Asking for Repetition — I can ask someone to repeat or speak more slowly when I do not understand.

Why This Skill Matters

People ask others to repeat what they said every day. It is a normal part of talking with someone. When you do not hear or understand something, you can simply ask the person to say it again or speak more slowly. This is not rude — it helps both people understand each other better.

This skill matters in many parts of life — at home, at work, at school, on the phone, and at appointments. The moments below show some common times when you might need to ask someone to repeat.

The big question in this lesson is simple: What can I say when I do not understand someone? In the next sections, you will learn easy words and phrases you can use in many different situations.

Core Ideas for Asking Someone to Repeat

There are a few simple ideas that will help you ask for repetition in a way that feels natural and polite. These ideas guide what you say, when you say it, and how you say it.

How Asking for Repetition Works

When you ask someone to repeat, the conversation usually follows three simple steps. First, the speaker says something you do not understand. Second, you ask them to repeat it or say it more slowly. Third, the speaker says it again, often in a clearer way. The picture below shows these three steps.

Notice that in Step 2, the listener does not just say 'What?' Instead, they say exactly what they missed — the room number. This makes it easy for the speaker to answer quickly. In Step 3, the speaker repeats the room number and adds a helpful detail ('B as in Bravo') to make sure it is clear. These three steps work the same way in most conversations, even though the exact words people use can be different.

Phrases You Can Use

Some requests ask the speaker to repeat everything. Others ask about just one small part. For example, 'Pardon?' asks for everything again. 'Did you say Tuesday or Thursday?' asks about just one part. Asking about one part is often better — it shows you were listening and helps the speaker answer faster.

Four Ways to Ask

There are four simple ways to ask for repetition. 1) Ask for everything again: 'Could you say that again?' 2) Ask about one part: 'You said the meeting is where?' 3) Ask them to slow down or speak louder: 'Could you speak a little more slowly?' 4) Repeat what you heard and check it: 'Did you say three-fifteen or three-fifty?' You can use whichever one fits the moment.

Common Phrases by Situation

Different Places, Different Words

How you ask for repetition depends on where you are and who you are talking to. What works with a friend might not work as well in a classroom or on the phone. The picture below shows some common places and good ways to ask in each one.

Many adult learners worry that asking for repetition makes them look confused or unprepared. In most workplaces and classrooms, the opposite is true — people who ask questions are often seen as careful and engaged. Asking again to make sure you understood is almost always better than guessing and getting it wrong.

Worked Example: Getting Instructions at Work

Let's walk through a real example step by step. This shows how to use the ideas from this lesson — asking right away, being specific, staying polite, and matching the situation.

What Works Well and What to Watch For

Asking for repetition is very helpful, but it also has some limits. Knowing both sides helps you use this skill well.

Building on This Skill

Once you feel comfortable asking someone to repeat, you can try a few more ways to check that you understand. You might ask someone to explain something in a different way, ask for an example, or repeat back what you think they said so they can correct you if you are wrong.

As you practice, you will move naturally from simple requests like 'Could you repeat that?' to fuller check-ins like 'Let me make sure I understood — you want us to change the whole plan?' This growth shows that your listening and speaking skills are getting stronger.

Practice Problems

Lesson Summary