There are certain times in our lives that we need to make sure we understand everything. That’s when clarifying information becomes important. If we want to double-check, we can ask for clarification. If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has received the message. This type of clarification is especially useful in business meetings, but also in everyday events like taking directions over the telephone or checking an address and telephone number. Use these phrases to clarify and check information. Show
Phrases and Structures Used to Clarify and Check that You UnderstandQuestion Tags Question tags are used when you are sure you have understood but would like to double check. Use the opposite form of the helping verb of the original sentence at the end of the sentence to check. S + Tense (positive or negative) + Objects + , + Opposite Auxiliary Verb + S You’re going to attend the meeting next week,
aren’t you? Phrases Used to Rephrase to Double CheckUse these phrases to indicate that you would like to rephrase what someone has said in order to make sure you have understood something correctly. Can I rephrase what you said/have/said? Can I rephrase what you mean? You feel it’s important to enter the market now. Phrases Used to Ask for Clarification Could you repeat that? Could you repeat that? I think I may have misunderstood you. Phrases Used to Make Sure Others have Understood YouIt’s common to ask for clarifying questions after you presented information that might be new to those listening. Use these phrases to make sure everyone has understood. Are we all on the same page? Are we all on the same page? I’d be happy to clarify anything that’s not clear. Phrases Use these phrases to repeat information to make sure everyone has understood. Let me repeat that. Let me repeat that. We’d like to find new partners for our business. Example Situations Example 1 - At a Meeting Frank: ... to end this conversation, let me repeat that we don’t expect everything to happen at once. Are we all on the same page? Frank: Certainly. Frank: Yes, that’s correct. Frank: We only need to decide who should be responsible for making those decisions when the time comes. Frank: OK. I’d like you to choose a local supervisor you feel would be up to the task. Frank: Yes, that way we’ll have the best local knowledge. Frank: How about Wednesday in two weeks? Example 2 - Getting Directions Neighbor 1: Hi Holly, could you help me out? Neighbor 1: I need directions to the new supermarket. Neighbor 1: Just a moment. Could you say that again? I’d like to get this down. Neighbor 1: Uh, yes, let me just repeat. Take a left on 5th Ave., turn right on Johnson and continue straight ahead for two miles. Neighbor 1: Great. Thanks for your help. Can you please check or could you please check?Both are correct. The first is more direct, and the second is more polite.
Is confirm whether grammatically correct?Neither "confirm whether" nor "confirm if" is correct. "Whether" and "if" include a notion of uncertainty that is inconsistent with the meaning of "confirm". It is always "confirm that".
Could you please check on it meaning?You would use it when asking another person to check on something. It doesn't have to be anything in particular. An example would be if you were cooking something and told someone to "check on it" to see if it is done.
Can you or could you which is correct?Both are technically correct, but the "Could you" form is polite (and preferable), while the "Can you" is almost an implied command that leaves no choice to the doer.
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