Quick answers
- How do I clarify in a meeting?
- Use 'Just to confirm' or repeat your understanding and ask if it's correct.
- What if requirements are vague?
- Ask for examples: 'Could you give me an example of what that would look like?'
Key takeaways
- Use "Just to confirm" and "When you say X, do you mean Y?"
- Repeat back your understanding before acting.
- Ask for examples when something is vague.
- Clarify scope and timeline explicitly.
- Don't nod along when you're unsure.
Instead of → Say
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| What do you mean? | When you say 'urgent,' do you mean today or this week? |
| I don't get it | I want to make sure I've got this right. We're building X first, then Y. Is that correct? |
| Can you repeat? | I missed the part about the timeline. Could you say that again? |
| So we're doing X? | Just to clarify—we're shipping phase 1 by Friday. Phase 2 is next sprint. Right? |
| What? | Could you give me an example of what that would look like? |
| I'm confused | I'm not sure I follow. Is the flow: user submits → we validate → then we persist? |
Example dialogue
PM: We need this done by EOW.
You: Just to clarify—this Friday or next? And is that a hard deadline?
PM: This Friday. Hard deadline for launch.
You: Got it. Does 'this' include error handling, or can we ship that in a follow-up?
PM: Error handling is in scope. Follow-up is for edge cases only.
You: Understood. I'll plan accordingly.
Common mistakes
- Nodding when you don't understand.
- Asking vague "can you clarify?" without being specific.
- Waiting until after the meeting to ask.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I ask for clarification without sounding slow?
- Be specific: 'I want to make sure I've got this right. [Repeat back]. Is that correct?'
- What if I didn't catch what they said?
- 'I missed that—could you repeat the part about [topic]?'
Related
Ready to practice?
Try a scenario with AI and get feedback on your communication.
Start practicing