We’ve all been there: You ask a question, and instead of getting the answer you need, you’re met with a response that veers off track or doesn’t quite hit the mark. It can be frustrating, awkward, or even downright unproductive. But repeating “You didn’t answer my question” over and over isn’t always the best solution—and might come across as confrontational.
Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to address the situation gracefully, assertively, or even diplomatically. Whether you’re navigating a professional discussion, a friendly chat, or a tense negotiation, knowing the right words to use can make all the difference.
In this article, we’ll explore alternative phrases that help you keep the conversation on track while maintaining clarity and respect. Read on to discover how to express yourself more effectively and get the answers you’re looking for.
Top List Of Other Ways to Say “You Didn’t Answer My Question”
- “I’m Not Sure You Addressed My Point”
- “I Was Hoping for More Specifics”
- “Can You Clarify That for Me?”
- “That Answer Didn’t Quite Address What I Asked”
- “I Think We Might Be on Different Pages”
- “Could You Expand on Your Response?”
- “I Need a Bit More Detail on That”
- “I’m Not Sure That’s What I Was Asking”
- “Could You Elaborate on That?”
- “That Response Is a Bit Vague”
- “I Don’t Think That Fully Answers My Question”
- “Could You Be More Specific?”
- “That’s Not Quite What I Was Looking For”
- “I Was Expecting More Information”
- “Could You Go Into More Detail?”
- “I’m Still Waiting for an Answer to My Question”
- “I Still Need Some Clarification Regarding [Topic]”
- “I Think We Might Be Talking Past Each Other”
- “That Didn’t Quite Address My Concern”
- “Could You Provide More Specifics on That?”
- “I Don’t Think You Fully Addressed My Inquiry”
- “I’d Like to Revisit My Question”
1. “I’m Not Sure You Addressed My Point”
Sometimes, a response might contain useful information but miss the essence of the original question. By pointing out that the point hasn’t been fully addressed, you give the person a chance to clarify.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Clarification Request
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your response! However, I’m not sure you addressed my point about the budget adjustments for Q4. Could you clarify your thoughts on how these changes will impact our team’s workload?
Looking forward to your reply.
Best, Henry
Additions:
This phrase works well when you want to gently remind the other person of the original point. It’s polite yet direct, making it effective for follow-up emails or conversations.
2. “I Was Hoping for More Specifics”
This approach gently highlights that the response was either too vague or didn’t provide the depth you were expecting.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for More Detail
Hi Leo,
Thank you for your insights! However, I was hoping for more specifics on the timeline of the new project rollout. Could you provide more details regarding the start and end dates?
Best regards, Henry
Additions:
This phrase shows that you are looking for a clear, detailed answer without sounding accusatory. It prompts the recipient to offer more concrete information.
3. “I Still Don’t Have an Answer to My Query”
This phrase indicates that the original question remains unanswered despite the response. It can be useful when you want to explicitly call attention to this gap.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Follow-up on My Previous Question
Hi Leo,
I appreciate your quick response, but I still don’t have an answer to my query regarding the pricing model for our upcoming product launch. Could you kindly provide clarification on this?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Henry
Additions:
Being straightforward can sometimes be necessary, especially when you need an answer to proceed with your work. This phrase maintains professionalism while emphasizing the need for clarity.
4. “It Seems Like You Missed My Question”
This is a more informal way of saying that the person didn’t address your inquiry directly. It’s useful for light, less formal exchanges.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Clarification Needed
Hey Leo,
Thanks for your email, but it seems like you missed my question about the deadline extension. Can you let me know if there’s any flexibility with that?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This expression works well in casual conversations and can help reframe the issue without sounding confrontational. It invites the recipient to re-examine their response.
5. “Could You Please Clarify Your Answer?”
When you need a more in-depth response, asking for clarification can prompt the person to provide further details.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Need Further Clarification
Hi Leo,
Thank you for your response. Could you please clarify your answer regarding the team’s involvement in the next phase? I need more details to understand how we should proceed.
Kind regards, Henry
Additions:
This polite phrasing encourages a more thoughtful response and conveys that you are genuinely interested in getting a clearer understanding.
6. “I Don’t Think You Fully Answered My Question”
This phrase is direct but maintains respect, and it works well when you feel that a response was incomplete.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for Further Explanation
Hi Leo,
I don’t think you fully answered my question about the marketing strategy. Could you elaborate on the approaches you plan to implement to attract a younger demographic?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This phrasing works well in a formal setting, where clarity is critical. It’s direct enough to ensure your point is clear while still being polite.
7. “I Was Looking for More Insight on [Specific Topic]”
If you feel that the response lacked depth, this phrase allows you to redirect the conversation toward the specifics you need.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Follow-up Request
Hi Leo,
I was looking for more insight on how we plan to track the success of the new product launch. Could you provide some specific metrics or tools we’ll be using?
Looking forward to your reply, Henry
Additions:
This phrase works great when you need to focus on a particular area of a discussion. It helps keep the conversation on track.
8. “I Believe My Original Question Was Overlooked”
A polite but assertive way of indicating that the question wasn’t addressed.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Missing Information
Hi Leo,
Thank you for the email. However, I believe my original question about the team’s resources for the upcoming quarter was overlooked. Could you kindly provide a response to that?
Best regards, Henry
Additions:
This expression is appropriate for situations where it’s clear that the question wasn’t even acknowledged in the first reply. It can gently nudge the recipient to revisit your inquiry.
9. “Could You Address My Concern Regarding [Specific Issue]?”
