Clarifying / Checking Understanding

Next time you are having a conversation in English, in place of saying, “Sorry, could you repeat that, please?” Why not try rephrasing what you think the other person said? This way at least you are using some different English and also you are able to check your understanding – you never know, you might be right!

Natural phrases to check understanding include

– “So what you are saying is … (rephrase what you think the person said)?”
– “Did you ask me … (rephrase what you think the person said)?”
– “Am I right in thinking that you said …(rephrase what you think the person said)?”

Glossary

rephrase – use different words to say the same thing