![another word for clarify another word for clarify](https://grammartop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/460361feb067d328424ef598a0c9309d5927916f.png)
If the instructions someone sends you are about as clear as furniture assembly instructions written in something other than your native language, you’ll need to ask for help. Let’s take a look at some common cases that can come up in our work and personal lives and consider the best ways to respond. There are all kinds of situations where you might need to ask clarifying questions. Don’t make the other person flail around trying to figure out what you do understand and what you don’t. If there’s a specific thing that’s unclear to you, name it. If the conversation has been a lengthy or complex one, it can be helpful to give the other person a summary of what’s taken place up to this point. You’ll get a much better response from, “Would you explain that to me again?” than “That was as clear as mud!” Don’t say anything that sounds accusatory. Don’t be vague, simply state that you don’t understand. Admitting you need more information makes the next step much easier for the person you ask. There are a few simple steps to follow when you’re looking for further explanation. Asking for clarification shows that you’re attentive and that you care enough to make sure you thoroughly understand what you’ve been told. In fact, guessing and getting it wrong is more likely to cause problems than politely asking for more info. Some time in your elementary school life, you may have had a teacher who said, “The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.” That stock teacher phrase couldn’t make things any clearer-it’s okay to ask for an explanation if you don’t understand.