Asking for clarification is one of the most useful skills in workplace English, and one of the most feared. Many people pretend to understand so they do not slow anyone down, which usually leads to rework. Asking well shows care, not weak English.
When you did not hear properly
- "Sorry, I missed the last part. Could you repeat that?"
- "Could you say that again, please?"
- "The audio cut out for a moment. What was the last point?"
Naming what you missed ("the last part") is better than a bare "what?", because the other person knows exactly what to repeat.
When you heard it but did not understand
- "Could you clarify what you mean by "alignment"?"
- "Could you give me an example?"
- "Could you walk me through that?"
- "Do you mean the new design or the old one?"
Repeat the specific word or expression that caused the doubt. It shows you followed the rest.
Confirming what you understood
- "Just to make sure I understand: you want the report by Monday?"
- "So, if I understand correctly, I'll send the draft first and then we review it together."
- "Let me repeat that back to check."
Instead of risking a long sentence, say back what you understood in a short one and let the other person correct you.
Asking for more time
- "Give me a moment to think about that."
- "Can I get back to you on that after the meeting?"
- "I'd like to check with my team first."
Practicing
Think about the last time you did not understand something in English. Which word or phrase was it? Writing down these real moments is the best starting point for choosing what to study.
In Daylingo you paste your own text, such as a conversation, a transcript or notes you have permission to use, and get a lesson with the most useful expressions, exercises and flashcards to review. The lesson starts from what you need, not from a standard plan.