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Business English Vocabulary
Communication: Asking Questions
| # | Word / phrase | Meaning / use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ask | request information | May I ask a question? |
| 2 | question | something you ask to get information | I have a question about the report. |
| 3 | clarify | make something clearer | Could you clarify this point? |
| 4 | clarification | additional explanation | I need some clarification on this issue. |
| 5 | explain | make something understandable | Could you explain how it works? |
| 6 | explanation | information that makes something clear | Thank you for the explanation. |
| 7 | confirm | check that something is correct | Could you confirm the deadline? |
| 8 | confirmation | proof that something is correct or agreed | We need written confirmation. |
| 9 | specify | give precise details | Could you specify which figures you need? |
| 10 | specific | precise, clearly defined | Could you be more specific? |
| 11 | detail | a particular piece of information | Could you give me more details? |
| 12 | elaborate | give more information | Could you elaborate on that point? |
| 13 | assume | accept something as true without checking | I assumed the meeting was at ten. |
| 14 | verify | check that something is true or accurate | Let me verify that information. |
| 15 | interpret | understand the meaning of something | How should we interpret these results? |
| 16 | rephrase | express something differently | Could you rephrase the question? |
| 17 | repeat | say something again | Could you repeat the last part? |
| 18 | mean | have a particular meaning | What exactly do you mean by that? |
| 19 | refer to | mention or indicate something | What does this figure refer to? |
| 20 | point | a particular idea or issue | Could you clarify this point? |
| 21 | issue | a matter requiring attention | I have a question regarding this issue. |
| 22 | context | information surrounding a situation | Could you give me some context? |
| 23 | requirement | something that is necessary | What are the main requirements? |
| 24 | objective | a goal or intended result | What is the main objective here? |
| 25 | scope | the limits or extent of something | Could you clarify the scope of the project? |
| 26 | priority | something considered more important | Which tasks should be our priority? |
| 27 | assumption | something accepted without proof | That assumption needs to be checked. |
| 28 | perspective | a particular way of viewing something | Could you explain this from the client's perspective? |
| 29 | implication | possible effect or consequence | What are the implications for our team? |
| 30 | rationale | the reasoning behind a decision | Could you explain the rationale behind this decision? |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| ask a question | May I ask a quick question? |
| raise a question | This raises an important question. |
| seek clarification | I would like to seek clarification on this point. |
| request clarification | We need to request clarification from the client. |
| provide clarification | Could you provide some clarification? |
| ask for details | I would like to ask for a few more details. |
| give further details | Could you give us some further details? |
| confirm the details | Let me confirm the details with the supplier. |
| clarify the situation | We need to clarify the situation before making a decision. |
| clarify the requirements | Could we clarify the client's requirements? |
| define the scope | We need to define the scope of the project. |
| identify the main issue | Can we identify the main issue here? |
| explain the rationale | Could you explain the rationale behind the change? |
| provide context | Could you provide some context for this decision? |
| address a concern | I would like to address a concern. |
| verify the information | We should verify the information first. |
| confirm an assumption | We need to confirm this assumption. |
| seek further information | I would like to seek further information. |
Asking for clarification
Asking for clarification
- Could you clarify what you mean by that?
- Could you elaborate on that point?
- Could you give me a little more context?
- Could you be more specific?
- Could you explain that in a little more detail?
- Would you mind clarifying this point?
Checking understanding
- If I understand you correctly, you are saying that...
- So, if I understand correctly, the main issue is...
- Just to make sure I have understood you correctly...
- So, are you suggesting that we...?
Asking for precise information
- Could you give me some more details about...?
- Do you have any information on...?
- Could you specify which figures you are referring to?
- What exactly do you mean by...?
- What would you consider the main priority?
Asking about decisions and reasoning
- Could you explain the reasoning behind this decision?
- What was the rationale for making this change?
- What led to this decision?
- What are the main factors we should consider?
- What are the implications for our team?
Common Mistakes
Communication: Asking Questions - Common Mistakes
| ❌ Common mistake | ✔️ Better English |
|---|---|
| ❌ Can you explain me this? | ✔️ Can you explain this to me? |
| ❌ Can you clarify me this point? | ✔️ Can you clarify this point for me? |
| ❌ What means this? | ✔️ What does this mean? |
| ❌ What does it mean this? | ✔️ What does this mean? |
| ❌ Could you explain what means this? | ✔️ Could you explain what this means? |
| ❌ I want to ask you a question about... | ✔️ I would like to ask you about... |
| ❌ Can you repeat again? | ✔️ Could you repeat that? |
| ❌ Could you repeat it once again? | ✔️ Could you repeat that? |
| ❌ What is the reason why...? | ✔️ What is the reason...? / Why...? |
| ❌ Can you give me more informations? | ✔️ Can you give me more information? |
| ❌ I need some informations. | ✔️ I need some information. |
| ❌ Can you give me an advice? | ✔️ Can you give me some advice? |
| ❌ What is the meaning of this? | ✔️ What does this mean? |
| ❌ Can you explain about the process? | ✔️ Can you explain the process? |
| ❌ I have a doubt about this. | ✔️ I have a question / concern about this. |
| ❌ I have a question concerning about... | ✔️ I have a question concerning... |
| ❌ Could you say me...? | ✔️ Could you tell me...? |
| ❌ I don't understand what you say. | ✔️ I do not understand what you mean. |