In work emails and writing, it’s sometimes necessary to point out when something is unclear or illogical. Many people often use the phrase “doesn’t make sense” to do this. However, in professional settings, this can sound too direct or negative. It’s useful to know more polite and professional ways to express this idea. Using better words can help you communicate problems without causing offense or tension.
In this article, we’ll look at professional alternatives to “doesn’t make sense” for use in work emails and documents. These phrases can help you give feedback or ask for clarification in a respectful way. By using these alternatives, you can improve your workplace communication and maintain good relationships with colleagues.
1. Is unclear
When you say something “is unclear,” you’re pointing out that the information presented is not easy to understand. This could be because the details are not fully explained or the language is too complex. This phrase is useful in professional and academic settings where clarity is crucial.
For example, in a work email, you might write, “The process for submitting our reports is unclear; could you provide more detailed instructions?” By using this phrase, you ask for better clarity in a polite way without being too harsh.
In another case, during a presentation, if a slide has too much data, you might comment, “Your point on the third slide is unclear. Could you break down the numbers for us?” This prompts the presenter to simplify the information, making it more accessible to the audience.
2. Lacks clarity
When you say something “lacks clarity,” you’re pointing out that the information isn’t easy to understand. This could mean that the message is complex, the details are muddled, or the explanation is incomplete. Use this phrase to respectfully suggest that more information or simplification is needed.
For example, in an email, you might write, “Your proposal lacks clarity in the third section regarding the project timeline. Could you provide more specifics?” This indicates that you need additional details to fully grasp the concept.
In conversations, you might say, “Your explanation lacks clarity. Can we go over the main points again?” By doing so, you’re asking for a clearer breakdown of information without being dismissive. It’s a professional and constructive way to request better understanding.
3. Is confusing
When you say something “is confusing,” you’re expressing that it’s not easy to understand. This phrase can be used when you’re having trouble making sense of information or instructions. For example, in an email to a colleague, you might write, “Your explanation of the new process is confusing; could you provide more details or examples?” Here, you’re respectfully asking for clarity.
Use this phrase to communicate a need for simpler or clearer information. If you’re in a meeting and a presentation has too many complex ideas, you could say, “The data presented is confusing; can we break it down into more digestible parts?” This helps to encourage a more straightforward approach to complex subjects.
4. Seems inconsistent
When you’re assessing a plan or argument, and the pieces don’t fit well together, you might express this by saying it “seems inconsistent.” This phrase hints at a lack of steady logic or uniformity within the information presented. It’s like looking at a puzzle where the pieces are from different sets; they just don’t match up right.
For example, in a business email, you could write, “After reviewing the quarterly report, some numbers seem inconsistent with our expectations. Could you please explain these discrepancies?” Using “seems inconsistent” in this way shows that you’ve noticed something that might not be correct, without being too direct or confrontational.
5. Is hard to follow
When you say something “is hard to follow,” you express that the information or argument presented is difficult to understand because of its complexity or the way it’s delivered. It’s an excellent phrase to use when you feel the details or the logic jumps in a conversation or a piece of writing are not connecting well.
For example, in an email, you might write, “Your explanation of the new policy is hard to follow. Could you outline the main points in a simpler way?” This tells the reader that they need to clarify their message for better understanding.
In another case, you might use it to give feedback on a presentation, saying, “The data analysis section was hard to follow. We might need to reorganize the facts for a clearer understanding.” Here, you’re not just highlighting a problem but also suggesting a potential solution.
6. Is not straightforward
When you describe something as not straightforward, you’re saying it’s not easy to understand or explain. This phrase suggests there are many layers or aspects that complicate the matter. It’s a tactful way to express that an idea or explanation lacks clarity without being too harsh.
In emails, you could write, “The instructions you provided are not straightforward; could you clarify the steps I need to take?” This politely asks for more information. In discussions, saying, “Your proposal is not straightforward,” invites the other person to give more details or simplify the concept.
7. Is puzzling
When you say something “is puzzling,” you express that it’s confusing or not easy to understand. This term is quite useful when discussing a topic that leaves you with more questions than answers. It’s a respectful way to communicate that you’re having trouble making sense of information or someone’s point of view.
