Writing a letter for clarification is easy if you follow our advice. Here are some examples of subject lines to consider: Final report submission Clarification regarding project deadline Extension request for submitting the presentation Thank you for your support and guidance 3. Dont make it sound bad. Also, you could talk to the person to clarify before sending a formal email, because sometimes its difficult to convey the true meaning through an email. How legitimate is the phrase "from which one to choose"? Do not give orders or blackmail your colleagues. Before you do, ask yourself why you think the authors did not provide enough details. Thanks for the effort you made to explain it again. The best way to ensure that you come across as polite is if you use Please and Thank You when speaking. Thanks for clearly letting me know your opinion; I value whatever you suggest. Could you rephrase your question, please? The most common cause for a phone not starting is that the battery is dead. Email format guide 6 examples & templates. Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. If you have received a cost-of-living salary increase, keep your email short and polite. It makes the phrase sound a little bit softer and a little more polite. If someone orders you or gives instructionsto do something, its essential to fully understand what they say. Can you go over this area again just so I understand the new changes you want implemented? 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. What To Include In An Email For Clarification, Ask Specific Questions To Clarify Information, How To Write an Email Asking For Interview Feedback, How to Write an Email About Dropping a Class, How to Write an Email to A Real Estate Agent, How to Write an Email Introducing Yourself, How to Write an Email to A Roofing Company. Welcome to Grammarhow!We are on a mission to help you become better at English. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago Modified 6 years, 9 months ago Viewed 3k times 1 This is a If you have any questions, you can reach me at (222) 222-2222. Youd like to ask for clarification, but youre not sure how in a polite way. Ask for specific examples. 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. Heres an example to show you how it works: Dear Ms. Browne, Could you please clarify whether this is correct? There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. Our goal is to create English lessons that are easy to understand for everyone. The phrase just making sure is a great alternative to just to clarify, as it is more relaxed. It can be helpful to ask questions about the 5 Ws and H in this section. I have discussed several situations where you may need to ask for clarification in English. About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality, A limit involving the quotient of two sums. Doctor: Oh, sure. During these periods, it is best to ask a question as this will allow you to digest whatever information has been presented. Thanks, Tannia, for your support! Chris G. Using phrases such as Im sorry or Use one of our 9 samples to ask for clarification in an email. This is a standard clarification email that you can use to request some answers from anyone, including a colleague, customer, client, or professional. What To Do Before You Write an Email For Clarification. 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. Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? However, there can be miscommunication if information or opinion is not clearly expressed or understood. The meaning of both phrases is the same and used interchangeably. writing effective letters Public World. Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance. So, you must ask for clarification if you dont understand them. Thank you for sending me information about (product/service). If it's not the subject that's not being understood, but the explanation of it (that is, the misunderstanding is in the delivery), "could you rephrase that?" Is it correct to use "the" before "materials used in making buildings are"? You should thank them from the core of your heart. We hope that our clarification email guide provides some simple guidelines to follow. Did you mean to send me? Using phrases such as Im sorry or Excuse me when asking for clarification indicates a participatory tone that simply seeks better understanding. Not doing so and beginning to speak while the presenter is still speaking is seen as very rude in just about any formal setting. Doctor: You should take this medicine once a day. WebScore: 4.2/5 (13 votes) . Manage meeting requests like a pro with our in-depth guide to writing the best meeting request emails. Would you like me to switch off all the lights? ESL Advice is an online platform for ESL learners and teachers in which an expert team of ESL Teachers shares exclusive tips and advice about the English language. I admire that you clarified your position. Im not sure when youd like me to start adding the copy to the development website. So what can you say instead? Scenario #2: When the conversation gets sidetracked. It felt awesome. 2021 Collaborative Solutions | Lead your teams effectively without losing yourself. Its also a great way to allow someone else to add more information they may have forgotten. I appreciate your help. "Thank you for getting back to me so quickly". While we communicate with others, we exchange information and opinion. We usually stress the word actually to signal that were going to explain what we really meant. For ESL learners, interrupting someone while someone is talking can Linguix vs. Grammarly: Which AI Writing Assistant Is Value for Money in 2023? It's a good idea to spell out precisely what information you need. Introduction. When you ask a clarification question, you help to create a greater level of understanding not just for yourself but also for the speaker and those in attendance. I'm keen to make a decision this week, so can you provide me with answers by (date)? Asking for clarification email to boss sample So, how do you politely ask for clarification in English? What do you think about somebody/something. Bullet points are a great way to share information, Insert your questions/clarification request. Asking somebody to clarify something No matter where you are, maybe at home, the office, or somewhere else, you need to respond to questions. 