Correcting Politely and Asking for Clarification - Functional Language
Practise correcting politely and asking for clarification at B2–C1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Repair professional misunderstandings through evidence-based corrections and precise questions.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Give learners page 1 and keep the suggested answers on page 2 for discussion after they write.
- Contrast I'm not sure that's quite right with Could you elaborate…? and If I understand you correctly….
- Respond to deadline, proposal, fee and procedure situations, identifying exactly what needs checking.
- Compare answers that merely ask for repetition with those requesting an example or contextual meaning, including statistically significant.
Support and extension
Offer question stems for support. Extend by adding the relevant email or calendar evidence. Do not teach the technical terms as if their meaning were established by this phrase sheet; practise requesting explanation.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
