But would you please tell me what would be the best time to take it? In this article, we'll show you how to request clarification via email. Each intonation will convey very different messages. Supercharge your communication with Flowrite. For your information, a pamphlet will be provided detailing the new workflow system. An example is provided below on the professional usage of just so I understand. Thanks for For the record can be a great phrase to use if youre looking to substitute the phrase just to clarify. 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. Either. So, to understand the request, on many occasions, you may need to ask for clarification. Both of them are fine in any conversation of an official nature, but are not exclusively limited to just the two. ". Below is a helpful structure, and some phrases, to help you politely get what you want with your clarification emails. Asking for clarification. One great way to do this is to ask a lot of open-ended questions. . How important it may become at times to ask for clarification. In doing so, you will be perceived as non-accusatory and therefore, not threatening. Be polite while asking. Could/Would you explain it again, please? When asking for clarification, it is essential to choose an appropriate time, such as a Q&A session after a presentation. To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. 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. However, on many occasions, you may also need to use closed questions as well. 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. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. However, it would be best to ask for clarification when you dont get someones statement or information. Grammarly For MS Office - HereS How to Ask For Clarification from So 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. About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality, A limit involving the quotient of two sums. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. Use the expressions below to address these potentially problematic situations smoothly and professionally. Could I ask for clarification on? Greet your reader. Would you please tell me your thoughts about the issue again? For example, you could write, "Hello, Ms. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Thank you! If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. Once someone clarifies something for you, you must appreciate their effort. To ask for clarification politely, it is essential to use open-ended clarification questions stated in a neutral and inquisitive tone of voice. If we want to double-check, we can ask for clarification. You can use the following template to make sure that you have effective communication for professional emails or personal emails. Congratulations on getting a job offer! Flowrite turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages across your browser. Here is an example of how to use can you elaborate professionally. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? Before accepting, I would like to clarify some details. May I ask you to clarify the matter for me/all of us? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. If you still have questions about this, you can comment below. 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). Practice the mechanics: Many of the mechanics youll encounter in a raid can also be found in other activities. Sorted by: 2. If you're facing a deadline, you should always include details about when you need to receive answers. Would/Could you please clarify it for me/us? 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 ?" Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. I didnt quite catch it. Did you mean? ", Another way to say "I don't understand" is to say "I don't follow" or "I'm not following. Asking somebody to clarify something implies that you understand the broad strokes but want more detail about a particular topic. Have a conversation before sending an email. Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. Therefore, If you have to ask again (or if you keep relying on the same person), consider approaching someone else. Would you be able to confirm some details? Contacting researchers for clarification is good practice. Would approach A or B be more helpful here? Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. Next, state your current understanding of the situation. If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. 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. May I? Can I? and Could I? are three of the most common expressions in English used to ask for permission. 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. The best way to ensure that you come across as polite is if you use Please and Thank You when speaking. You should only ask for clarification if you really feel it requires clarification. 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. To avoid that loop, start by explaining what you do understand and ask whether you have it right. Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. Formal Sorry, would you mind repeating that? May I request further clarification of instruction number 5? 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. Depending on the nature of your clarification request email, you may want to attach some information, including links, or add attachments. Thank them for the interview Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about dates and times for meetings and appointments. Close the email politely and thoughtfully. Use a call to action to clarify the next steps. How do you ask for clarification? Your submission has been received! We can say the exact same thing in two entirely different tones of voice. Regardless of the situation: informal, semi-formal, or formal, you are expected to be polite in your choice of words, voice tone, and body language whenever you ask for permission. 1 Answer. How to interrupt politely. Its also a great way to allow someone else to add more information they may have forgotten. Click here for 1:1 customized coaching programs that will help you achieve your career goals faster. WebTo write a thank you email for a salary increase, express your gratitude calmly, then ask for clarification on the terms of the increase if you have not already received them. I wish you good health. Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. Could we connect on this issue before the meeting at 2PM tomorrow? Therefore, when you request someone to clarify something, you may use modal verbs to sound polite. Could/Would/Can you please walk me through that again? Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. 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. Be clear about your current understanding. ?" Indicate that this is a request to set up a meeting in the subject line by including words like discussion', 'meeting' or schedule'. Ask for specific examples. 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 Use this template to diplomatically seek clarification whenever you get one of these rambly, not-exactly-sure-of-what-this-means email. Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. You should thank them from the core of your heart. Closed Question: Will you be an asset to the company if we hire you? Even if you dont quite understand what they are trying to communicate, express your thanks to them for their time and effort. Here are some tips on asking for favors: Be direct but polite. Scenario #2: When the conversation gets sidetracked. Im not sure when youd like me to start adding the copy to the development website. How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner. After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. When you are in a situation where you need to provide clarification on something, but you also need to be stern, using the phrase let me make this clear is perfect for getting your point across while correcting any misinformation someone may have had. Could you please repeat the date of the event? In such a business situation I would offer my business card and politely ask: "Do you have a card I could have?" ?" Show respect. The difference between these two phrases is only in how they are grammatically structured, with clarify being a verb and clarification being a noun. If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. 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. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? In formulating an answer, you may find they did provide enough details. For the record, I would like it known I brought this issue to light weeks before it was a problem. Asking somebody to explain something implies that you don't know anything about the topic and want the person to teach you. 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. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. Will you be a bit more specific about your experiences? You'll learn how to structure email clarifications, what to include, and see how it works with 9 examples and a template. By utilizing the appropriate language and tone, these delicate situations can be navigated smoothly and professionally. Would/Could you please say that again for me/us? Kind regards, (Your name) 3. Closed Question: Did you always feel that it was a challenge working with him? Write emails & messages faster than ever with our AI writing assistant, Get the best resources for professional communication & productivity. Just to make sure were on the same page, all reports are to be completed by Tuesday. The best questions are open-ended. Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. It will keep everything flowing smoothly with the new website launch. These formats will use formal speech to indicate that you are simply trying to clarify what was said rather than to distract or disrupt. Below is an example of how to use do I understand professionally. 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. 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. Katie is a passionate digital nomad working on her first book on the art of communication. Whoops! Huh? How legitimate is the phrase "from which one to choose"? Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago Modified 6 years, 9 months ago Viewed 3k times 1 This is a Managing conflicts or misunderstandings through email communication can be challenging. Asked by Anonymous Mar 3, 2023. Some people struggle to write subject lines, but the easiest thing to do is be upfront about what you want. Sometimes, even though were confused, it is simply because we have not been informed of all of the information that is being presented. Ultimately, who should be responsible for completing. Learn how to format emails and get your point across in a professional manner by checking out these 6 common email formats. Your help will go a long way in helping to resolve [issue]. 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. Writing invoice emails can be tricky and they are often an area where you may need more information and clarification. 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?