13 Ways to Clarify When You Don’t Understand Someone | Advanced English Conversation
When should you ask for clarification?
There are primarily two instances where you should seek clarification:
When you receive instructions that arent clear
Asking clarification questions is a good way to resolve the issue when given unclear instructions. It can be challenging to explain a difficult task, so it is in the best interest of both the speaker and the listener that all of the task’s specifics are made clear.
When instructions are unclear, the listener should ask a closed clarifying question by explaining what they understand and seeking confirmation that they understood the message correctly to avoid frustrating the speaker by repeating the message.
When you need to better understand someones position on a certain matter
Asking clarifying questions can help you fully grasp the nuances of someone’s viewpoint. The listener forces the speaker to elaborate on their ideas and provides a more thorough version of them by asking open-ended clarifying questions. This not only aids the listener in comprehending the speaker’s meaning but also assists them in developing their own opinion of the speaker’s viewpoints.
What are clarifying questions?
Clarifying questions are those that the listener poses to the speaker in an effort to clear up any doubt, ambiguity, or misinterpretation. The listener can ensure they fully understand the message and learn crucial new information by following up with questions of this nature. The speaker gains from knowing that their listeners are paying attention and genuinely interested in what they have to say.
Clarifying questions dont typically require new information from the speaker. Instead, the listener makes use of them to gain a more accurate understanding of what the speaker is trying to convey. They can be utilized in any setting where one is attempting to convey a message to an audience, including discussions, interviews, presentations, and other situations of a similar nature.
There are two main types of clarifying questions:
Examples of clarifying questions
Here are some instances of both open and closed clarifying queries in various contexts:
Situation 1: Open questions regarding the speakers views and opinions
*Speaker: “I believe the business ought to make an early 2019 technology investment. ”*.
Clarifying questions:
Situation 2: Closed questions regarding the speakers views and opinions
*Speaker: “I believe the business ought to make an early 2019 technology investment. ”*.
Clarifying questions:
Situation 3: Open questions for clarifying instructions
When we buy new technology, you need to make sure we’re getting the best deal possible, says the speaker. ”*.
Clarifying questions:
Situation 4: Closed questions for clarifying instructions
When we buy new technology, you need to make sure we’re getting the best deal possible, says the speaker. ”*.
Clarifying questions:
Tips for asking for clarification
Follow these tips when asking clarifying questions:
Let the speaker know that you need clarification
It’s best to be specific when requesting additional clarification. You ought to be honest about the fact that you require additional details in order to fully comprehend what the speaker is attempting to convey.
Summarize what you understood and what you havent
If the conversation is lengthy and complex, you should briefly summarize what you understood from the speaker’s message and use that information to make the speaker aware of the precise areas in which you require more explanation.
Dont blame the speaker
Making the speaker realize that it is not their fault that you were unable to fully understand what they had to say is typically more effective. You are more likely to get the clarification you seek if you avoid sounding accusatory.
Be specific in your request
It’s crucial to make the speaker understand exactly where you require clarification. In this manner, they can concentrate on explaining those particular parts in a clearer way rather than trying to figure out which parts you did not understand.
Pay attention to the tone of your voice
The same sentence can sound entirely different to another person depending on your voice tone. When requesting clarification, you should do so in an overtly inquisitive manner so that the other person can tell the question is not intended as an accusation but rather as an admission that you need more information.
Thank the speaker
In order to show your appreciation for them taking the time to further explain the concept, you should thank the person who provided the clarification.
FAQ
How do you ask a clarifying question?
- Admit if you are unsure about what the speaker means.
- Ask for repetition.
- State what you believe the speaker has said, and then confirm that this is what they actually said.
- Ask for specific examples.
- Use open, non-directive questions – if appropriate.
What is an example of clarifying?
Clarify means to make something more understandable or transparent. One instance of clarification is when a teacher responds to inquiries about a lesson. To clarify is to make something clear or remove something by purifying a liquid. Clarifying something is as simple as cooking butter and skimming the foam.
What is clarifying in a conversation?
Basic inquiries about the facts that address a matter are known as clarifying questions. It provides background that can lead to a probing question. The use of probing questions helps participants learn more about the issue at hand.
