Would/Could you please say that again for me/us? DeFrank." Using phrases such as Im sorry or Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. 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. Establish your credibility. Then, if youre still not clear on something, its time to write an email to ask for clarification. Email structure and phrases for clarification 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 However, if the instruction is unclear, you may need to ask for clarification so you can take medicine properly. We thoroughly test different courses, books, learning materials, etc., and recommend only the bests. One great way to do this is to ask a lot of open-ended questions. In other words, who, what, where, when, why, and how. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. If someone orders you or gives instructionsto do something, its essential to fully understand what they say. Asking for clarification While we communicate with others, we exchange information and opinion. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification on their requests. You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." Thank you! After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. Writing invoice emails can be tricky and they are often an area where you may need more information and clarification. ESL Advice receives compensation from companies or individuals for recommending their products. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. It's a good idea to spell out precisely what information you need. 10 Polite Ways To Say "Just To Clarify" (Professional Email) Put the question in the first or second sentence. Your new game-changing quick reference tool is just a click away. Once again, clarification would be necessary. Start with a greeting Most professional emails begin with a greeting or a salutation. 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. Most often, when it comes to being perceived as polite when seeking clarification, the concern is heightened by those asking for clarification. I'll be in touch if I require anything else. 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. I appreciate your time and your help in clarifying this question. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. Doctor: Oh, sure. You see! Using phrases such as Im sorry or Excuse me when asking for clarification indicates a participatory tone that simply seeks better understanding. Below is an example of how to use do I understand professionally. WebTo ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. Manage meeting requests like a pro with our in-depth guide to writing the best meeting request emails. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Below is a helpful structure, and some phrases, to help you politely get what you want with your clarification emails. Here is some language that you can use. Clarification In this example, you're a job seeker; this is how you reply to a recruiter asking for clarification. This is a standard clarification email that you can use to request some answers from anyone, including a colleague, customer, client, or professional. Ask for help: If youre struggling to understand a mechanic, dont hesitate to ask for help. Thanks, Tannia, for your support! Chris G. WebClarifying What You Heard, Asking Someone to Repeat Themselves, and Confirming Your Understanding Communication Skills: Express Yourself Clearly Get Your Number Stress Right: How to Pronounce Numbers Clearly in English The Power of Pitch: Change Your Tone for Better Stress and Intonation in English Dont cross the line. Open-ended questions leave space to fully explore another persons perspective. WebWhen using clarification follow these guidelines to help aid communication and understanding. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago Modified 6 years, 9 months ago Viewed 3k times 1 This is a It starts with a simple subject line. Indicate that this is a request to set up a meeting in the subject line by including words like discussion', 'meeting' or schedule'. 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. A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. Asking for clarification email to boss sample Write emails and messages faster across Google Chrome. Start with an explanatory subject line Try to make the subject line of your email clear and self-explanatory. Clarification Which form is more polite and more acceptable for correspondence: For example I am do not understand something and want to get more information about it. See if the information makes sense to someone else. Or rather, try to bridge your current understanding so that you can move forward. 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. 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. 1 vote 1 answer 18 views. Is that right? Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. You should not blame someone else if you dont understand the other persons words. Q&A Answertion Question and answer site Be non-accusatory. You can use this any time further clarification is needed. "If I understand you correctly " is a slightly more formal way to check your understanding. So if you ask someone to "break down" something they said, you ask them to explain it part by part. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning. Could/Would you please put it differently so that it becomes easy for me to understand? Have you asked for permission to use my laptop? ?" Either way, there is a high probability that youve been in a conversation where you need clarification. The best way to ensure that you come across as polite is if you use Please and Thank You when speaking. Its my bad. So, if there is any confusion about instructions, make sure you ask for clarification. Well! The first thing to remember when asking for clarification is that you can be honest and straightforward. WebHow do you politely ask for something? ?" In doing so, you will be perceived as non-accusatory and therefore, not threatening. Just say: "I'm impressed. Would you say that again, please? & I am afraid I didnt quite catch that. 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. Email format guide 6 examples & templates. Could/Would/Can you be a bit clearer about it? The modal verb Would is the most formal word with which you can form the politest expressions. Have you wanted me to send the emails first, then attend the meeting? Closed Question: Will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? Useful English Phrases for Discussion Looking for an email writer generator, email helper, or email correction app? It's even better if you can have conversations and get corrected by a professional English tutor! Say what the problem is first. Using indicator constraint with two variables. 