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UNIT 2: FUNCTIONS

Expressing lack of understanding and asking for


clarification

James: Hello Mr. Paul.


Paul: Hello, how are you?
James: I am good. I have just met Hamza, and I feel a bit confused.
Paul: I am not quite sure I know what you mean.
James: well! He was telling me a funny joke but I didn’t get it so I had to laugh so he won’t feel
bad. He said: “a horse enters a bar he wasn’t able to communicate with anyone so
he just stood there”
Paul: I am not sure I got the joke.
James: Exactly! Sometimes he is so silly.
Paul: Could you explain what you mean by silly?
James: I mean his jokes aren’t funny they are just statements.

Show lack of understanding Ask for clarification

• I beg your pardon. • What do you mean by…?


• I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite • Do you mean…?
understand. • Could you say that again, please?
• I’m not quite sure I know what you • Could you repeat it, please?
mean. • Could you clarify that please?
• I’m not quite sure I follow you. • Would you elaborate on that, please?
• I don’t quite see what you mean. • Could you be more explicit?
• I’m not sure I got your point. • Could you explain what you mean
• Sorry, I didn’t quite hear what you said. by…?
• Sorry, I didn’t get your point. • Could you give us an example?
• I don’t quite see what you’re getting at. • I wonder if you could say that in a
different way.
• Could you put it differently, please?
• Could you be more specific, please?

Respond to the following situations:

• You didn't hear well your teacher's explanation. (Express lack of understanding)

____________________________________________________________________________________

• Your teacher's question is not clear enough. (Ask for clarification)

____________________________________________________________________________________

• Your doctor is telling you what food to avoid eating. (Ask for clarification)

____________________________________________________________________________________

• Your friend is showing you how to download an application from the internet. (Express
lack of understanding)

____________________________________________________________________________________

• You didn't grasp the word "witty” when the teacher explained it. (Ask for clarification)

____________________________________________________________________________________

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