Asking for Clarification and Repetition

Name: _____________________________ Date: ___________________

Instructions: In a job interview, as in any other conversation, you might find yourself in a
situation where you did not hear a question, or did not quite understand what a speaker
meant. In such cases, it is best to not try to guess what they said, but ask the speaker(s) to
clarify or repeat the question.
Watch this video to learn about strategies you can use to ask for clarification of a vague
question politely.
Here are some phrases and sentences you can use if you need more clarification for a question.

Asking for Repetition

Could you please repeat that?
Sorry, what did you say?
I don’t understand you. Could you please say that again?
Would you mind repeating the question so I’m clear on what you are asking?
I didn’t fully understand the question. Would you mind repeating it for me?
Could you please repeat that?
Would you mind going over this again?

Asking for clarification

Could you explain that again a bit slower?
What does … mean? Could you give me an example?
Can you explain that again/differently?
Can you provide an example of that?
I’m afraid I didn’t catch that. Could you explain again?
Does that mean …?
Could you say it in another way?
Can you clarify that for me?
Could you rephrase that?
When you say …, do you mean?
Could you be more specific?
Can you give me an example?
Could you elaborate on that?
Could I get a little bit more clarification on that?

Asking for Clarification and Repetition, continued

1
Expressing lack of understanding
Sorry, I didn’t get your point.
I beg your pardon?
I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand.
If I understand you correctly, you ask ….
I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I understand.
Sorry, I’m not sure I know what you mean.
Sorry, but I don’t quite follow you.
I’m afraid I don’t understand.
Checking your own comprehension
Did you say that ... ?
Did you mean …?
Can I just double check I understood that?
Let me see if I understood you correctly. You are saying that ...
If I understand correctly, you are saying that …
So, what you are saying is that ….
So, in other words, …
Am I correct in saying you are asking me …
Just so I’m clear, you would like to know …?
Can I rephrase what you said as …
So you mean …?
Let me see if I understood correctly.
Showing understanding
I got it! Thank you!
Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.
Now I understand. Thanks!
I see.
I understand.
I got what you mean.
I understand what you mean.
To clarify your own points:
In other words,
Let me clarify that.
To put it another way …
Sorry, let me explain a bit more.
To put it differently,

Asking for Clarification and Repetition, continued

2
Part A
Here are some sentences you can use to ask for clarification or repetition of an interview
question that was not very clear. Rewrite these expressions based on the advice given in the
video to make them more polite.

a. What did you say?

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b. Say that again!

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c. I don’t get it.

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d. I don’t understand.
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e. Please repeat!
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f. I’m not following you.

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g. I don’t follow you.

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h. I didn’t hear what you said.

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i. I don’t get/know what you mean.

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j. I can’t figure out your point.

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k. What was that again?

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