TO EXPRESS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING & ASK FOR CLARIFICATION

Indicate phrases and expressions used for checking for understanding.

• Are you following me?

• What do you mean?

• Do you understand what I mean?

• Do you understand what I’m saying?

Indicate phrases and expressions used for expressing lack of understanding.

• I don’t quite follow you.

• I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you mean.

• I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand.

• Let me clarify it for you…

Indicate phrases and expressions used for asking for clarification.

• Could you explain that, please?

• Let me put it in another way…

• What do you mean by that?

• Could you say that again, please?

Indicate phrases and expressions used clarifying.

• Let me clarify it for you…

• To put it differently…

• Let me put it in another way…

• Ok, I got what you mean.

Indicate phrases and expressions used showing understanding.

• I understand.

• I understand what you mean.

• I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand.

• Ok, I got what you mean.

After you express your lack of understanding, the next step is to ask the person to clarify what they have said.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Read the text below and indicate the expressions.

I’m sorry but I’m not sure I understand. When you say workers are on furlough, do you mean they’re temporarily laid off from work?

• expressing lack of understanding

• asking for clarification

• expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification

Read the text below and indicate the expressions.

Sorry but I don’t quite follow what you’re saying about the new policy. Could you be more specific about gift card restrictions?

• expressing lack of understanding

• asking for clarification

• expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification

Read the text below and indicate the expressions.

Let me see if I understood you correctly. You’re saying that airport security workers are now working without pay?

• confirming understanding

• asking for clarification

• expressing lack of understanding

Read the text below and indicate the expressions.

If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that airport security workers are now working without pay?

• confirming understanding

• asking for clarification

• expressing lack of understanding