When communicating through email, it's not uncommon to encounter situations where you need someone to repeat themselves. Instead of using the same old phrase, "Can you repeat that?", there are more polite and professional alternatives you can use. Here are nine different ways to ask someone to repeat themselves in an email:
- Could you please clarify what you just said?
- I apologize, but I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it for me?
- Sorry, could you please restate what you just mentioned?
- Would you mind repeating your previous statement?
- Could you kindly go over that again?
- My understanding is not clear. Could you provide further explanation?
- Sorry for the inconvenience, but could you kindly repeat the information?
- I'm sorry, but I didn't hear/understand what you said. Can you say it again?
- Could you please speak a bit louder/clearer so that I can hear/understand you better?
Now let's take a closer look at each alternative and provide examples for better understanding:
1. Could you please clarify what you just said?
This phrase acknowledges that you didn't understand the initial statement and politely asks the sender to provide further explanation or clarification.
Example:
Dear John,
I apologize, but I'm not sure I understood your last email. Could you please clarify what you just said about the project timeline?
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Grace
2. I apologize, but I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it for me?
This phrase expresses that you didn't fully grasp the information and respectfully asks the sender to repeat it to ensure clear comprehension.
Example:
Hello Sarah,
I listened carefully to your voicemail, but I didn't quite catch the details of the client meeting. Could you please repeat the date, time, and location for me?
Thank you kindly.
Best regards,
Michael
3. Sorry, could you please restate what you just mentioned?
This phrase admits that you didn't hear or understand what the sender previously mentioned and politely requests them to rephrase their statement.
Example:
Hi Lisa,
Apologies for the inconvenience, but I couldn't hear what you said during our phone call. Could you please restate the main points you mentioned about the upcoming project?
Thank you for your patience.
Regards,
David
4. Would you mind repeating your previous statement?
This phrase politely asks the sender to repeat their previous statement or information without causing any offense.
Example:
Dear Emily,
Would you mind repeating the instructions you provided during our team meeting? I want to ensure I have all the details accurately.
Thank you for your understanding.
Warm regards,
Michelle
5. Could you kindly go over that again?
This phrase shows politeness and asks the sender to go over the information again to aid in better understanding.
Example:
Hello Peter,
Sorry to bother you, but I didn't fully understand the steps you mentioned for the new software installation. Could you kindly go over that again at your convenience?
Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Sarah
6. My understanding is not clear. Could you provide further explanation?
This phrase acknowledges your lack of understanding and humbly requests the sender to provide additional explanation or details.
Example:
Bill,
I appreciate your email regarding the upcoming marketing campaign, but my understanding is not clear. Could you please provide further explanation about the target audience and key objectives?
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Anna
7. Sorry for the inconvenience, but could you kindly repeat the information?
This phrase apologizes for any inconvenience caused and politely asks the sender to repeat the information for better comprehension.
Example:
Hi Robert,
Sorry to trouble you, but I need some clarity on the updated budget figures. Could you kindly repeat the numbers discussed during our meeting?
Thank you for your understanding.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth
8. I'm sorry, but I didn't hear/understand what you said. Can you say it again?
This phrase acknowledges your difficulty in hearing or understanding the sender and politely asks them to repeat their statement.
Example:
John,
I apologize, but I didn't hear or fully understand the information you mentioned during our call. Can you please say it again, clearly and slowly?
Thank you for your patience.
Regards,
Emily
9. Could you please speak a bit louder/clearer so that I can hear/understand you better?
This phrase requests the sender to adjust their speaking volume or clarity to aid in better hearing and understanding of the information being communicated.
Example:
Hello Sarah,
Apologies for the inconvenience, but I had difficulty hearing your presentation during the meeting. Could you please speak a bit louder and clearer next time?
Thank you for your cooperation.
Best regards,
Michael
Using these alternate phrases, you can ask someone to repeat themselves in a polite and professional manner in your professional emails. Remember, effective communication is essential in any workplace, and being courteous and respectful in your email conversations contributes to a positive and productive work environment.
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