#Clean and clarify meaning how to

Speaker: “You need to make sure that we are getting the best possible price when we purchase new technology.” Situation 3: Open questions for clarifying instructions So, you're sure we can't go on with the current technology?Īre you sure we can fulfill our long-term ambitions this way? So, you think we should stay put until next year?

Speaker: “I think the company should invest in new technology early next year.”

Situation 2: Closed questions regarding the speaker's views and opinions Why do you think it should be early next year? What do you consider to be new technology? Speaker: “I think the company should invest in new technology early next year. Here are some examples of open and closed clarifying questions in multiple situations: Situation 1: Open questions regarding the speaker's views and opinions Related: Probing Questions: Definition, Comparisons and Examples Examples of clarifying questions This not only helps the listener better understand what the speaker meant but also helps them form an opinion of their own regarding the speaker's views. By asking open clarifying questions, the listener is making the speaker elaborate on their thoughts and providing a more detailed version of them. When you need to better understand someone's position on a certain matterĬlarifying questions are also a good way of properly understanding the nuances of someone's opinion. Reiterating a message can be frustrating for the speaker, so when the instructions aren't clear the listener should ask a closed clarifying question by saying what they understand and asking for confirmation on whether they got it right. Explaining a complex task can be difficult, so it is in the interest of both the speaker and the listener that the details of the task are entirely clear. The two main situations in which you can ask for clarification are: When you receive instructions that aren't clearĬlarifying questions are a good way to troubleshoot when you receive unclear instructions. Related: Types of Questions: Definitions and Examples When should you ask for clarification? Most of them have the form of when, why, where or how types of questions and encourage the speaker to openly expand their thoughts and ideas.Ĭlosed clarifying questions: They simply reiterate a part of the message and ask the speaker to confirm or deny that what the listener understood was indeed what the speaker was trying to express to their audience. Open clarifying questions: They ask the speaker to elaborate on a certain part of their message.

There are two main types of clarifying questions: They can be used in any situation where someone is trying to communicate a message to an audience, such as interviews, presentations, discussions and other similar circumstances. They are instead used by the listener to get a clearer factual understanding of what the speaker wants to transmit. The speaker also benefits by being reassured that their audience is actively listening and genuinely interested in what they have to say.Ĭlarifying questions don't typically require new information from the speaker. By asking this type of question after receiving the message, the listener makes sure they properly understood the message and obtain important additional information. What are clarifying questions?Ĭlarifying questions are questions that the listener asks the speaker in an attempt to eliminate or prevent any misunderstanding, confusion or ambiguity.

#Clean and clarify meaning how to

In this article, we discuss what clarifying questions are and when you should ask for clarifications, and we also provide tips and examples on how to ask for clarification. Regardless of your role within a team or organization, proper communication can have a direct impact on your efficiency.Īsking the right clarifying questions is a valuable skill, but it takes research and practice. Knowing how and when to ask clarifying questions can help you in many situations by helping you understand what someone is saying to you.