Do you want to know how to ask for clarification politely in an email?
Perhaps you’re worried that simply saying “can you clarify?” isn’t professional or polite enough.
Well, that’s what this article is here to help you with.
We will teach you a more polite way to ask for clarification.
You can review these synonyms to find the best options for your writing:
- Would you mind providing more details?
- Could you elaborate on that point?
- I would appreciate further clarification
- Could you share more information?
- Could you shed more light on this matter?
- I’d appreciate any more information you can give
- Please provide me with more to go on
- Do you have more details to share?
- Would you be kind enough to clarify?
- I would be grateful for additional information
1. Would You Mind Providing More Details?
You can start by saying “would you mind providing more details?” This is a direct and honest way to let someone know you’d like to learn more information.
Generally, you can use it when writing to your boss. Let’s say they’ve set you a task, but you’re not quite sure how to go about it.
Well, this is a good way to be formal when asking for their help. It’s polite and shows you’d like to learn a few things before you’re ready to take the task on and do it justice.
Here’s a helpful example to show you more about it if you’re still stumped:
Dear Miss Appleby,
Would you mind providing more details about this project before I start?
I’d like to get it right, so I just have to ask you some questions.
Best wishes,
Sharon Kann
2. Could You Elaborate on That Point?
We also recommend using “could you elaborate on that point?” instead. It’s a useful synonym when you need to ask for further clarification in an email.
It’s formal and sincere. So, it’s a good opportunity to let someone know you need more information from them before you can continue with something.
Try using it when asking for help from your boss for help. It shows you’re trying to figure out what they’re telling you, so you’d like them to expand on their views or elaborate an idea more.
Here’s a helpful email sample to also show you more about it:
Dear Miss Murray,
Could you elaborate on that point more, please?
I’d really like to know if this is the right move for the team before we continue.
Yours,
Jonathan Myers
3. I Would Appreciate Further Clarification
If you’re looking for a professional way to ask for clarification, try “I would appreciate further clarification.”
It gets to the point and lets someone know quickly that you need more information before agreeing to something.
Use it when contacting a recruiter. You can ask for clarification in response to an offer letter. It’s a great chance to let someone know you need more information before deciding anything.
This example should also help you to understand it a bit better:
Dear Miss Wolfe,
I would appreciate further clarification from you before I accept this.
Please let me know what I can expect if I start working at this firm.
Yours,
George Smarter
4. Could You Share More Information?
We also think it’s smart to write “could you share more information?” This is a clear and friendly way to ask whether someone is happy to talk more to you about something.
Generally, we would use this when writing to a customer. It lets them know you’re happy to handle their complaint, but you need to learn more before you can be of assistance.
So, it’s a polite and encouraging phrase that shows you’re happy to hear someone out and see what they have to say.
Also, you can review this example to learn some more about it:
Dear Miss Tang,
Could you share more information regarding this matter?
Then, I can look into it further and let you know what I come up with.
Yours,
Tony Norris
5. Could You Shed More Light on This Matter?
You can include “could you shed more light on this matter” in your writing to find out more about something.
It shows you get the jist of a situation, but you would also benefit from further clarification.
So, it’s worth using this when contacting a teacher. It lets them know that you understand an assignment, but you don’t quite follow with everything they’re asking of you.
It’s a good chance to be formal and sincere when asking for help that might explain a few things to you.
Also, you can review this example if you’d like more help with it:
Dear Ms. Moroi,
Could you shed more light on this matter before I start with the assignment?
I get what you’re asking, but I’m not sure I understand the nuances here.
Yours,
Stephen Greed
6. I’d Appreciate Any More Information You Can Give
We think it’s worth including “I’d appreciate any more information you can give” to mix things up as well.
This time, we recommend it because it’s professional and sincere.
So, it’s an effective phrase when you’re seeking advice or information from someone you trust.
Try it when contacting a business partner. It lets them know that you’re coming to them for information because you know you can trust them with it.
We also think it’s worth looking at this email example to learn a bit more:
Dear Mr. Morrison,
I’d appreciate any more information you can give me before we continue.
What are your thoughts on this situation, and how can we proceed?
All the best,
Joel Dommett
7. Please Provide Me With More to Go On
Try “please provide me with more to go on” as a more friendly way to ask for clarification.
This time, it’s good to use when contacting a coworker. It shows you’ve understood a project well, but you think your coworker can help to explain a bit more about it.
So, it’s worth using when asking about a team project. It’s honest and humble, suggesting that you wouldn’t be able to do something without further insight from another party.
You should check out this email sample if you’re still confused:
Dear Cheryl,
Please provide me with more to go on before I start with this project.
I want to get it right, but I’m not sure whether this is the best way to move forward.
My best,
Carla Clanker
8. Do You Have More Details to Share?
Also, it’s worth using “do you have more details to share” when figuring out if someone can clarify a situation.
For instance, you can use it when writing to your boss. It gives you an opportunity to discuss something with them to figure out whether they can share information to help you.
Generally, this works well when asking for clarification regarding a project. It shows you respect your boss’s knowledge, and you want to find out what they think.
It’s effective because it keeps things more civil and sincere when contacting your boss. They’ll be very happy to respond to something like this because it shows you don’t have all the answers and still need their help.
Also, you can check out this email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Miss Church,
Do you have more details to share about this project before I continue?
I’ll start working on it immediately, but I wanted to know if there’s anything you can tell me.
Best wishes,
Max Branning
9. Would You Be Kind Enough to Clarify?
You can also write “would you be kind enough to clarify” in an email. It’s a great way to be polite and professional when asking someone for a bit more guidance or information.
For instance, you can use it when contacting a teacher.
It lets them know that you’ve followed some of the things they’ve mentioned. However, it also suggests that you’d like a bit more information before you can really understand them.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn a bit more about how to use it:
Dear Mr. Tompkins,
Would you be kind enough to clarify what you want me to do with this assignment?
I’m a little confused about what’s expected.
All the best,
Ryan Howard
10. I Would Be Grateful for Additional Information
Finally, we recommend using “I would be grateful for additional information.”
This is respectful and sincere. So, it’s a great phrase to include in a formal email when you’d like clarity on something.
You can use this when you want to write a letter asking for clarification.
After all, sending a letter to a company can give you a chance to speak to the appropriate department and see if they can clarify any issues you have.
You can also review this letter sample to learn a bit more about it:
To Whom It May Concern,
I would be grateful for additional information regarding this product release.
Please get back to me as soon as you have more to share.
Thank you so much,
Maxwell Rutherford