So, you’d like to find the best way to ask someone whether they understand your explanation.
However, are you concerned that does that make sense is a bit informal?
Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn more.
This article will show you how to say does that make sense professionally to ensure you get the right tone.
6 Alternative Ways to Say “Does That Make Sense?”
Check out these 6 alternatives to learn what to write instead of saying does that make sense:
- Do you follow?
- Is that clear?
- Do you understand?
- Am I being clear?
- Are you with me so far?
- Can you see my point?
1. Do You Follow?
Another way to say does the make sense is do you follow. This is an excellent question that tackles the problem head-on and sees if someone understands you.
Generally, it’s direct and blunt. So, it’s a great way to get someone’s verdict immediately and find out whether your explanation was sufficient for them.
So, you will benefit from using this when contacting employees. After all, the phrase itself is quite bossy.
It’s still professional, but you should only use it when you are in a position of power.
Feel free to review this sample email to learn more about how it works:
Dear Dana,
Do you follow the things I’m saying?
If not, I’d be happy to sit down with you and discuss it face-to-face.
All the best,
Joanna Martins
2. Is That Clear?
For something more direct and professional, use is that clear.
It’s a little blunt, but that’s what makes it effective. It generally implies that you don’t have any more time to explain a situation, so you’d appreciate someone’s cooperation.
Use it when writing to a client. It shows that you’ve laid everything out for them, and you’d like to see if they understand you.
For the most part, the phrase is not polite. However, it’s not rude, either. It’s simply a more expressive and direct way of seeing whether someone understands you.
Check out the following sample email if you still need help with it:
Dear Mr. Rogers,
I have attached everything you will need to know about this project. Is that clear?
If you have any further questions, please direct them to my department.
Yours,
George Jenkins
3. Do You Understand?
Going back to a more polite question, you can ask do you understand. It’s another phrase for does that make sense that shows you’re hoping someone understands you.
Generally, this works best when writing to a customer. It shows that you’re doing your best to explain a situation to them.
It lets the recipient know you’re on their side. Also, it’s a great chance to show that you’re willing to explain something further if they don’t yet understand.
So, you can check out this email example if you want to learn more:
Dear Ms. Adams,
I appreciate what you’re saying, but we have a few things to work on before we finalize this.
Do you understand, or would you like more information?
Best regards,
Jonathan Foster
4. Am I Being Clear?
If you want a direct and pushy way to ask if someone makes sense, you can ask am I being clear.
Generally, this works well when writing to an employee. It lets them know that you’re doing your best to explain something, and you hope they’re following along.
However, be careful with this one. It’s not polite. It still works well when you know the recipient well (especially if you’re their boss), but it can cause problems if you don’t know them.
So, stick to using it only when writing to employees.
Feel free to review this example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Melissa,
These are the changes that I’d like you to commit to moving forward.
Am I being clear about them, or would you like some more information?
All the best,
Sarah Waterstone
5. Are You With Me So Far?
For something more friendly, you can use are you with me so far.
This is generally quite a good question when you know you’re explaining a difficult topic. It suggests that you appreciate that someone might be struggling to understand you.
Also, using are you with me makes the phrase more personal. It shows you’re doing your best to move at the recipient’s pace to show them that you’re helping them.
Feel free to use this when contacting a customer. It allows you to explain something thoroughly to them, especially if you’re worried that it’s a confusing topic.
Here’s a great email sample to show you how it works if you’re still unsure:
Dear Mr. Dunkirk,
I have gathered the options that will work best for your current inquiry.
Are you with me so far? I could go into further detail if needed.
Yours,
John Catford
6. Can You See My Point?
The final synonym we want to go through is can you see my point. This is an effective replacement for does that make sense that helps you to be more polite and genuine.
It shows that you’re offering an explanation or trying to share your opinion.
If you’re worried someone might not understand you, a question like this will go a long way.
It’s friendly for the most part. So, you can use it when reaching out to a coworker. It lets them know that you’re doing your best to explain a situation when possible.
So, here’s an example to show you how it works:
Dear Benjamin,
Can you see my point? I’m trying to find the best words to explain this to you.
I’d be happy to talk to you in person if needed.
Yours,
Georgia Dickinson
Is It Correct to Say “Does That Make Sense”?
Does that make sense is correct to say in professional contexts.
It is not rude. But if you use it in the wrong context, it can be condescending. This means that you might insult someone’s intelligence if you use it to try and make fun of them.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn more about how it works:
Dear Roger,
Now that I’ve explained everything, does that make sense?
I’d like to find out whether there’s anything else you need to know.
Best,
Sean Tate
You can also switch the pronoun to it. It means the same thing, but it suggests that you’ve spoken about a specific subject and want to know if your explanation was sufficient.
For example:
Dear Ms. Howard,
I’ve shared all I can with you now. Does it make sense?
If not, please let me know what else I can say.
Yours,
Georgia Washington
You need to use the correct verb form when writing this phrase. If you don’t, you run the risk of making a silly mistake – which could take away from the professionalism of your writing!
Mistake 1: Using makes instead of make
- Correct: Does that make sense?
- Incorrect: Does that makes sense?
Also, sense is the only correct word to use after make here. Since is a common misspelling (due to how the word sounds), but you should avoid it.
Mistake 2: Using since instead of sense
- Correct: Does that make sense?
- Incorrect: Does that make since?
