🎯 Lesson Goal
Sometimes people speak too fast, too quietly, or use words we don't know.
Don't worry!
In this lesson you will learn how to:
✅ Ask someone to repeat.
✅ Ask for clarification.
✅ Speak politely.
✅ Understand conversations more easily.
📚 Grammar Focus
1. Can...?
We use Can to make simple requests.
Structure
Can + subject + base verb...?
Examples:
• Can you say that again?
• Can you repeat that?
• Can you explain it?
• Can you speak more slowly?
2. Could...?
Could is more polite than Can.
Examples
• Could you repeat that, please?
• Could you explain that again?
• Could you speak a little slower?
• Could you help me understand?
💡 Tip:
Can = friendly
Could = more polite
3. Useful Question Patterns
Can you...?
Could you...?
What do you mean?
How do you pronounce...?
Did you say...?
You mean...?
📝 Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat | Say again | Please repeat. |
| Clarify | Make something clear | Can you clarify? |
| Understand | Know the meaning | I understand. |
| Explain | Give more information | Please explain. |
| Speak up | Speak louder | Can you speak up? |
| Slowly | Not fast | Please speak slowly. |
| Instructions | Steps to follow | Read the instructions. |
| Meaning | Definition | What's the meaning? |
| Pronounce | Say a word | How do you pronounce it? |
| Miss | Not hear | Sorry, I missed that. |
💬 Useful Expressions
These are common English expressions.
⭐ Can you say that again?
⭐ Could you repeat that, please?
⭐ Sorry, I didn't catch that.
⭐ Can you speak more slowly?
⭐ Could you explain that again?
⭐ What do you mean?
⭐ Could you clarify that?
⭐ Sorry, I missed that.
⭐ Can you spell it, please?
⭐ How do you pronounce that?
💡 Pronunciation Tip
Native speakers often say:
"I didn't catch that."
This means:
👉 I didn't hear or understand what you said.
It is one of the most common expressions in English.
🗣️ Example Sentences
-
Can you repeat the question?
-
Could you say that again?
-
I didn't understand.
-
Can you explain it?
-
Could you speak more slowly?
-
Sorry, I missed your name.
-
Can you spell your last name?
-
What do you mean?
-
Could you repeat the address?
-
I didn't catch the last word.
❓ Questions & Answers
Q:
Can you repeat that?
A:
Sure. I said the class starts at 9 o'clock.
Q:
Could you explain that again?
A:
Of course. Let me explain.
Q:
Can you speak more slowly?
A:
Yes, no problem.
Q:
What do you mean?
A:
I mean we have homework today.
Q:
Can you spell your name?
A:
Yes.
J-A-M-E-S.
Q:
I didn't catch that.
A:
That's OK. I'll say it again.
👥 Conversation
At School
Teacher: Open your books on page twenty.
Anna: Sorry, could you repeat that?
Teacher: Of course. Open your books on page twenty.
Anna: Thank you!
Teacher: Now read the first paragraph.
Anna: Sorry, can you speak a little slower?
Teacher: Certainly.
Read the first paragraph.
Anna: Got it!
📖 Reading
Why Is It Good to Ask for Repetition?
Sometimes English speakers talk very fast.
Sometimes there is a lot of noise.
Sometimes you don't know a word.
That is completely normal.
Good English learners ask questions.
If you don't understand something, don't guess.
Ask politely.
You can say:
"Can you say that again, please?"
or
"Sorry, I didn't catch that."
People are usually happy to repeat.
Asking questions helps you learn faster.
It also shows that you are listening carefully.
Remember:
Good communication is not about understanding everything the first time.
It is about asking when you need help.
🎯 Mini Practice
Choose the best answer.
1.
Someone speaks too fast.
You say:
A) Goodbye.
B) Can you speak more slowly, please?
C) Nice to meet you.
✅ Answer: B
2.
You didn't hear the last word.
You say:
A) I don't like it.
B) Sorry, I didn't catch that.
C) Good morning.
✅ Answer: B
3.
You want to be very polite.
Which is better?
A) Can you repeat that?
B) Could you repeat that, please?
✅ Answer: B
✍️ Writing Practice
Complete the sentences.
-
______ you repeat that?
-
Sorry, I didn't ______ that.
-
Could you ______ more slowly?
-
What do you ______?
-
Can you ______ your name?
Answers
-
Can
-
catch
-
speak
-
mean
-
spell
⭐ Common Mistakes
❌ Repeat again.
✅ Repeat.
❌ Explain me.
✅ Explain it to me.
❌ Speak slowly.
✅ Can you speak more slowly, please?
❌ I no understand.
✅ I don't understand.
🧠 Remember
When you don't understand English...
😊 Don't stay silent.
Ask politely.
Use these expressions:
✔ Can you repeat that?
✔ Could you say that again?
✔ Sorry, I didn't catch that.
✔ Could you explain it again?
The more you ask, the more you learn!
📌 Key Expressions
⭐ Can you say that again?
⭐ Could you repeat that, please?
⭐ Sorry, I didn't catch that.
⭐ Could you explain that again?
⭐ Can you speak more slowly?
⭐ What do you mean?
⭐ Can you spell that?
⭐ I don't understand.
⭐ Could you clarify that?
⭐ Thank you!
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