VOA慢速英语2019--关于澄清用语

How to Ask for Clarification

In the humorous American television program Seinfeld, the characters often find themselves in strange situations because of small communication failures. These little misunderstandings grow to the point of total confusion.

For example, in one show, Jerry and George take a limousine¹, or limo, meant for other passengers. They act like they are those passengers by using their names.

Listen to George express excitement about what they have done:

This is incredible! This is one of the greatest things I've ever done in my life! I'm going to call my mother.

What for?

To tell her I'm in a limo.

Hello, ma. It's me. Guess where I am –? in the back of a limo! No, nobody died.

Some of the planned passengers later unexpectedly get in the limo and begin to make unusual comments. Jerry and George are unsure what these comments mean. But they soon find out they are among very, very bad people.

On television, communication failures can make for funny stories. But in real life, you probably want to avoid such confusion.

In today’s program, we will tell you how to get clarification on what someone has said or written.

When you ask someone for clarification, you are asking them to say something in a different way or provide more information so that you understand them better. This is different from asking a person to repeat something.

The person might not have explained themselves clearly, for example. Or maybe they used difficult language. Or maybe you think you know what the person means but want to make sure that you are correct.

Here is how you can respectfully get the information that you need.

Express lack of understanding

The first step is to tell the person that you are not sure that you have understood them fully². Let’s listen to a few useful phrases:

I’m sorry but I’m not sure (that) I understand.

Sorry, I’m not sure (that) I know what you mean.

Sorry but I don’t quite follow you.

Using the word “that” in two of the phrases is more suited for formal written communication, such as work-related emails.

Other times, you may understand part of what someone has said but need clarity on another part. In such situations, you can be more exact. Let’s hear a few examples:

I’m sorry but I’m not sure I understand what you mean by "tech giants."

Sorry but I don’t quite follow what you’re saying about the new policy.

Ask for clarification

After you express your lack of understanding, the next step is to ask the person to clarify what they have said. Here are some phrases you can use.

For many of them, you can use “can” or “could,” with could being a little more formal:

Could you say it in another way?

Can you clarify that for me?

Could you rephrase that?

When you say…, do you mean…?

The phrase “When you say…, do you mean…?” of course is not a complete sentence. Here is how it sounds when complete:

When you say workers are on furlough, do you mean they’re temporarily laid off from work?

Other times, you may simply need more information or a helpful example. In such situations, the following are useful:

Could you be more specific?

Can you give me an example?

Could you elaborate on that?

“Could you elaborate on that?” is usually more suited to formal situations, such as in the workplace.

Put it together

OK, we have talked about the two steps. But we haven't yet put them together. Let’s do that now. Listen to someone expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification:

I’m sorry but I’m not sure I understand. When you say workers are on furlough, do you mean they’re temporarily laid off from work?

Here’s another example:

Sorry but I don’t quite follow what you’re saying about the new policy. Could you be more specific about gift card restrictions³?

Confirm understanding

There are some social or professional situations in which you may want to avoid directly saying you haven’t understood. In such cases, you can check your understanding by rephrasing what the person said. For instance, you might say, “Let me see if I understood you correctly. You are saying that…”

Let me see if I understood you correctly. You’re saying that airport security workers are now working without pay?

Here is a very similar phrase: “If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that…”

If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that airport security workers are now working without pay?

Another phrase you might use is, “So, what you’re saying is…”

So, what you’re saying is (that) some hotels offer discounts to guests for not using their cellphones?

Or, you might say, “So, in other words…,” which we usually use when we are restating something in a simpler way:

So, in other words, complex carbohydrates⁴ are starches⁶ that have not been refined.

Show understanding

After the person clarifies themselves, you can let them know that you now understand and are thankful. Have a listen:

I got it. Thank you!

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.

Now I understand. Thanks a lot.

Clarify your ideas

There are other times when someone will ask you for clarification. In such cases, phrases like these can introduce what you want to say:

In other words,…

Let me clarify that.

To put it another way,…

Of course, there are many ways to ask for or offer clarification, but we hope these examples help.

I’m Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

character – n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie or television show

limousine – n. very large and comfortable car usually driven by a professional driver

phrase – n. a brief expression that is commonly used

formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing

lay off – v. the ending of employment of a worker or group of workers

discount – n. a price reduction

starch⁵ – n. a substance that is found in certain foods, such as bread, rice and potatoes

introduce – v. to present something for discussion or consideration

account – n. a record of money that has been paid and money that has been received

assignment – n. a task someone is required to do

1 limousine   

n.豪华轿车

参考例句：

• A chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady.司机为这个高贵的女士打开了豪华轿车的车门。
• We arrived in fine style in a hired limousine.我们很气派地乘坐出租的豪华汽车到达那里。

2 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 carbohydrates   

n.碳水化合物，糖类( carbohydrate的名词复数 )；淀粉质或糖类食物

参考例句：

• The plant uses the carbohydrates to make cellulose. 植物用碳水化合物制造纤维素。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All carbohydrates originate from plants. 所有的碳水化合物均来自植物。 来自辞典例句

5 starch   

n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆

参考例句：

• Corn starch is used as a thickener in stews.玉米淀粉在炖煮菜肴中被用作增稠剂。
• I think there's too much starch in their diet.我看是他们的饮食里淀粉太多了。

6 starches   

n.淀粉( starch的名词复数 )；含淀粉的食物；浆粉v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• You should avoid sugars and starches. 你应避免吃糖和含淀粉的食物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Cotton and rayon yarns are most often sized with water-insoluble starches. 棉和人造丝纱多用不溶于水的淀粉上浆。 来自互联网