For example, in an email, you might write, “The new policy you forwarded to me is puzzling. Could you explain the reasoning behind it?” This prompts the recipient to clarify things without sounding harsh. Using “is puzzling” shows your willingness to understand, yet signifies that something is not immediately clear to you. It’s effective in maintaining a polite tone while addressing something that doesn’t line up with your knowledge or expectations.
8. Is not straightforward
When you say an idea “is not straightforward,” you’re noting that it’s not easy to understand. This phrase can be useful when you’re dealing with complex information or concepts. It suggests that the message could be clearer or more direct.
In an email, you might write, “Your project proposal is not straightforward, and I had trouble following the logic. Could you clarify your main points?” This is a polite way to ask for more information or a simpler explanation.
Using this phrase in the workplace helps you communicate that you need things to be more clear without being too harsh. It’s a way to express your need for clarity without offending the other person.
9. Is ambiguous
The phrase “is ambiguous” means something is not clear or is open to more than one interpretation. You might find that a statement or piece of writing is ambiguous if the language used is vague or the overall message is uncertain. In your emails, it’s important to avoid ambiguity to prevent confusion.
For example, if you receive a set of instructions that are not clear, you could respond with, “Your last message is ambiguous, could you provide more detail?” This indicates you need additional information to understand fully. In a workplace setting, clarity is critical.
You could advise a colleague, “The objectives you’ve outlined are ambiguous; specifying key goals might help us focus our efforts more effectively.” Using “is ambiguous” in your communication demonstrates a need for precision and greater clarity without appearing confrontational.
10. Is not aligned with the facts
When you say something “is not aligned with the facts,” you’re noting that it doesn’t line up with the known information or evidence. It’s a way to point out discrepancies without coming across as too harsh.
For instance, you might find yourself in a meeting where a colleague presents data that conflicts with recent research. You might say, “Your proposal is interesting, but it’s not aligned with the facts from the latest studies.” This phrase serves as a subtle nudge to re-examine the data or assumptions.
In another scenario, if you’re discussing plans and someone’s idea seems off-base, you could write in an email, “While I appreciate the creativity of your suggestion, I’m concerned it isn’t aligned with the facts we have about our customer demographics.” This approach asserts your stance firmly yet respectfully.
11. Is perplexing
When you find something difficult to understand or it’s puzzling, you can say it’s perplexing. This word suggests that the problem or situation has many parts that are hard to put together. It’s like having a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that don’t seem to fit.
For instance, in an email, you might write, “The instructions you sent are perplexing, and I need some clarification to proceed.” In the workplace, you could use the phrase to describe a complex issue: “The sudden drop in sales this quarter is perplexing and requires further analysis.”
Using ‘is perplexing’ conveys your confusion without being rude. It shows that you’re facing a challenge but are willing to figure it out.
12. Is illogical
When you say something is illogical, you’re pointing out that it doesn’t follow clear reasoning or common sense. This phrase is useful in discussions where you’re challenging the soundness of an argument or the validity of a statement. For example, in a meeting, you might say, “This plan is illogical; it doesn’t factor in the key constraints we discussed earlier.” This expresses that you find the plan unreasonable without using harsh language.
In emails, you might use the phrase to politely disagree with a proposal: “While I appreciate the innovative approach, the current strategy seems illogical given our company’s goals.” This way, you convey your perspective without causing offense and maintain a tone of willing collaboration. Use this term when you want to sound confident and thoughtful in pointing out a lapse in logic.
Conclusion
Using different ways to say “doesn’t make sense” can improve your work emails and writing. These new phrases help you point out problems or confusion in a polite and professional way. They show that you’re thinking carefully about the work and want to make things clear. By changing your words, you can avoid sounding too negative or critical. This is important for good teamwork and communication at work.
Try using some of these alternatives in your next email or report. You might find that people respond better to your feedback. With practice, you’ll become better at choosing the right words for each situation. This can lead to better understanding among coworkers and smoother projects. Remember, clear and respectful communication helps everyone work better together.
