Write emails & messages faster than ever with our AI writing assistant, Get the best resources for professional communication & productivity. Its time to stop letting conflict rule your life and learn to use your resentment to fuel change. Learn how to format emails and get your point across in a professional manner by checking out these 6 common email formats. Remember that no matter in which context you are, politeness is the key to a good conversation. For the record, I would like it known I brought this issue to light weeks before it was a problem. Informal Sorry, I didnt catch that. 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. 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. 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. So, to understand the request, on many occasions, you may need to ask for clarification. Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. Whoops! The best questions are open-ended. Which form is more polite and more acceptable for correspondence? In this example, you're a job seeker; this is how you reply to a recruiter asking for clarification. There are times when we ask for suggestions from the people surrounding us. Will you please mention again the name of the items you requested from the store? Asking for clarification shows that youre attentive and that you care enough to make sure you thoroughly understand what youve been told. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. If someone is kind enough to provide the answers you need when you need them, it's polite to say thank you. Here we give you 5 tips and provide 4 example emails to help you write better help request emails. Use this template to diplomatically seek clarification whenever you get one of these rambly, not-exactly-sure-of-what-this-means email. Rule #2: Apologize for interrupting. New Questions. If its a simple item, pick up the phone and call. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning. 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! How to Ask for Clarification Politely - YouTube Closed Question: So, you felt Bobs approach was too disruptive? Learn useful English phrases for discussion and debate. What I meant was. Here well see some expressions you can use to ask for clarification in English on someones statement or information. This phrase allows you to use simple words with no room for misinterpretation. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. The difference between just to clarify and just for clarification is fairly small. I learned that if two players sack cooperatively, each defender gets 0.5 sacks in their statistics. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. Can you repeat it? In this article, we'll show you how to request clarification via email. Now, well learn some useful expressions to ask someone to clarify instructions. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? 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. Lets move on. 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. 03 Mar 2023 13:44:40 Say that you didnt understand rather than saying that the other person could not clarify it. (meaning to say it in another way) is appropriate. Ultimately, who should be responsible for completing. Managing conflicts or misunderstandings through email communication can be challenging. I snickered, thinking that Janet had come around so soon. I beg your pardon, but have you mentioned my name as a team member for the new project? You may not respond or help them accordingly if you dont understand. If I don't hear from you by (date/time), I'll give you a call. Sorry I couldnt follow you earlier. If you liked this post, you might also like: 7 Signs That Your Team Has a Communication Problem, The 4 Foundational Skills for Effective Communication. Lets explore the three tenants of how to ask for clarification politely. Q&A Answertion Question and answer site Whenever confusing, lengthy, or multi-part topics are presented, there is a high probability that someone will have missed some of the information shared, prompting someone to seek clarification on the topic. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? The most common cause for a phone not starting is that the battery is dead. When someone expresses their opinion, you may not clearly understand what they mean or what their position about the matter is. Katie Holmes is a senior author at everyday-courtesy.com with over 15 years of experience in marketing and psychology. Clarification Will you please explain the question to me? Use open-ended questions to guide the discussion. If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance. 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. We encounter numerous questionsin our everyday life. Huh? Thank them for the interview Depending on the nature of your clarification request email, you may want to attach some information, including links, or add attachments. to politely respond to unclear email response May I ask you to say the things again that you requested earlier? In other words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. It will keep everything flowing smoothly with the new website launch. Show enthusiasm for the position. The difference between these two phrases is only in how they are grammatically structured, with clarify being a verb and clarification being a noun. Thank you! ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. Asking for clarification email to boss sample Could you explain a bit about your concerns regarding the other solution?, I dont think I fully understand what you were saying about Could you tell me a bit more?, I think it might help me if I could understand a few more details about that part of the project., Could you give me a concrete example to help me understand how that might affect our current situation?, understand the other persons point of view. 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? However, if the instruction is unclear, you may need to ask for clarification so you can take medicine properly. Heres how. ", 50 Polite Ways to Interrupt Someone in English. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. Now pretend I don't know anything about how that works. Youre a busy person, so here is a template you can use right away. Give your reader a deadline. Please send your invoice for all work from our most recent contract to youremail@email.com and CC me. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Sometimes we zone out, but sometimes we just dont understand. Here are some tips on asking for favors: Be direct but polite. Learn how to write request emails that get results with our in-depth guide. Your help will go a long way in helping to resolve [issue]. Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Now, lets see some English expressions that you can use to respond to someones clarification. So what can you say instead? We thoroughly test different courses, books, learning materials, etc., and recommend only the bests. How to Write a Thank You Email for a Salary Increase How to make a GPT-3 model remember past conversations? Would you mind repeating the name of the place? Ask clarification email 9 examples and template Have you requested to send me the MS Word file or the PDF? Sometimes, even though were confused, it is simply because we have not been informed of all of the information that is being presented. I beg your pardon. We can split clarification emails into three parts. ), your name, and your signature. For example, if you seek clarification, then you can ask: Could you please explain how to politely ask for clarification? GET IN TOUCH 514.551.0493 | [emailprotected]. So, if there is any confusion about instructions, make sure you ask for clarification. Theres an emergency you need to deal with." Could you please vs Would you please? A slightly more polite version of this phrase is "I'm not sure what you mean by . Youd like to ask for clarification, but youre not sure how in a polite way. 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. ". Then Mark will make the copy changes and move the documents to a drive folder marked FINAL. Ask 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. 