Welcome back to our English language lessons! Today, we’re focusing on a crucial skill for effective communication: clarifying. At a B2 level, you’re likely engaging in more complex conversations, and understanding and being understood is paramount. This lesson will equip you with the tools and phrases you need to ensure clarity in your English conversations.

Why is Clarifying Important in English Conversations?

Imagine this: you’re in a meeting with native English speakers discussing a new project. Someone mentions a key detail, but you’re not entirely sure you understood correctly. Do you:

1. Nod and pretend you understand, hoping it will become clearer later?
2. Interrupt and say “I don’t understand anything!”?
3. Politely ask for clarification to ensure you’re on the same page?

The answer, of course, is option 3! Clarifying in English isn’t about admitting you don’t know something; it’s about being an active and effective communicator. It helps you:

• Avoid misunderstandings: Miscommunication can lead to errors and frustration.
• Show you’re engaged: Asking for clarification demonstrates you’re actively listening and interested.
• Improve comprehension: By clarifying, you actively learn and deepen your understanding of spoken English.
• Speak with confidence: Knowing you can clarify anything you don’t understand boosts your speaking confidence.

For B2 level learners, mastering asking for clarification is a significant step towards fluency and confident English conversation skills.

Understanding the Nuances of Clarifying

Clarifying in English goes beyond simply saying “I don’t understand.” It involves using specific phrases and techniques to pinpoint exactly what you need more information on. Think of it as a polite and strategic way to guide the conversation and ensure clear communication.

Effective clarification is a key communication strategy in any language, but especially when learning English, as accents, idioms, and rapid speech can sometimes be challenging. Learning how to clarify effectively will significantly improve your ability to understand English speakers in various situations.

Key Phrases for Clarifying in English

Here are some useful phrases you can use to ask for clarification. Practice these and make them your go-to tools for better spoken English practice:

Asking for Repetition

• “Could you say that again, please?”
• “Could you repeat that?”
• “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it one more time?”
• “Pardon?” (Slightly more formal)

Asking for Rephrasing

• “Could you explain that in another way?”
• “Could you put that another way?”
• “What do you mean by…?” (followed by the specific part you didn’t understand)
• “Could you clarify what you mean by…?”

Checking Your Understanding

• “So, if I understand correctly, you’re saying…?” (Then summarise your understanding)
• “Are you saying that…?” (Then state your interpretation as a question)
• “Do you mean…?” (Similar to “Are you saying that…”)
• “Just to be clear, you’re suggesting…?”
• “Let me just check I’ve understood. You mean…?”

Asking for Simpler Language

• “Could you use simpler language, please?”
• “Could you break that down for me?”
• “Could you explain that in simpler terms?”

Showing You Didn’t Hear Clearly

• “Sorry, there was some noise. Could you repeat that?”
• “I’m sorry, the line is a bit bad. Could you say that again?”

Examples of Clarifying in Conversations

Let’s see these phrases in action. Here are a few short dialogues demonstrating how to use clarifying phrases effectively:

Example 1: In a Meeting

Speaker 1: “We need to synergize our efforts and leverage cross-functional teams to achieve optimal outcomes.”
Speaker 2: “Sorry, could you explain that in simpler terms? What exactly do you mean by ‘synergize our efforts’?”
Speaker 1: “Of course. I mean we need to work together more effectively as a team to get the best results.”

Example 2: Ordering Coffee

Barista: “Okay, so that’s a grande, half-caf, soy latte, extra hot, with whip?”
Customer: “Sorry, could you say that again, please? It was a bit fast.”
Barista: “Sure, grande, half-caff, soy latte, extra hot, with whipped cream?”
Customer: “Perfect, thank you!”

Example 3: Discussing Plans

Friend 1: “We should definitely go hiking next week, maybe up to Eagle Peak if the weather holds.”
Friend 2: “Are you saying that you want to go hiking to Eagle Peak next week, weather permitting?”
Friend 1: “Exactly! Would you be interested?”

Example 4: Online Call

Speaker 1: “…and then we need to action the deliverables by EOD Friday.”
Speaker 2: “Sorry, the line is a bit bad. Could you clarify what you mean by ‘action the deliverables by EOD Friday’?”
Speaker 1: “Yes, I mean we need to complete and submit all the required tasks by the end of the day on Friday.”

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s your turn to practice! Complete the following dialogues by choosing the best clarifying phrase from the lists above. Think about the context and what kind of clarification is needed.

1. Speaker 1: “The paradigm shift will necessitate a holistic approach to resource allocation.”
   You: “_________________________ What does ‘paradigm shift’ mean in this context?”
2. Speaker 1: “I told him to bring the thingamajig, you know, the one we used last time.”
   You: “_________________________ I’m not sure which ‘thingamajig’ you mean.”
3. Speaker 1: “So we’re meeting at 7:30, right?”
   You: “_________________________ We’re meeting at 7:30?”
4. Speaker 1: “They’re going to implement the new regulations imminently.”
   You: “_________________________ When you say ‘imminently’, do you mean very soon?”
5. Speaker 1: “And the budget for Q3 is projected to increase by, uh… *mumbles quickly* …twenty-seven point five percent.”
   You: “_________________________ Could you say the percentage again a bit slower?”

Answers to Practice Exercises

1. Possible Answer: “Could you explain that in another way? What does ‘paradigm shift’ mean in this context?”
2. Possible Answer: “Could you put that another way? I’m not sure which ‘thingamajig’ you mean.”
3. Possible Answer: “Just to be clear, we’re meeting at 7:30?” or “Let me just check I’ve understood. We’re meeting at 7:30?” or “So, if I understand correctly, we’re meeting at 7:30?” or “Are you saying that we’re meeting at 7:30?” or “Do you mean we’re meeting at 7:30?”
4. Possible Answer: “Are you saying that when you say ‘imminently’, do you mean very soon?” or “Do you mean when you say ‘imminently’, do you mean very soon?”
5. Possible Answer: “Could you repeat that? Could you say the percentage again a bit slower?” or “Could you say that again, please? Could you say the percentage again a bit slower?”

Practice Clarifying with Lingofrnd

Now that you’ve learned some key phrases and practiced clarifying, it’s time to put these skills into action in real conversations! Lingofrnd.com is your AI spoken English teacher, ready to help you practice asking for clarification and improve your overall spoken English practice. Engage in conversations, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification when you need it, and watch your English conversation skills and confidence grow!

Ready to start practicing right away? Download App and begin your journey to confident and clear English communication today. Mastering clarifying in English is a vital step towards fluent and effective communication. Keep practicing, and you’ll be amazed at how much your understanding and speaking confidence improves!