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. If we want to double-check, we can ask for clarification. Start with a greeting Most professional emails begin with a greeting or a salutation. How do you ask for clarification? . Would you please repeat what you wanted permission for? Keep subject lines short, sweet, and simple like these: We'll assume you've already got a relationship with the email recipient, so you don't need to introduce yourself (unless you want to). Put the question in the first or second sentence. Bullet points are the most effective way of listing out your questions. Use open, non-directive questions - if appropriate. Katie Holmes is a senior author at everyday-courtesy.com with over 15 years of experience in marketing and psychology. Could/Would/Can you be a bit clearer about it? Asking for clarification or something else is fast using artificial intelligence. ?" Hi Jessica, Thanks for your email. Even if you dont quite understand what they are trying to communicate, express your thanks to them for their time and effort. Have you requested to send me the MS Word file or the PDF? Flowrite turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages across your browser. Before accepting, I would like to clarify some details. Finally, you finish each clarification letter with all the essential details and a suitable sign-off. Have you ever found it challenging to interrupt someone to express your opinion, make suggestions, or ask for further information? Dont cross the line. 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. 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. Provided is an example of how just making sure can be used professionally. 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 What To Include In An Email For Clarification Thank The Sender For The Information State Your Current Understanding Acknowledge that you need clarification. It also depends on how big the work is, but I think that generally asking for clarification is never a bad idea. There are times when we ask for suggestions from the people surrounding us. In such situations, it is highly probable that someone will wish to ask for clarification. Sorry? All Rights Reserved. Will you please mention again the name of the items you requested from the store? Q&A Answertion. These samples tackle many common reasons you may need clarification. Can you assist me with this question by tomorrow afternoon? What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? (A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. I couldnt follow what you said about it. Please repeat it for me to understand it clearly. If its a simple item, pick up the phone and call. Martin holds a Masters degree in Finance and International Business. So if you ask someone to "break down" something they said, you ask them to explain it part by part. These formats will use formal speech to indicate that you are simply trying to clarify what was said rather than to distract or disrupt. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Still, you may feel like youre being rude if you ask for clarification on the schedule, format, and personal perceptions of those in attendance. Please let me know how we can avoid this in the future. As AI is developing and being used in different sectors, writers are also using them to avoid unexpected grammatical errors or typos. WebHow do you politely ask for something? The best questions are open-ended. Further, using the conditional mood also indicates that you are not directing the conversation. Whether you are in a formal or informal situation, politeness is the key to a good conversation. When you ask someone to clarify something for you, it suggests that you are following what the person is saying and understand the majority or all of the key points, but you need more details on a certain point. There are other words you might use in this case as well. Would you mind sharing the suggestion again? Here are some expressions to ask for clarification on their requests. You may also like: 10 Better Ways To Say Thank You For Clarifying In Emails. We can split clarification emails into three parts. Say what the problem is first. When asking for clarification, it is essential to choose an appropriate time, such as a Q&A session after a presentation. "In response to your request for. I'll be in touch if I require anything else. ?". WebHow to Ask for Clarification Politely 1. ?" There are different ways you can ask for clarification in English. Could we connect on this issue before the meeting at 2PM tomorrow? Now, its time to close the email out on a positive note. See if the information makes sense to someone else. 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? Oops! Are there tables of wastage rates for different fruit and veg? Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. You can set things straight with this email clarifying the dates if that happens. Simply say thank you and move on. WebSo, if you need some clarification for what you just heard, you can use phrases like Sorry, what did you mean by that? 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. Here are some expressions to ask for clarification when someone asks for your permission. Reframing your request into "for the greater good" makes it much more digestible to follow up with. "Mr.Lyman, could you come out here please? If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." Please let me know if you need any other information. Most often, when it comes to being perceived as polite when seeking clarification, the concern is heightened by those asking for clarification. The clarification email format should be no surprise if you're already used to writing professional messages. When someone asks for permissionfor something from you, you may not always listen to them appropriately. 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?. Below is an example of how to use do I understand professionally. Avoid guilt. If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. WebDepends on the clarification. Would approach A or B be more helpful here? Now, here are 9 clarification email samples and a template to show you how to apply these insights. A reference has been provided on how to professionally use for your information. If the instructions someone sends you are about as clear as furniture assembly instructions written in something other than your native language, youll need to ask for help. Well learn some expressions to ask for clarification on someones questions. Can you please be a bit more specific about the price? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc. Recent surveys suggest that over 6 million children under the age of 17 in the US alone exhibit some form of attention deficit disorder. car, washing machine, telephone) to a sales department or someone involved in procurement. Please send your invoice for all work from our most recent contract to youremail@email.com and CC me. Its my bad that I dont quite understand you. 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. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I 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. You can also get another perspective by asking someone else to review the information. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning. Use open-ended questions to guide the discussion. 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. I wonder if you can say it in a different way for me/us. 