Let’s communicate
Asking someone to say
something again
— Pardon?
— I'm sorry | didn’t hear / catch what you said.
— Would / Could you say that again, please?
— Would / Could you repeat what you said,
please?
— I'm sorry, what did you say?
— What was that?
Informal: —What was that again ...?
Very informal: —What? / Eh [er]? / Mim?
Checking you have understood
— So, ...
— Does that mean ...?
— Do you mean ...?
— If lunderstand right ...
— I'm not sure | understand. Does
that mean...?
Saying something another way
— In other words,
— That means
— What I mean is
— That's to say .
— ..., or rather .
— What I'm trying to say is ...
— What I'm driving at / getting at is
Giving yourself time to t
— 0h fer /um,
— Let me see / think
=... just a moment,
— You see, ...
— ..., you know,
— How shall | put it?
— 1... Now what's the word
Checking someone has understood you
— Do you know what | mean?
— ... if you see what | mean.
— | hope that's clear.
— Do I make myseif clear?
Informal: — Are you with me?
Get it?
Right?
Very informal: — Got the message ['mesrdg]?
Changing the subject
— .., by the way,
—.., before | forget, ...
— ..,P nearly forgot,
You want to add something
—I'd like to make another point
—I'd also like to say
You need help
— 1 don't understand, I'm sorry.
— I'm not sure | understand what you mean.
— What's the meaning of...2
— What does the word ... mean?
— What’s the French/the English word for
—I didn't hear what you said
[ repeat, please?
say it again, please?
— Can you exolain it again, please?
— Could you spell that word, please?
— Would you | write it on the board, please?
speak louder / up, please?
|_speak more slowly, please?
— Could you stép aside, please? | can’t see
the board.
You want to apologize
— Sorry, I'm late.
— 1 apologize [s'poledsarz] for being late.
— I'm afraid I've forgotten my workbook.
Don’t be dumb
— I'm afraid | don’t know.
— | haven't a clue [klu:].
— I'm afraid | haven't got the faintest /
slightest idea [a'dhza).
m terribly sorry but | haven't understood
the question
= Sorry | don’t know what you mean
— I'm not sure | can answer.
— I've no idea (about) what | am expected
to do.
— I wish I knew.
— | must admit | don’t know much about this
problem.
— I'm sorry but | don’t know what to say.
Showing you're interested
— Uh, uh. (4),
=I see... (7%)
— Really? (7)
— Oh, yes. 7)
— How interesting! (7%)
— | know / see what you mean,