Clarification & Repair Strategies

Ask for repetition

If you did not hear something clearly, say so directly and politely.

• Sorry, could you say that again?
• Could you repeat the last part?
• I did not quite catch that.

Ask for clarification

Sometimes you heard the words but do not understand the meaning.

• What do you mean by 'flexible' here?
• Could you explain that in another way?
• When you say 'they', who are you referring to?
• Could you give an example?

Check your interpretation

You can test whether you understood correctly before responding.

• So, are you saying that the deadline has changed?
• If I understand you correctly, you think the main problem is cost?
• Do you mean that this only applies to new students?

Repair your own message

Sometimes you notice that your own wording was unclear or inaccurate.

• Let me put that differently.
• That is not quite what I meant.
• What I mean is...
• Let me correct that.

Repair without embarrassment

Needing clarification is not a failure. In effective communication, accuracy matters more than pretending to understand.

Repair strategies often make a conversation clearer for everyone involved.

A: The change only affects external candidates.

B: Sorry, what do you mean by external candidates?

A: People applying from outside the organisation.

B: Right, so current employees are not affected?

A: Exactly.

Speaker B first asks for clarification and then checks the interpretation.

• Did not hear → ask for repetition.
• Heard but did not understand → ask for explanation.
• Unsure about your interpretation → check meaning.
• Realised your own wording was unclear → reformulate.
• Used an incorrect fact or word → correct yourself explicitly.

Pretending to understand

Nodding and saying yes when you are confused can create a larger misunderstanding later.

Repeating the same words louder

If someone does not understand a phrase, saying the exact phrase again more loudly may not help. Rephrase or give an example.

Over-apologising

A short 'Sorry, could you explain that?' is enough. The goal is to solve the communication problem and continue.

Someone says: 'The proposal is viable, but only under certain conditions.' You do not understand the word viable. What is the strongest response?

• A. Yes, exactly.
• B. Could you explain what you mean by 'viable' in this context?
• C. Speak louder.
• D. Change the subject.

Answer: B. It identifies the exact source of confusion and asks for clarification.

• Ask for repetition when you did not hear.
• Ask for clarification when the meaning is unclear.
• Check your interpretation before responding when necessary.
• Repair your own message when it was unclear.
• Good communication includes solving misunderstandings openly.