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. Sample Letters for Request Bank To Clarify Service Charge. It sometimes happens that interviewers may need extra information after your meeting. You can contact me on (insert details). Those suggestions sometimes are too important in our professional and personal life. Web1. You can edit and adapt these as required to get the necessary information. 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. Conversations, email dialogues, and even text messages progress best when everyone has the same understanding. As we are independently owned, the recommendations made here are our own. The phrase can you elaborate is a great alternative for when you want to ask for clarification. 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. Interrupting to ask for clarification. WebPolite Speech Requesting Clarification Postscript. [Survey] Is It Rude to Say Please and Thank You at the Same Time? What happens if three defenders sack together? If someone is kind enough to provide the answers you need when you need them, it's polite to say thank you. 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. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand. Could you please explain the whole process of doing this? You can use this any time further clarification is needed. Join a clan or community group specifically for raid novices, or ask your team members for clarification. 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. 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. Could you rephrase what you just said to me about the problem? Would you please repeat what you said about our new project? Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions youve been given and make sure they are correct. You could go with something like: "Hello Bob, from your answer I couldn't understand what you want me to do; I have 2 options, X and Y, could you please be more clear about which one you want me to use?" Would you prefer if we go with approach A or B in this situation? Would it be possible for me to hear from you about this again? Do I need a thermal expansion tank if I already have a pressure tank? Can you elaborate further on what the new training program will include? Do I understand correctly that you want to reduce the funds for the IT department before changing the security system? To clarify, the key is to keep things simple, provide all details you need, and remember you're dealing with a real person. And that's how to end an email asking for clarification. You should only ask for clarification if you really feel it requires clarification. If you need extra information from a candidate, this clarification email after an interview provides the ideal structure. If your doctor gives you any instructions, you must follow them. There are a few simple steps to follow when youre looking for further explanation. Either way, there is a high probability that youve been in a conversation where you need clarification. However, if you dont understand someones question, you should ask for clarification and answer accordingly. Huh? May I? Can I? and Could I? are three of the most common expressions in English used to ask for permission. Just to make sure were on the same page, all reports are to be completed by Tuesday. ?" It appears there has been a breakdown in communication. Then refer to a specific aspect: Could you please explain once again why A is so important for B?. You need more information to fully understand what they mean, but the other person is getting irritated with all of your questions? Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy. To create a follow-up email, follow these steps: 1. Be polite while asking. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. "If I understand you correctly " is a slightly more formal way to check your understanding. You got this! However, if you dont understand them, you should ask them to clarify. Well! This article will introduce you to some pointers on how to request clarification via email. Write emails and messages faster across Google Chrome. A thesaurus is your friend here. Sometimes we need clarification when we want to get a better handle on where others are coming from. 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. Would you mind repeating the name of the place? In our personal & professional life, while talking to someone, we all have situations when we dont clearly understand what the other person is saying. We use cookies to analyze site performance and deliver a better experience for visitors. So, do you really think this will be a profitable deal? Lets take a look at some common cases that can come up in our work and personal lives and consider the best ways to respond. We encounter numerous questionsin our everyday life. Would/Could you please clarify it for me/us? My goal is to complete [Task A] by Thursday, so this information will help me to get started immediately. *Its better to use Past, not Present. First up, here's a sample email seeking clarification. When someone says anything, they usually give you information about something or someone. Follow the format, keep things clear, and always include your contact details! The first thing to remember when asking for clarification is that you can be honest and straightforward. May I know what you just wanted permission for.? Then, if youre still not clear on something, its time to write an email to ask for clarification. Greet your reader. Sorry if I was unclear. Janet opened the door and smiled slightly. How to politely ask for clarification on a person's designation? 03 Mar 2023 13:44:40 Tannia is a very authentic person and is able to provide clients powerful and versatile communication tools that can be employed in daily conversations, in negotiations or in meetings. 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. How To Request Clarification Via Email Template. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about dates and times for meetings and appointments. Could/Would you explain it again, please? Include your contact details and how they can get in touch with you. A salutation followed by the hiring manager's name is common. You see! Here we give you 5 tips and provide 4 example emails to help you write better help request emails. Weve all been there: a long meeting, an intense lecture, a complicated sales presentation. If you do feel compelled to ask before a presenter has reached a point where there is a lull in the presentation or conversation, its very important to raise your hand. I am sorry, but I couldnt follow your words.? On many occasions, you may not receive the exact information for many reasons. This allows the presenter to complete his or her thought so that you are completely informed. Is that/this ok if I ask/request you to clarify it? Close the email politely and thoughtfully. Asking for clarification. Please find re-attached for your convenience. Remember, technical skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. It's even better if you can have conversations and get corrected by a professional English tutor!