Misunderstanding a conversation can be frustrating, especially when you struggle to find the right words to ask for repetition. Learning alternative phrases to request clarification helps in both casual and professional settings. Instead of always saying “Can you repeat that?”, you can use polite and natural expressions to keep the conversation smooth. In this blog post, you’ll discover various ways to ask someone to restate their words effectively. Expanding your vocabulary will boost your confidence in conversations. Check out more useful words and expressions in our vocabulary category.
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Other Ways to Say CAN YOU REPEAT THAT in English
Effective communication is key in conversations, but sometimes we miss details or need more clarity. Here are polite and natural ways to ask someone to repeat or explain what they said.
Casual Ways to Ask for Repetition
- “I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again?” – Use when you didn’t hear or understand.
- “Sorry, I got lost. Can you go over that again?” – Ask when you need the speaker to slow down or repeat their thoughts.
- “Sorry, my mind wandered. Could you repeat that?” – When you got momentarily distracted.
- “I’m not quite following, can you restate that?” – When the speaker’s point is unclear.
Formal Ways to Request Repetition
- “Pardon me, could you repeat that?” – A polite way to ask for repetition in professional settings.
- “Could you please slow down a bit and repeat what you just said?” – Ideal when the speaker is talking too fast.
- “I apologize for interrupting, but can you go over that once more?” – If you accidentally interrupted.
Ways to Ask for Clarification
- “Would you mind elaborating on that?” – When you need more details or a deeper explanation.
- “Can you please clarify your point?” – If you understand the words but not the meaning.
- “I missed your meaning, can you put it another way?” – If you need a different wording.
- “Could you rephrase that for me?” – When the original explanation was unclear.
- “Could you provide more context for that statement?” – To get additional background information.
How to Ask for a Recap or Breakdown
- “Can you please recap what you just said?” – If you need a summary of the main points.
- “Could you please go back to the part where you said…?” – To clarify a specific section.
- “I’m struggling to grasp that concept. Can you break it down for me?” – For complex topics that need a simpler explanation.
- “Just to make sure I understood, could you please repeat the key points?” – When you want to verify your understanding.
- “Can you give me an example to illustrate your point?” – If you need a practical example.
Specific Requests for Repetition
- “Can you please spell that out for me?” – When you need a term, acronym, or name spelled out.
- “I didn’t quite catch the last part. Can you go over it again?” – If you missed the end of a statement.
- “Sorry, I’m a bit lost. Can we backtrack for a moment?” – If you need the speaker to return to an earlier point.
Using these polite and effective phrases will help you navigate conversations smoothly and ensure better understanding and communication in any setting.
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