Clarifying &Checking
Sorry, do you mean…? · Just to check… · Let me make sure I follow
Your level · You are here
Get Talking · Section 1
5 minStart the conversation
When did you last pretend to understand something in English? What was the cost?
Who in your life speaks too fast or too quietly? What do you wish you could say to them — politely?
What's one thing you wish you could say when someone uses a word you don't know — without saying 'I don't understand'?
Grammar · Section 2
8–10 minIndirect clarification questions + reformulation frames
Don't say 'WHAT?' — say a SOFTENER + a STATEMENT. ('Sorry, did you say…?' / 'So you mean…?')
- Two tools.
- (1) INDIRECT QUESTIONS soften a clarification request: not 'WHAT do you mean?' (blunt) but 'Sorry, COULD YOU EXPLAIN what you mean by…?' or 'Do you mean…?' The pattern is: opener + statement word order. 'Sorry, can I just check — DID YOU SAY Tuesday or Thursday?' (statement order after the opener).
- (2) REFORMULATION shows you've listened and lets the speaker correct you: 'So you're saying [your version]?' / 'If I've understood correctly, [your version].' / 'Just to be clear, [your version] — is that right?' This is the single most useful B2 skill: don't ask 'what?' — try a version and let them correct it.
- When you missed a word or number — 'Sorry, did you say fifteen or fifty?'
- When you didn't catch the whole sentence — 'Sorry, could you say that again?'
- When you understood the words but not the meaning — 'Do you mean…?'
- When you want to confirm you heard right — 'So you're saying…?'
- When a word is new — 'What does X mean in this context?'
e.g. Sorry, did you say Tuesday or Thursday?
Sorry, could you say that again? I missed the last bit.
Just to check — did you say 'fifteen' or 'fifty'?
Do you mean that the meeting's been moved, or cancelled?
So if I've understood correctly, you want me to send the file by Friday?
Sorry, what does 'rolled out' mean in this context?
Not this
What you mean?
Say this
What do you mean?
Or better still: 'Do you mean…?' with your version of their idea — it's faster and shows you were listening.
Memory tip
When confused: REPEAT-BACK is faster than ASK-AGAIN. Try a version; let them correct it.
Natural English
'Sorry' at the start isn't a real apology — it's just a soft opener. Native speakers say it constantly. Don't skip it.
Question 1.Which is MOST POLITE for asking someone to repeat?
Question 2.Which checks a SPECIFIC detail you might have misheard?
Question 3.Which is REFORMULATION (showing you listened)?
Question 4.Which is INCORRECT indirect question order?
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
4.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.A colleague mumbled a number. Which is most natural?
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to learn
Just to check
soft opener before confirming a detail
In context
"Just to check — we're meeting at six, not five?"
Now try it yourself
Use 'just to check' to confirm one thing about today's lesson.
If I've understood correctly
polite frame to reformulate what someone said
In context
"If I've understood correctly, you want me to handle the email myself?"
Now try it yourself
Use this phrase to reformulate something your teacher just said.
Sorry, you've lost me
I followed up to a point and then got confused
In context
"Sorry, you've lost me — at what point did you change jobs?"
Now try it yourself
Tell your teacher about a confusing film using 'you've lost me' in the retelling.
Bear with me
please wait / give me a moment
In context
"Bear with me — I'm just trying to find the right word."
Now try it yourself
Use 'bear with me' while you try to remember a vocab word from earlier.
Hang on a second
informal 'wait, let me catch up'
In context
"Hang on a second — who exactly told you that?"
Now try it yourself
Use 'hang on a second' in a roleplay where the story isn't adding up.
Could you put that another way?
ask for a rephrase
In context
"Sorry, could you put that another way? I don't follow."
Now try it yourself
Ask your teacher to rephrase one sentence from today's reading.
In what sense?
ask for the specific meaning intended
In context
"He said the project is 'finished'. In what sense — abandoned or completed?"
Now try it yourself
Use 'in what sense?' about an ambiguous word your teacher gives you.
Does that make sense?
check the listener has followed YOU
In context
"We're moving the deadline to Friday but keeping the budget — does that make sense?"
Now try it yourself
Explain a small process and end with 'does that make sense?'.
Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.
Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.
Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.
Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.
Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minRising intonation on checks; weak 'to' and 'you'
Clarification questions almost always RISE at the end: 'Did you say Friday↗?' / 'So you mean we should leave↗?' Statements about understanding FALL: 'So you're saying we should leave↘.' Two weak forms: 'to' becomes /tə/ ('just tə check'), and 'you' becomes /jə/ in fast speech ('did jə say…?'). The phrase 'Sorry?' on its own — with a sharp rise — is the universal polite 'please repeat'.
- • Just tə CHECK↗ — did jə say FRIday↗?
- • Sorry, COULD you say that aGAIN↗?
- • So you're SAYing we should postPONE the LAUNCH↗?
- • If I've underSTOOD CORrectly↗, the meeting's at SIX↘.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe polite art of admitting confusion
There's a moment in every conversation in a second language where you stop following — and it almost always comes earlier than you admit. A new word, a fast sentence, an unfamiliar accent, a cultural reference. The instinct is to nod and hope the next sentence will make it clear. It almost never does. By the third sentence, you're lost; by the fifth, you can't go back and ask without losing face.
The most useful skill at B1+ isn't fancier vocabulary — it's the polite habit of admitting confusion early. Native speakers do this all the time, even with each other. 'Sorry, hang on, who are we talking about?' 'Just to check — you mean Tuesday next week, not this week?' 'Sorry, I've completely lost the thread.' These aren't signs of weakness; they're signs of someone who actually wants to follow.
The key technique is to OFFER A VERSION and let the speaker correct it. Instead of 'I don't understand', try: 'So you're saying the meeting's been postponed?' If you've got it right, the conversation moves forward. If you're wrong, the speaker corrects you — and you've learned something specific instead of a vague repeat. This single habit will improve your English faster than any vocabulary list.
The other secret: 'sorry' at the start of a clarification is not really an apology. It's a soft opener. Drop it in front of any question and your interlocutor will hear you as polite, not pushy: 'Sorry, what time did you say?' / 'Sorry, in what sense?' English uses 'sorry' the way some languages use a particle — relentlessly, almost meaninglessly. Use it freely.
Question 1.What does the text call 'the most useful skill at B1+'?
Question 2.What does the text say 'sorry' at the start of a clarification actually is?
Question 3.Why does the text prefer 'offer a version and let the speaker correct it' over saying 'I don't understand'?
Question 4.What does the text imply about the habit of nodding and hoping the next sentence will explain things?
Q1.The text says 'sorry' at the start of a clarification is a real apology.
Q2.The text claims native speakers also clarify with each other all the time.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minA project handover where the listener actually checks
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Marcus:Right, so I'm handing this over to you. The deadline's been pushed back to the fifteenth, but the scope's been broadened to include the Cardiff team.
Priya:Sorry, just to check — the fifteenth of THIS month, or next month?
Marcus:This month. Two weeks from Friday.
Priya:Okay. And when you say the scope's been broadened to include Cardiff — do you mean they're just consulted, or actually delivering part of it?
Marcus:Delivering. They own the data layer now.
Priya:Right, that's a bigger change than I expected. So if I've understood correctly, I'm coordinating with Cardiff for the data work, but they're not reporting to me — they're reporting to Lena?
Marcus:Exactly. You're the project lead, Lena's their line manager.
Priya:Got it. Sorry, one more — you mentioned the budget was 'adjusted'. In what sense? Cut or expanded?
Marcus:Cut. By about fifteen percent.
Priya:Bear with me, I'm just writing this down. Deadline brought forward, scope broader, budget down fifteen, Cardiff doing the data layer, Lena managing them. Does that match your understanding?
Marcus:That's exactly it. Honestly, I wish more people did this — I've handed projects over to people who just nodded and then asked all the same questions in an email three days later.
Priya:Hang on a second — last thing — when do I report to the steering group? Weekly or fortnightly?
Marcus:Fortnightly. Friday afternoons.
Priya:Perfect. I think I've got it. I'll send you the recap by end of play tomorrow — if anything's off, flag it and we'll adjust.
Question 1.Why does Priya check 'the fifteenth of this month, or next month'?
Question 2.What does Marcus reveal when Priya asks 'in what sense — cut or expanded' about the budget?
Question 3.What does Marcus reveal about his past experiences when he says he wishes more people did what Priya is doing?
Question 4.What is the purpose of Priya's final summary — listing deadline, scope, budget, Cardiff, and Lena?
