FUNCTION: ASKING FOR REPETITION AND CLARIFICATION

1. ASKING FOR REPETITION AND
CLARIFICATION
BY
ROCIO ESTOLANO

2. Could you repeat that, please?

3. 1. Discussion
oWhich people are hard to understand
in English?
oWhat do you do when you don’t
understand what someone says in
English?

4. 2. Asking for Repetition
a. Would you say these to a guest (G), at
the hotel or friend (F) or both (B)?
o Sorry?
o Sorry, could you repeat that,
please?
o What?
o I beg your pardon?
o Could you speak more slowly,
please?
o Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
(G), (F) or (B)?

5. 3. Asking for Clarification / Checking
Sometimes we think we understand, but are
not 100% sure.
How can we check?
e.g. “did you say TWO coffees?”

6. Conversation Practice
1. Pretend you are being introduced to someone at a party.
The music is very loud, and you can't hear your partner clearly.
Example,
What did you say your name was?
Cindy Carton.
Did you say Sidney or Cindy?
Cindy, like the famous model.
2. Pretend your partner is applying for a passport.
Ask him/her for personal information*
(name, birth date, address, telephone number, etc.)
Then practice asking for repetition.
For example,
What is your date of birth?
August 15, 1981.
Did you say August 16th?
No, August 15th.
*Since this is a "role play," you don't have to use actual (real) information.
You may "make up" dates, numbers, etc.

7. 4. Practice
Look at the 5 situations below and fill in the blanks. Then practise
saying them with a partner.
a. Housekeeper and elderly guest
Elderly Guest: Excuse me, I’d like an extra blanket, please
Housekeeper:…………………………………………. (ask for repetition)
Elderly Guest: I said I’d like an extra blanket.
Housekeeper: Just ONE blanket?
Elderly Guest: Yes, that’s right. Thank you.

8. b. Waiter and customer (at breakfast)
Guest: Excuse me, can you bring me some HP sauce?
Waiter:………………………………………………. (ask for repetition)
Guest: HP sauce.
Waiter:………………………………………………(check if that’s the same as ‘brown
sauce’)
Guest: Yes, that’s right. Thank you.
c. Kitchen portner and head chef
Head Chef: Get me ten soufflé dishes.
Kitchen porter: …………………………………………………. (ask for
repetition)
Head Chef: ten soufflé dishes.
Kitchen porter: …………………………………………………... (check the
meaning of ‘soufflé dishes)
Head Chef: yeah, hurry.

9. d. Banqueting waitress and wedding guest
Wedding Guest: Excuse me, where are the loos, please?
Waitress: …………………………………………………. (ask for
repetition)
Wedding Guest: The loos. The ladies.
Waitress: …………………………………………(check if they
mean ‘the toilets’)
Wedding Guest: That’s right. Where are they?
e. You and a Scottish colleague/friend
Friend: There’s a ceilidh on tonight.
You: …………………………………………………. (ask for
repetition)
Friend: A ceilidh.
You: ………………………………………(check if they mean
‘Scottish dancing’)
Friend: Aye. It starts at eight.

11. B. Pair Work. Write the names of famous people who had,
or have had, a difficult life. Then take turns
telling what you think about the different people and why.
Your partner will ask for clarification and
repetition.
A writer:
(name) ______________________________
A historical figure:
(name) ______________________________
A political leader:
(name) ______________________________
An actor:
(name) ______________________________
A singer or musician:
(name) ______________________________
A military leader:
(name) ______________________________
A person with a physical handicap:
(name) ______________________________
An artist or designer:
(name) ______________________________
A member of a royal family:
(name) ______________________________
A great teacher or religious figure:
(name) ______________________________
Your own idea:
(name) ______________________________