When you’re writing a professional email, you may find yourself tired of using the phrase “just to clarify”, but can’t come up with any other options, don’t worry! There are more ways to give and receive clarification while still maintaining your professionalism.
Table of Contents
What Can I Say Instead Of “Just To Clarify”?
- Just To Make Sure We’re On The Same Page
- For The Record
- Do I Understand
- Just To Be Clear
- Just So I Understand
- Let Me See If I Understand This
- Let Me Make This Clear
- Just Making Sure
- Can You Elaborate
- For Your Information
The preferred synonym to “just to clarify” is “just to make sure we’re on the same page”. While this can be a longer phrase, it’s a great way to both clarify and ask for clarification while not sounding as though you weren’t listening or being rude.
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Just To Make Sure We’re On The Same Page
If you’re looking to clarify something you’ve said or to ask for more clarification in case you don’t want to seem as though you weren’t paying attention. It’s an easy phrase used to help break the barrier of communication and make sure everyone has the same information.
A great example of when you could use this phrase is if you have been given a set of instructions from one person, but had been told something a little different from someone else. Using this phrase, you can include all the instructions you’ve been given and make sure they are correct.
Here’s an example of “just to make sure we’re on the same page” being used professionally.
- Just to make sure we’re on the same page, all reports are to be completed by Tuesday.
For The Record
“For the record” can be a great phrase to use if you’re looking to substitute the phrase “just to clarify”. It gives you an easy way to state what you mean, directly letting everyone know you are sharing pertinent information.
When a situation comes up and no one can seem to agree on what has happened, using “for the record” is a great way to state your information quickly and concisely or ask for someone else’s information directly.
Here’s an example of how to use “for the record” in a professional manner.
- For the record, I would like it known I brought this issue to light weeks before it was a problem.
Do I Understand
A great way to ask for clarification is by using “do I understand”, allowing you to go over the information by showing you’re paying attention and asking for clarity. It’s also a great way to allow someone else to add more information they may have forgotten.
When you want to ask for more clarification on something, but don’t want to seem rude, “do I understand” allows you to ask for more information and gives others the ability to correct you if necessary without sounding as though they are berating or belittling you.
Below is an example of how to use “do I understand” professionally.
- Do I understand correctly that you want to reduce the funds for the IT department before changing the security system?
Just To Be Clear
Whether you want to clarify something for someone or you want clarification yourself, “just to be clear” is a great phrase to use when giving or receiving information. It also allows for a wide range of expression as the tone it is said in can add more meaning to the phrase.
When you need to be a little more authoritative in your professional emails, whether that’s to set boundaries or correct instructions that were wrong, “just to be clear” is perfect for those situations where you want to be straightforward and concise.
Here is a great example of how to use “just to be clear” professionally in an email.
- Just to be clear, my working hours are 8am-4pm and you will be unable to contact me outside those hours for work-related purposes.
Just So I Understand
Sometimes, using “just to clarify” doesn’t convey how you feel when you’re asking for more information. Using the phrase “just so I understand” is a great alternative if you are confused, astounded, amazed, or in disbelief in regards to the information or instructions you have been given.
In a situation where you feel as though you don’t have all of the information, whether that’s because you missed part of it or it just seems as though there’s a gap, using “just so I understand” gives you the time to go over what you do know and lets others fill in any missing pieces.
An example is provided below on the professional usage of “just so I understand”.
- Can you go over this area again just so I understand the new changes you want implemented?
Let Me See If I Understand This
“Just to clarify” can be a phrase some view as intimidating, as they may feel you are doubting them or acting as though you are above them. “Let me see if I understand this” is a phrase that says clearly what you mean in words everyone can understand with no potential hidden meanings.
A great example of why this is a good synonym phrase to use when you want more information about something, but you don’t want to come off as intimidating or rude by using “just to clarify”. This phrase allows you to use simple words with no room for misinterpretation.
You can use this reference on how “let me see if I understand this” is used professionally.
- Let me see if I understand this; you want to create a proposal which would limit our available staff positions for hire?
Let Me Make This Clear
Sometimes, you need to use a firm tone to let everyone know who’s in charge and what’s going on, and the phrase “let me make this clear” does just that. It lets everyone know you mean business and that they better listen to what you’re about to tell them because you probably won’t repeat yourself.
When you are in a situation where you need to provide clarification on something, but you also need to be stern, using the phrase “let me make this clear” is perfect for getting your point across while correcting any misinformation someone may have had.
Below is a reference example showing how “let me make this clear” can be used professionally.
- Let me make myself clear, everyone must follow all of the new health and safety guidelines in accordance with the CDC.
Just Making Sure
The phrase “just making sure” is a great alternative to “just to clarify”, as it is more relaxed. It allows you to ask if you’ve got the right information, but it also allows you to check-in with other people to make sure they understand the information you’ve given them.
An example where it would be appropriate to use this phrase would be when you want to discuss a topic with someone and you check in on them and their progress to make sure they are working off of the correct information.
Provided is an example of how “just making sure” can be used professionally.
- I was just making sure you had received all of the current information regarding the upcoming project.
Can You Elaborate?
The phrase “can you elaborate” is a great alternative for when you want to ask for clarification. This shows you have a desire for more information and it sounds as though you are genuinely invested in the current topic at hand.
If you are in a situation where you are being given a lot of information that you may not fully understand, using this phrase is a great way to get the information you need without looking like you’re completely lost.
Here is an example of how to use “can you elaborate” professionally.
- Can you elaborate further on what the new training program will include?
For Your Information
“For your information” is a phrase you can use when you want it to be clear to all that you are going to provide information. It can be used very formally, or it can be used with a subtle undertone of disdaine and attitude while still providing information.
When you are tasked with providing necessary information to someone, but would like to keep things brief and formal, you can use this phrase to cut to the chase.
A reference has been provided on how to professionally use “for your information”.
- For your information, a pamphlet will be provided detailing the new workflow system.
What Is The Difference Between “Just To Clarify” And “Just For Clarification”?
The difference between “just to clarify” and “just for clarification” is fairly small. Both phrases can be used to ask for more information or to give more information when someone requests it of you. Both phrases can be used interchangeably, as they have the same meaning.
The difference between these two phrases is only in how they are grammatically structured, with “clarify” being a verb and “clarification” being a noun. The meaning of both phrases is the same and used interchangeably.
You may also like: 10 Better Ways To Say “Thank You For Clarifying” In Emails
