❖ Unit 2 ❖ Humour ❖ Functions ❖

Lack of Understanding & Asking for Clarification

Two essential conversation skills: politely signalling that you didn't catch something, and asking for a clearer explanation. Plus a small section on expressing requests.

Expressing lack of understanding

Use one of these phrases when you didn't catch what someone said:

Sorry, I don't understand.
Sorry, I didn't get / grasp your point.
Sorry, I didn't hear what you said.
I'm not sure I follow you.
I'm not sure I know what you mean.
I don't see what you're getting at.
I beg your pardon?
Could you say that again?
Can you repeat, please?

Asking for clarification

When you understand the words but not the meaning, use:

What do you mean by …?
Do you mean …?
What do you mean?
Could you clarify that please?
Could you explain more?
Would you elaborate on that please?
Could you be more explicit?
Could you say that in a different way?
Could you possibly give an example?

Expressing a request

Making a request

Could you …, please?
Would you mind + V-ing?
Can I ask you to …?
I was wondering if you could …
Do you think you could …?

Accepting / Declining

Accepting: Sure / Of course / Certainly / No problem / With pleasure.
Declining: I'm afraid I can't / I'd love to but … / Sorry, I'm busy right now / Sorry, I'd rather not.

Practice 1 — Reformulate

Express the same function in a different way

Teacher, sorry I didn't get your point. → Sorry, I'm not sure I follow you, sir.
Could you be more explicit please? → Could you clarify that, please?
What do you mean by "lack of understanding"? → Could you explain "lack of understanding" please?
I'm not sure I follow you. → Sorry, I don't understand what you mean.
Could you explain more? → Would you elaborate on that, please?

Practice 2 — Respond to situations

Use the right function for each situation

You didn't hear well your teacher's explanation. (Express lack of understanding) → "Sorry sir, I didn't hear what you said. Could you say that again, please?"
Your teacher's question is not clear enough. (Ask for clarification) → "Could you clarify the question, please? I'm not sure what you mean."
Your doctor is telling you what food to avoid eating. (Ask for clarification) → "Could you possibly give an example of food I should avoid, doctor?"
Your friend is showing you how to download an application. (Express lack of understanding) → "Sorry, I'm not sure I follow you. Could you show me step by step?"
You didn't grasp the word "witty". (Ask for clarification) → "What do you mean by 'witty'? Could you explain more?"

Practice 3 — Complete the conversations

Sample complete dialogues

Student: Could you please correct my paper, sir? I'd really appreciate your feedback.

Teacher: Of course, with pleasure. Leave it on my desk and I'll have it ready by tomorrow.

Tourist: Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the post office, please?

You: I'm really sorry, I don't know this area very well. You might want to ask at the café over there.

You: Would you mind lending me 200 dirhams? I'll pay you back this weekend.

Friend: Sure, no problem. Just take it.

You: Could you help me with the homework? It's really difficult.

Friend: I'd love to but I'm very busy right now. Maybe tomorrow?

❖ Key Takeaways ❖

① Two distinct functions

Lack of understanding = "I didn't hear / I didn't get it." vs Clarification = "I heard but I don't understand the meaning."

② Always be polite

Add "please", "sorry", "could you". Direct phrases sound rude.

③ Requests have 3 parts

Polite opening + the request + a reason. "Could you help me with this exercise, please? I really don't understand it."

❖ Exam tip

The National Exam often gives a dialogue with instructions in brackets, e.g. (complain about the bed) or (ask for clarification). Always start with a polite phrase and add a justifying detail.