Expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification

How to express lack of understanding

When you fail to understand what has been said to you you can use these expressions:

• I beg your pardon?
• I beg your pardon, but I don't quite understand.
• I'm not quite sure I know what you mean.
• I'm not quite sure I follow you.
• I don't quite see what you mean.
• I'm not sure I got your point.
• Sorry, I didn't quite hear what you said.
• Sorry, I didn't get your point.
• I don't quite see what you're getting at.

How you ask for clarification

When you don't understand what someone has said, you can ask for clarification using the following expressions:

• What do you mean by...?
• Do you mean...?
• Could you say that again, please?
• Could you repeat please?
• Could you clarify that, please?
• Would you elaborate on that , please?
• Could you be more explicit?
• Could you explain what you mean by...?
• Could you give us an example?
• I wonder if you could say that in a different way.
• Could you put it differently, please?
• Could you be more specific, please?

Clarifying one's point or idea

To clarify your idea you can use the following expressions:

• Let me explain that...
• Let me explain that in more detail...
• Let me put it in another way...
• Sorry let me explain...
• In other words...
• To say this differently...
• To put it differently...