This phrase helps you steer the conversation back to the specific point you wanted to discuss.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for Addressing Concern
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your response. However, could you address my concern regarding the shipping delays? I need more information on how this will affect our delivery schedules.
Best, Henry
Additions:
A direct request like this highlights the topic of concern and helps refocus the conversation. It’s useful when the discussion has veered off course.
10. “I Was Expecting a More Detailed Response”
This expression calls for more thorough information, signaling that the answer you received was too brief.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for More Details
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your input! However, I was expecting a more detailed response to my question about the employee engagement survey. Could you provide a more in-depth explanation?
Kind regards, Henry
Additions:
This phrasing works when you need a more elaborate response. It indicates your need for more information while maintaining respect.
11. “I Didn’t Receive the Information I Asked For”
A straightforward way to communicate that the response was lacking the necessary information.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Missing Information
Hi Leo,
I didn’t receive the information I asked for in my previous email regarding the project timeline. Could you send me the full schedule when you get a chance?
Best regards, Henry
Additions:
This direct approach is effective in cases where the reply didn’t address your specific request, allowing for clarity without being confrontational.
12. “I’m Still Unclear About Your Response”
When you’re not sure what the person means or how their answer relates to your question, this phrase can prompt further explanation.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Follow-up on Previous Inquiry
Hi Leo,
I appreciate your response, but I’m still unclear about your thoughts on the upcoming team restructuring. Could you provide further clarification on how this will affect our current roles?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This expression indicates that the response wasn’t fully helpful and invites a more detailed explanation.
13. “Can You Go Into More Detail on [Topic]?”
When you need more thorough information about a specific subject, this phrase helps direct the response.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for More Information
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your email. Can you go into more detail on the new software you mentioned? I’d like to understand how it will integrate with our existing systems.
Best regards, Henry
Additions:
This approach is polite yet requests a deeper level of detail. It’s effective when you need to explore a subject in greater depth.
14. “I Think I Need More Information About [Topic]”
This phrase communicates that while the response was helpful, more information is required to fully answer your question.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Additional Details Needed
Hi Leo,
I think I need more information about the timeline for the product development phase. Could you provide further details on the key milestones?
Looking forward to your response, Henry
Additions:
It gently suggests that additional clarification is needed, making it ideal when you don’t want to sound demanding but still want more comprehensive answers.
15. “I Would Appreciate a More Direct Answer”
When you want the other person to provide a response that directly answers your question, this is an effective phrase.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for Direct Answer
Hi Leo,
I would appreciate a more direct answer to my question about the financial implications of the new policy. Could you clarify whether the budget will be adjusted accordingly?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This phrase is assertive yet polite, which is especially useful in professional settings where clarity is critical.
16. “Your Response Doesn’t Quite Address What I Asked”
A polite way to express that the answer wasn’t fully on point.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Clarification Needed
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your reply! However, your response doesn’t quite address what I asked regarding the long-term goals of the project. Could you provide some more specifics on this?
Kind regards, Henry
Additions:
This approach suggests that the reply may have been off-topic, prompting the recipient to focus on the original question.
17. “I Still Need Some Clarification Regarding [Topic]”
When you need a more refined explanation, this phrase asks for the details that were missing.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Follow-Up on Clarification
Hi Leo,
I still need some clarification regarding the new software integration process. Could you explain what steps are involved in making it compatible with our existing system?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This polite phrasing indicates that your question remains unanswered and invites further elaboration.
18. “I Think We Might Be Talking Past Each Other”
When you believe the conversation is veering off the intended path, this phrase suggests a miscommunication without sounding rude.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Let’s Clear Up Any Confusion
Hi Leo,
I think we might be talking past each other. I was asking about the marketing plan for Q4, and it seems like the focus shifted to customer outreach. Can we refocus on the initial question?
Best regards, Henry
Additions:
This phrase is helpful when you feel that both parties may be misunderstanding each other, helping realign the conversation without causing frustration.
19. “That Didn’t Quite Address My Concern”
A polite way to indicate that the response didn’t touch on the core of the issue.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for Further Information
Hi Leo,
Thank you for your reply! However, that didn’t quite address my concern about the team’s involvement in the upcoming project phase. Could you provide more details on their specific roles?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This approach invites a response that focuses on the specific concern, keeping the conversation respectful and constructive.
20. “Could You Provide More Specifics on That?”
This simple, direct request helps encourage the other person to dive deeper into the topic at hand.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Request for Specific Details
Hi Leo,
Could you provide more specifics on the timeline for the software rollout? It would be helpful to understand the exact dates and any potential delays.
Best, Henry
Additions:
This straightforward phrase works well in emails or meetings where you need the person to clarify their initial, vague response.
21. “I Don’t Think You Fully Addressed My Inquiry”
This is a formal way to point out that the original inquiry hasn’t been properly answered.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Inquiry Follow-Up
Hi Leo,
Thank you for your response! However, I don’t think you fully addressed my inquiry about the logistics of the upcoming trade show. Could you provide more details on how we’re handling transportation?
Best, Henry
Additions:
This phrase can be used in formal settings where you want to maintain a professional tone while requesting clarification.
22. “I’d Like to Revisit My Question”
This phrase politely asks for another opportunity to address the original question.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Revisiting My Query
Hi Leo,
I’d like to revisit my question about the marketing budget for next quarter. Could you please provide a more detailed breakdown of the projected costs?
Looking forward to your response, Henry
Additions:
This phrasing is ideal for situations where a more thorough review of your question is needed. It allows you to stay on topic while being polite and professional.