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. What To Include In An Email For Clarification Thank The Sender For The Information State Your Current Understanding Acknowledge that you need 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. Have you ever found it challenging to interrupt someone to express your opinion, make suggestions, or ask for further information? 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. Alexander Stojanovic Respond To A Confusing Email: An Email Template Your submission has been received! "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". 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. 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. One example is when you are presented with new content that you havent had a chance to review prior to a presentation or conversation. Ah, I see. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? Could/Would/Can you explain what you mean by this? For example, a potential new employer may ask a candidate for clarification on details about a previous role. Heres an example of how to use for the record in a professional manner. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. If someone is kind enough to provide the answers you need when you need them, it's polite to say thank you. Here are some examples: What would you like to see as the final deliverable? Thus we need to ask them for further clarification without feeling awkward. politely ask for clarification Katie is a passionate digital nomad working on her first book on the art of communication. Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? In order to process information, you need to be able to pay attention. Open Question: When did you first notice that it was a challenge working with him? 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. Otherwise, you may not do it properly what you are instructed for. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. Ask for specific examples. Its time to stop letting conflict rule your life and learn to use your resentment to fuel change. 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. Sometimes you may not completely understand what Then Mark will make the copy changes and move the documents to a drive folder marked FINAL. Many in attendance are often grateful that someone asks any clarification questions as they are too embarrassed to ask themselves! Use one of our 9 samples to ask for clarification in an email. Show respect. ", Instead of saying "I don't understand," you can also just say "I'm (a little) confused. No one likes to say those words for fear of sounding slow on the uptake. Make your email easy to read. how to politely and natively reply an email and ask question, Looking for a word attributing the state of revealing the past. Would/Could you please elaborate on it for me? For example, if you seek clarification, then you can ask: Could you please explain how to politely ask for clarification? Lets move on. Well! As we are independently owned, the recommendations made here are our own. During these periods, it is best to ask a question as this will allow you to digest whatever information has been presented. How to interrupt politely. So, do you really think this will be a profitable deal? Other opinions. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Also known as clarification letters, clarification emails are used to get the information required to move forward. My goal is to complete [Task A] by Thursday, so this information will help me to get started immediately. Get the Ebook, Succeed in 101 Situations! Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. Amid the four types of questions commonly asked, clarification questions are probably the most understandable and justifiable in any circumstance. 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. Would you mind telling me the whole formula in detail? 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. When someone says anything, they usually give you information about something or someone. Contacting researchers for clarification is good practice. If thats the case, it's best to get straight into business. When someone asks you to re-explain a complicated task, your first inclination is probably to say, Wait, what? How to politely ask for clarification on a person's designation? I am sorry, but I couldnt follow what you said. Clarity is the key to effective communication. Meeting 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. You'll learn how to structure email clarifications, what to include, and see how it works with 9 examples and a template. A good way is to summarize what you have understood and didnt. Needing clarification is not a bad thing, and understanding Each intonation will convey very different messages. "Mr.Lyman, could you come out here please? 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. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Be polite, and use languages that focus the situation on you and not the other person. 03 Mar 2023 13:44:40 This article breaks down the process of writing request emails for information, documents, contact details, favors and more. If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. ?". Informal Sorry, I didnt catch that. *this is very polite) Can you explain what you mean? Click here for 1:1 customized coaching programs that will help you achieve your career goals faster. For instance you may use: Both are polite colloquial usage. 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. How legitimate is the phrase "from which one to choose"? Thanks for sending over your directions for implementing the new website copy. Each intonation 2. You can also get another perspective by asking someone else to review the information. Could/Would/Can you please walk me through that again? How to ask for something in an email with 9 examples, Request for meeting email with samples and templates. I beg your pardon, but have you mentioned my name as a team member for the new project? Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. 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? Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Introduction. 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 Could you give me some more details about? "As per your request. How do you explain something in an email? Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. Finally, you finish each clarification letter with all the essential details and a suitable sign-off. Before accepting, I would like to clarify some details. Now it is time to write your clarification email.