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This article will be useful, no doubt, for all learners of English. Do you know what is the most requested phrase for foreign language learners? That's right, "I don't understand." Well, let's say you know how to express your incomprehension. And how to be further? How to ask again? Or ask for clarification? We decided to help you and provided for the most possible scenarios. We hope they help you!
How to ask again?
Table 1. How to ask again in English.
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I run your pardon? |
Sorry? (Usually used when you thought someone said something mean or hurtful) |
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Excuse me? |
Sorry? |
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This is confusing, I don't really see what you're getting at. |
I'm confused, I don't understand what you are leading to. |
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I'm sorry but I don't understand . |
I'm sorry, but I don't understand. |
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I don't quite understand you. |
I didn't quite understand you. |
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I don't understand you very well . |
I don't understand you very well. |
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I don't really understand what you mean . |
I don't quite understand what you mean. |
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I don't understand a single word of it. |
I don't understand a word. |
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What I don't understand is why he decided to do that just the other day? |
What I don't understand is why he decided to do this just the other day. |
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I don't follow you . |
I do not understand you. |
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I don't get it ! |
I don't understand! |
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I'm completely lost! |
I'm completely confused! |
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I'm totally confused! |
I'm completely confused! |
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I am a little bit puzzled. |
I'm a little confused. |
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I'm afraid it's beyond my understanding! |
I'm afraid it's beyond my understanding. |
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I'm sorry but it's too vague. |
I'm sorry, but this is too vague. |
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I'm sorry but I don't see the point. |
I'm sorry, but I don't understand the meaning. |
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I'm sorry but I don't follow your train of thoughts. |
I'm sorry, but I can't follow your train of thought. |
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What puzzles me is the way the committee decided to select a winner. |
What I don't understand is how the committee decided to choose the winner. |
How to ask for clarification?
Table 2. How to ask for an explanation in English.
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What do you mean ? |
What do you have in mind? |
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What's that supposed to mean? |
And what does it mean? |
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What does he mean by this phrase? |
What does he mean by this phrase? |
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What's the meaning of that word? |
What is the meaning of this word? |
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Would you be more specific? |
You do not specify? |
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What are you aiming at ? |
Where are you leading? |
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I don't see what you're driving at . |
I don't understand what you want to say. |
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Could you explain it in detail please? |
Could you please explain in detail? |
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Could you clarify this point, please? |
Could you clarify this point, please? |
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Could you write that down for me, please? |
Could you write this for me? |
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I'm a bit confused. Would you mind explaining that? |
I'm a little confused. Could you please explain? |
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Can you start again please, it was too quick. |
Could you start again? It was too fast. |
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Can you repeat please? |
Could you repeat, please? |
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Can you speak up please? |
Would you speak louder, please? |
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Does that mean that you failed to explain her behavior? |
Does this mean that you failed to explain her behavior? |
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Just to check that I haven't misunderstood anything: was the answer yes or no? |
Just to check that I understood everything correctly: the answer is yes or no? |
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So, in other words, are you saying that we won't be able to offer better conditions to our customers? |
That is, in other words, you want to show that we cannot offer our clients better conditions? |
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I'm afraid my English is not very good. Could you say that again more slowly, please? |
I'm afraid my English is not very good. Could you say it again, but more slowly? |
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Sorry, I didn't understand that word. Could you spell it for me, please? |
Sorry, I didn't understand this word. Could you spell it? |
