How to politely explain to someone that their lack of clarity is due to their ignorance?

Question

I've been in an inconvenient situation where I ask a question and there's a comment suggestion that it's unclear, vague, off-topic, pointless, etc.

Usually, I try to apprehend that by a disclaimer but on occasion, I trust in people's capability too much. Also, it's hard to make up for when people don't read or disregard a disclaimer.

Disclaimer here. For treatability of the issue, please assume that the question asked is clear, polite, of sufficient quality and that the research and such have been carried out according to the standards. This particular issue I'm stating here is strictly about the about the recipient being at fault.

Example

- Why is X doing Y?
...
- X can't be doing Y.
- We've never seen that.
- Question is wrong and off-topic.
- Did you try googling it?

Now, here I realize that the replier isn't aware of the complexity of the issue. Or, perhaps, they don't know a good answer and assume that there isn't one. Etc...

I've tried to explain to such users that they're ignorant of the issue (pointing out that so am I) and that we should hope that someone else with more knowledge on the subject may share it with us.

For some reason, it sometimes leads to the person being insulted and/or aggrieved. Twice I got a user banned for the reaction to such reply. Not rarely it's taken as confrontative and even hostile.

Let's assume that the person isn't an ass and isn't having a bad day. Let's assume that it is what I say and/or how I say it that is perceived to be a trigger for that.

How could one point out that someone is:

• replying outside the context of the original question
• not contributing to a constructive exchange of ideas
• using the pronoun we to gain undeserved legitimacy for the whining
• not competent to understand the complexity and not modest enough to realize it
• assuming stuff from their own, irrelevant experience
• projecting their ignorance and misconceptions onto the matter
• changing the sophisticated and correct contents into grammatically flawed

In a formal and polite way, so that I won't cause any negative reaction (or at least not stimulating such). Preferably - if possible - in a brief way because the comments' length is limited and I prefer not to waste time on lengthy explanations due to social conventions.

Answer 1

Civil discourse rests on the cooperative principle, and any response should rest on the assumption that your interlocutor is following that principle.^† Whatever your private opinion, your public posture should be that an inappropriate or irrelevant Comment derives from a misunderstanding of your Question.

And for that no one can be held responsible but you, the writer. I have written elsewhere on this site about what I call The Adamantine Law of written English: “Anything which can be misunderstood will be.” As a writer you control the discourse you launch, and it is your task to forestall any misunderstanding.

Consequently, the most accurate, effective and courteous response is one which begins with something along the lines of “I see I have not made myself clear.” You may then clarify your meaning or scope or context in whatever way the situation calls for.

And it would be a graceful and responsive conclusion (not to mention a courtesy to all your readers) if you could say at the end of your response that “I have modified my question to reflect this.”

---

^† _{A comment whose diction or tone clearly forbids that assumption may be ignored or flagged, or both—but that is another matter.}

Answer 2

I up-voted StoneyB's answer, as it is well written and I agree with him completely, but I would like to add a couple of observations to it, if you don't mind.

First, my own position is that every sincere question is worthy of a polite, supportive and sincere answer, even those questions that may appear to be off-topic. Whenever I fail to do this myself, I inevitably regret it and usually delete my own answer and up-vote another answer instead.

Second, if I'm understanding you correctly, you regularly take issue with other people's answers and comments, and you want to write something that will correct them without offending anyone. You state above:

"How could one point out that someone is:

• replying outside the context of the original question

• not contributing to a constructive exchange of ideas

• using the pronoun we to gain undeserved legitimacy for the whining

• not competent to understand the complexity and not modest enough to realize it

• assuming stuff from their own, irrelevant experience

• projecting their ignorance and misconceptions onto the matter

• changing the sophisticated and correct contents into grammatically flawed"

This is the root of your problem. It is not your place (or mine) to "point out" the shortcomings of others! It is a simple enough matter to let it go and move on to another question, where your insight and knowledge can be helpful to the original poster. That way, you never have to deal with negative or frustrating responses to what you have posted. This is a place to help people learn English, which is a difficult task for anyone, including native English speakers. If it weren't, those of us who edit (even for clients with Ph.D.s) would be out of work.

Please consider following these two simple suggestions, and your experience here will be much more enjoyable for you and for others as well. Thank you for asking this question, as it raises important issues we all need to think about.

Edited to include the following after receiving relevant comments:

In real life, we often don't get to "move on to the next question." Try saying, "Do I understand correctly that you are saying [whatever ridiculous statement or question belongs here - being sure to use their words whenever possible]?" If they agree, then say, "I hear what you're saying. Are you willing to consider some other options in this case? I have concerns about doing it that way, and I have some alternatives that I would like you to consider. May I share them with you?" It takes tremendous tact to be a good project manager. I admire you for trying to improve your communication skills.