In professional English, there are two distinct requests that multilingual speakers often confuse and using the wrong one can create more confusion, not less.
Asking someone to repeat means you did not hear what was said. Asking someone to clarify means you heard but did not fully understand. These require different phrases, produce different responses, and signal different things.
Repeat vs. Clarify: The Core Difference
Asking to Repeat: Use when the line dropped, there was background noise, someone spoke too fast. The speaker will say the same thing again.
Asking to Clarify: Use when you heard the words but the meaning was unclear, ambiguous, or incomplete. The speaker will expand, explain differently, or give an example.
Phrases for Each Situation
Asking to Repeat
"I'm sorry - I didn't quite catch that. Could you say it again?"
"Apologies - could you repeat that last point? I missed it."
Asking to Clarify
"Could you clarify what you mean by [specific term or phrase]?"
"I want to make sure I've understood correctly: when you say [X], do you mean [interpretation]?"
"Could you give me an example? That would help me apply it correctly."
Quick Reference
| Situation | What You Need | Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Did not hear | Repetition | "I didn't quite catch that: could you say it again?" |
| Heard but did not understand | Clarification | "Could you clarify what you mean by...?" |
| Want to confirm | Confirmation | "So if I've understood correctly, you're saying...?" |
What to Avoid
❌ Using "What?" for either situation - too abrupt for any professional setting
❌ Asking to repeat when you need clarification - wastes everyone's time
❌ Staying silent when you need either - the most expensive option of all
Related Articles
- How to Ask Someone to Repeat Themselves Professionally
- How to Ask for Clarification Without Sounding Stupid
- Business English Phrases for Asking Clarification
- How to Say I Don't Understand in a Professional Way
- How to Confirm Understanding in English Professionally
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Published by Fluentry UK - British English for Multilingual Professionals
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