clarification questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"clarification questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to questions used to get a clearer understanding of a particular subject. For example, "The doctor asked several clarification questions about the patient's medical history before proceeding with the examination."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Hence clarification questions do not unfold any new knowledge.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Clarification questions are addressed first because they could be the bottle-neck and pre-requisite for understanding the discussions about exploratory questions.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Susan was clearly trying to use this language to explain how the teacher was making students "work through" the task by asking clarification questions.

International Journal of STEM Education

More specifically, we identified: (1) 'tentativeness of explanation', (2) various types of 'questions' (such as confirmation questions, clarification questions, task questions, how questions), (3) 'planning' and (4) 'monitoring'monitoring

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The other positive socioemotional indicator, inclusion, was significantly correlated with clarification questions (r s  = 0.157, p = 0.038) and task questions (r s  = 0.325, p = 0.000).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

One of the maintenance factors listed on the chart paper was "Questions: Clarification questions, open-ended, making thinking visible for students".

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

People like to know you're listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows that not only are you listening but that you also care about what they're saying.

Huffington Post

People like to know you're listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows not only that you are listening but that you also care about what they're saying.

Huffington Post

People like to know you're listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows that not only are you listening, you also care about what they're saying.

Huffington Post

For example, if the collaboration interface of an online discussion forum automatically inserts "clarification question" into the subject line but provides a text entry window of only two lines when the reply button is clicked, then many other possible activities such as formulating an elaborate counterargument seem to be excluded (see also Kirschner, Beers, Boshuizen, & Gijselaers, 2007).

Educational Psychologist

Despite his clarifications, questions remain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking "clarification questions", be specific and focus on the exact point that needs further explanation. This makes it easier for the other person to provide a helpful response.

Common error

Avoid asking general "clarification questions" like "Can you explain that again?" Instead, pinpoint the specific concept or step that is unclear. For instance, ask "Can you explain the specific role of the 'this' method again?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarification questions" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that is a valid phrase in English, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies questions that aim to make something clearer or easier to understand.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarification questions" refers to questions used to ensure mutual understanding and resolve ambiguities in communication. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including scientific, news, and educational settings. When using this phrase, remember to be specific and focus on the exact point that needs further explanation. Alternatives such as "questions for clarity" and "probing questions" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression depending on the specific context. Encouraging others to ask "clarification questions" can create a more inclusive and effective communication environment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questions for clarity

This alternative emphasizes the goal of the questions, which is to achieve clarity.

questions aimed at clarification

This focuses on the intention behind the questions.

elucidating questions

This emphasizes the role of the questions in making something clearer.

questions seeking further detail

This emphasizes the desire for additional information.

questions to clear up doubts

This alternative is more direct about the purpose of removing uncertainty.

follow-up questions

This refers to questions asked to expand on previous answers.

probing questions

This suggests questions that delve deeper to uncover hidden details or assumptions.

requests for explanation

This highlights the need for more detailed explanations.

inquiry for understanding

This focuses on the act of inquiring with the intention of gaining a better understanding.

information seeking questions

This is a more general term, implying a broader search for information.

FAQs

How do I use "clarification questions" effectively in a meeting?

Use "clarification questions" to ensure everyone understands the key points. Frame them politely and focus on understanding, not challenging, the speaker. For example, "Just to clarify, are we saying that X will happen before Y?"

What's the difference between "clarification questions" and exploratory questions?

"Clarification questions" aim to confirm understanding of existing information, while exploratory questions seek new insights or delve deeper into a topic. They are related but "exploratory questions" are more open-ended.

What are some examples of "clarification questions"?

Examples include: "Can you elaborate on that point?", "Could you provide an example?", or "Are you saying that...?" These questions are designed to remove ambiguity and confirm understanding.

How can I encourage others to ask "clarification questions"?

Create a safe and supportive environment where people feel comfortable admitting they don't understand something. Normalize asking questions and emphasize that "clarification questions" benefit everyone. Use prompts such as “What questions do you have to clarify what we've discussed?”