Exam tip · Section 7
5 minSpeaking — Cambridge B1 Preliminary / B2 First, Collaborative Task & Long Turn
Task
In a 3-minute paired task, you must check at least 3 things your partner says before agreeing or moving on. Use 3 different clarification frames ('Just to check…', 'Do you mean…?', 'So if I've understood…') plus 4 lesson phrases. Don't ask 'what?' even once.
Strategy
Examiners reward learners who INTERACT, not just speak. (1) Listen actively — don't plan your next sentence while your partner talks. (2) When something is even slightly ambiguous, check it — examiners notice this and score 'interactive communication' higher. (3) Vary your frames; using 'sorry?' three times sounds limited. (4) Use reformulation ('So you're saying…') to show range. (5) End with a summary check ('Just to be clear — we've agreed on X, Y, Z?').
Example
A: 'I think we should pick the museum option because it's cheaper and educational.' B: 'Sorry, just to check — cheaper than ALL the others, or just the cinema? And when you say educational, in what sense — for kids specifically, or for everyone?' A: 'For everyone, I think. And cheaper than the cinema and the theme park.' B: 'So if I've understood correctly, you're saying it's the best because it's both broadly educational and the cheapest of the three?' A: 'Exactly.' B: 'Bear with me — does it work for the time we have, though? It's only ninety minutes…'
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.Sorry, ____ to check — did you say Tuesday?
Question 2.If I've understood ____, you want me to send it by Friday.
Question 3.Sorry, could you put that ____ way?
Question 4.He said the project is finished. ____ what sense?
Question 5.Bear ____ me — I'm just writing this down.
There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.
Q1.Check a number you might have misheard.
Q2.Reformulate what someone just said.
Q3.Ask politely for a rephrase.
Q4.Buy time to think.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a 130–160 word email summarising a handover meeting. You must include three clarification frames in reported form ('I just wanted to check that…', 'If I've understood correctly, …', 'Could you confirm…?'), 5 lesson vocabulary items, and end with a closing 'Please flag anything I've misread' line.
Your answer
Your work saves automatically0 words
Show model answer
Hi Marcus, Thanks for the handover earlier. Just to put it all in one place — I wanted to check that I've understood everything correctly before I run with it. If I've understood correctly, the deadline has been brought forward to the 15th of this month, the scope has been broadened to include the Cardiff team (delivering the data layer, reporting to Lena rather than to me), and the budget has been cut by approximately 15%. I'll be reporting to the steering group fortnightly on Friday afternoons. Could you confirm two small things? First, whether the Cardiff team should be included in our weekly stand-ups or kept separate. Second, in what sense the 15% cut applies — is it across the whole budget, or specifically to external suppliers? I'll be in touch tomorrow with a fuller plan. Please flag anything I've misread above. Thanks, Priya
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Role-play a 'fast briefing'. Your teacher (or partner) gives you instructions about a fictional event (place, time, who's coming, budget, role) deliberately quickly and with at least one ambiguous detail. You must clarify and reformulate using 5 different lesson phrases, then summarise at the end with 'So if I've understood correctly…'. Score yourself on whether the summary was actually accurate.
Useful phrases
- • Sorry, just to check —
- • Do you mean…?
- • In what sense?
- • If I've understood correctly, …
- • Bear with me — I'm just writing this down.
Speaking reflection & notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
- ASo we're meeting at six on Tuesday at the new place.
- B_______________
- AThe wine bar on the corner — we tried it last month.
- B_______________
- AExactly. And dress code is smart casual.
- B_______________
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
For one full day, never say 'what?' in English. Use 'Sorry, could you…?' or 'Do you mean…?' instead. Notice when you slip.
Listen to a 5-minute podcast at 1.25× speed. Pause every 60 seconds and reformulate what you heard out loud using 'So they're saying…'
Write 5 reformulation sentences using 'If I've understood correctly…' based on 5 different things you read or watched today.
Homework notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Don't say 'what?' — say a softener + a checking phrase.
- Reformulate ('So you're saying…?') instead of saying 'I don't understand'.
- 'Just to check…' and 'If I've understood correctly…' are your two workhorses.
- Indirect questions need statement order: 'Could you tell me what you mean?' (not 'what do you mean').
- 'Sorry' at the start is a softener, not a real apology — use it freely.