Asking Questions

Asking Questions

When you can’t understand someone:

I’m sorry. Could you repeat that, please?

I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. Could you please say that again slowly?

Did you say X or Y?

Could you say that again, please?

Could you please repeat that?

I’m sorry. I don’t understand what ________ means.

Pardon?

Excuse me?

What was that again?

Asking for clarification:

What do you mean (by that)?

What are you saying?

Could you clarify that?

Clarifying another’s ideas:

Do you mean …

So, what you mean is …

So, what you’re saying is …

I think what s/he means is …

If I understand you correctly, what you’re saying is …

If I’m hearing you correctly,

So, you think that …

So, your idea is …

Clarifying your own ideas:

In other words,

What I mean is …

What I’m trying to say is …

What I wanted to say was …

To clarify …