Vocabulary
6 key words for this lesson
CLARIFY
To make something easier to understand.
The manager sent an email to clarify the schedule.
CONFIRM
To check or make sure that something is correct.
The assistant confirmed the booking by phone.
CONFUSING
Hard to understand; not clear.
I found the report structure a bit confusing.
REPHRASE
To say or write something in a different way.
Could you rephrase the question?
ENSURE
To make sure that something happens or is correct.
We want to ensure everyone understands the plan.
COMPREHENSION
The ability to understand something.
Listening practice improves comprehension.
Phrases
7 phrases and their meanings
Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
Ask someone to say something again, politely.
"Sorry, could you repeat that, please? I missed the last part."
Could you explain what you mean by…?
Ask about a specific word or idea.
"Could you explain what you mean by 'phase two'?"
Just to clarify, …
Introduce a question that checks a detail.
"Just to clarify, is the budget per month or per year?"
I'm not sure I follow.
Say you are confused, in a polite way.
"Sorry, I'm not sure I follow. Why do we need a new supplier?"
So what you're saying is…
Rephrase or summarize what someone said.
"So what you're saying is we should wait until June?"
Let me make sure I got that right.
Double-check details.
"Let me make sure I got that right: room 4B, 10 a.m., Thursday."
Thanks, that makes more sense now.
Show you understand after the explanation.
"Ah, okay. Thanks, that makes more sense now."
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“"I'm not sure I follow" is softer than "I don't understand you". It puts the problem on you, not the speaker.”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Kira
TimSo for the new system, we'll run phase one in parallel, then do a soft launch before the hard switch.
Sorry, I'm not sure I follow. Could you explain what you mean by 'in parallel'?
Of course. I'll rephrase. We use the old system and the new system at the same time for two weeks.
Ah, I see. Just to clarify, the 'soft launch' means only some teams use it?
Exactly. Sales and support first. Sorry, my explanation was a bit confusing.
No problem. So what you're saying is: two weeks with both systems, then only sales and support, then everyone?
That's it. I want to ensure everyone is comfortable before the full switch.
Thanks, that makes more sense now. Can you confirm the start date by email?
Sure, I'll send it after lunch.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
Sorry, I'm not sure I— — —.
Sentence 2
Could you explain what you— — —by 'phase two'?
Sentence 3
Just to— — —, is the meeting on Thursday?
Sentence 4
So what you're— — —is we need more time?
Sentence 5
Let me make sure I got that— — —.
Sentence 6
Thanks, that makes more— — —now.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Which phrase is the most polite way to say you don't understand?
2.You don't know one word. What do you ask?
3.What does "rephrase" mean?
4.Which phrase double-checks details?
5.In the dialogue, what does 'in parallel' mean?
6.Which teams will use the system first?