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. Well! Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. 10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification in English Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. Establish your credibility. writing effective letters Public World. Reminder As a former Speech-Language Pathologist, Lindsay applies her expertise in the neuroscience of communication and connection to help managers foster an environment of trust and respect in their teams, so that everyone can bring their best selves to work. Asking clarifying questions shows that you're actively listening and want to understand. Here is some language that you can use. One example is when you are presented with new content that you havent had a chance to review prior to a presentation or conversation. To clarify, you want, correct? Simply say thank you and move on. If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. 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. I didnt quite catch it. 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!) So if you ask someone to "break down" something they said, you ask them to explain it part by part. If you need extra information from a candidate, this clarification email after an interview provides the ideal structure. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. ". Try These Expressions in a Real Conversation. To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. However, on many occasions, you may also need to use closed questions as well. 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? don't understand in English ?" 20 Email Expressions to Ask for Clarification Tannia Surez In doing so, you will be perceived as non-accusatory and therefore, not threatening. Practice the mechanics: Many of the mechanics youll encounter in a raid can also be found in other activities. In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. Email format guide 6 examples & templates. 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. Clarification They allow the person to expand on the topic rather than giving a simple yes or no response. politely ask for clarification These formats will use formal speech to indicate that you are simply trying to clarify what was said rather than to distract or disrupt. If you can help me with these questions by the end of the day, I can get started on the project immediately. Just say: "I'm impressed. When someone makes any requeststo you to do something, you need to understand what precisely the person is asking from you. Scenario #1: When one person is dominating the conversation. Thank you for providing the detailed information about [Topic X]. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your suggestions. This shows you have a desire for more information and it sounds as though you are genuinely invested in the current topic at hand. Did you mean to send me? Asking somebody to clarify something Asking for Clarification - City University of New York 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. We hope that our clarification email guide provides some simple guidelines to follow. Sometimes, using just to clarify doesnt convey how you feel when youre asking for more information. Using indicator constraint with two variables. Here's a helpful thank you template for email clarification. Can you assist me with this question by tomorrow afternoon? Thank you for your time and for helping me to clarify these questions. Moreover, it will imply that you think you already know what the answer is, even though you need clarification! 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. It also makes it easier for the recipient to go through them line-by-line and answer them. Would you please repeat what you said about our new project? A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. Here, Ill share some ways to ask for clarification on someones suggestions in English. politely Heres an example of just to make sure were on the same page being used professionally. Open Question: What was it about Bobs approach that seemed disruptive to you? WebPolite Speech Requesting Clarification Postscript. These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise. English Speaking Practice || How to Ask for Clarification in English || Beginner- Advanced levels. Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. I was just making sure you had received all of the current information regarding the upcoming project. 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 Indigenous organizations, her experience as a parent to two neurodivergent children, and the premature loss of both of her parents. Asking for clarification. So, if you are confused about understanding what the other person said in a conversation, you should ask for clarification. For instance you may use: Both are polite colloquial usage. Clarification Emails: Structure and Phrases - Target Training GmbH Additionally, when asking for clarification, it is not considered polite if you frame your clarification question in a critical tone. If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. 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. Its an easy phrase used to help break the barrier of communication and make sure everyone has the same information. Some people struggle to write subject lines, but the easiest thing to do is be upfront about what you want. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. Thanks for clearly letting me know your opinion; I value whatever you suggest. "That sounds really good. Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? You need to create a clarification email. Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. Asking clarifying questions shows that youre actively listening and want to understand. Could/Would/Can you explain what you mean by this? Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. Most of the time, your clients are not responding because: They got busy and haven't found the time to write their response to you. Are you aware of how your tone of voice conveys different messages? If you are wanting to ask for clarification politely, blaming the other person is definitely not the way to go. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. How To Request Clarification Via Email - Email Effective WebHow to Ask for Clarification Politely 1. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Although these questions are more direct, as long as they relate to a topic that has been already mentioned, they are understandable points for clarification. Get the Ebook, Succeed in 101 Situations! Dont cross the line. 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. Exemplary scenarios include presenting technical manufacturing information for a specific machine, device, or appliance (Ex. ?" Kind regards, (Your name) 3. 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. Could I ask for clarification on? 10 Polite Ways To Say "Just To Clarify" (Professional Email) It's even better if you can have conversations and get corrected by a professional English tutor! Formal Sorry, would you mind repeating that? 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. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? Make sure to add a sign-off (thanks, kind regards, etc. WebWhen you ask someone for clarification, you are asking them to say something in a different way or provide more information so that you 20 Email Expressions to Ask for Clarification So when we want to ask for clarification in English, we can use these expressions: 1 What exactly are you saying? Likewise, when information is presented via another medium aside from speaking, such as via text, video chat, email, or phone conversation, there is also a possibility that information will become muddled in transit and prompt someone to ask for clarification. Interrupting Politely, Interjecting Opinions, and Sharing Ideas If such individuals are not already familiar with the technical background relative to the specific topic, those in attendance may have difficulty following along with the conversation.