How to ask someone to repeat something

Learn different ways you can ask someone to repeat what they have said.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the task. You can read the transcript at any time.

Transcript

Man: (Have you seen a green pen anywhere?)

Woman: I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that.

Man: (I said, 'Have you seen a green pen?')

Woman: Could you say that again?

Man: (Green pen, see it anywhere?)

Woman: I'm sorry ... I still didn't get that.

Man: (I said, 'Have you seen a green pen anywhere?')

Woman: Could you say that again?

Man: (Green pen, see it anywhere?)

Woman: One more time?

Man: (Have you seen a green pen anywhere?)

Woman: No, sorry. Nothing.

Man: (Have you seen a green pen anywhere?)

Woman: Look! I can't hear a word you're saying.

Man: I said, 'Have you seen a green pen?' Oh, there it is!

Task 1

Exercise

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Discussion

Can you think of any other ways to ask someone to repeat what they have said?

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Language level

Intermediate: B1

I can't hear well. The words in the videos are so fast. Do you explain what's matter? Sorry for my question.

Hi alberto bastos,

Yes, it is a bit fast, and what the man says is unclear (which is why the woman needs to ask him to repeat it).

Try using the transcript to see the full text. Also, pause after an unclear part, and go back and listen to that part again until you catch the words. I hope that helps :)

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Hello alberto,

The people in this video speak at a natural speed for native speakers. It's not unusual for students to find that difficult, which is why we include transcripts of what they say. I'd suggest you try reading the transcript as you listen.

I'd also suggest you try our Speaking and Listening skills sections, where you can find resources at the level that's best for you. I'd also suggest checking out Podcasts and Writing home.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

I think the words of the videoes are fast. So, I can't hear it well. I think it will be good for learning English if they speak slowly. It will be easier to catch the words. Thanks for the helpful lesson!!!!!!!!!

Hello ewa hart,

I would suggest you try the videos in our Speaking skills section and the audios in our Listening skills section.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Sorry, could you repeat it, please? Am... actually I couldn't catch your words. This is another way. Is there any problem.

Yes. I can.

Maybe with non-verbal communication...

It's great ,because these sentences all use like this situation , when somebody say something for more than three time and you don't quite hear him . Please if I have any mistakes in my comment, correct it to me, don't be shy

sorry ,but videos doesn't work well

Hello Aktham Youssef

I'm sorry that the video doesn't work well for you. Could you please tell us more about the problems you're having? Are you able to see other videos on our site, for example in the Video zone or Starting Out?

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you very match.

simple and useful

Sorry! i can't hear well.

The most usual way that I use to ask some one repeat a sentence is ' please repeat' or ' Sorry I can't understand you' or I say 'what?'

I had never heard the first one!

It is great but i got a chance to attend the class here in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. when i took listening assessment a bit different from this.

It's really so nice topic. Thanks so much!

I am sorry to say that I cannot watch your video here since I am located in China. What a pity!

Ican't understand what you are saying.. I can't hear your voice... , could you repeat that,please? These phrases are useful for asking someone to repeat something

Hello Sir, is it correct sentence: "I recite incantation in the morning".

Hello Muhammad Erad,

The word 'incantation' is used in certain contexts, but, for example, in the Abrahamic religions people don't recite incantations -- instead they 'pray' or 'recite prayers'.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Sorry I dont understand. Could you please repeat that? Here is another way to say that you dont get what the people are talking.

Hello there. I'm new member here, and I hope we can help each other to improve our english. let's be friend. :)

Dear All, Help corrected me, Partners in Campassion (PC) collaborated with local authorities, stakeholders and health centers in each Operation District (OD) to ensure universal access to quality of Pre-ART/ART service through strong health and community system. PC facilate to referre general population pregnant women, TB patients and Sero Discordant couple. In period from July to September 2017, there were 234 persons were referred to health service.

Hello kongvuthy,

I'm afraid we don't provide the service of correcting texts. If there is a specific word or phrase you want to ask us about, feel free, but otherwise please look for a proofreader or editor.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

i am happy to be there and i need to ameliorate my english speaking thank you

Hello gerardino,

Welcome! We're glad you found us. Have you seen our Frequently asked questions page? You can find advice on how to use LearnEnglish to improve your speaking there.

I'd also recommend you visit our Facebook page – our social media team gives lots of useful advice on improving your speaking there, too.

Good luck! And please let us know if you have any other questions.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

hello i am a new member happy Happy to find these courses I hope to be able to learn everything and speak fluent english greetings from venezuela

Hi I wanna to learn English so well, I hope that you can help me!

Hi Nancy J,

Welcome to LearnEnglish! I hope we can help you to achieve your goal!

The best place to start is our Getting Started section, which has a lot of information about the site and how best to use it. Please also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, which offers tips and suggestions on how to improve various specific aspects of English such as grammar, listening, speaking and so on.

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Hi, Im new member here. I need someone who can help me to learn English well:)

Hello octaviaindr,

Welcome! The first thing I would suggest is considering taking a class at the British Council. I'd also suggest you read our Getting started and Frequently asked questions pages, where you will find information about our site as well as advice on how to get the most out of it.

If you have any other specific questions, please let us know.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Unlike Starting Out's Julia and Sammy they both are talking so fast in each other, I try my best to get them but can't catch their conversation, one thing I want to ask you here that if I get registered for IELTS exams, will I face these so fast type of conversation during the listening session?

Hello M. Ali,

To learn about the IELTS, I'd encourage you to visit TakeIELTS, where you can find information about the test, useful advice on how to prepare for it and even some free practice materials. Listen to the sample listening exam to get an idea of what it's like.

It's true that there is a big difference between Starting Out and the video on this page. One thing you can do to learn from the video on this page is to watch it while reading the transcript (below the exercises). Listen and read several times and it should get easier to understand. Another idea is to use some of our other resources (e.g. Elementary Podcasts, Word on the Street) that are at a level between the level of Starting Out and the How to videos.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hai guys, my name is yahzeel. i'm new member here. can be friend to learn something together?

Hi Yahzeel,

Welcome to LearnEnglish! It sounds like you're very motivated to improve, which is great. To get started, I recommend our Getting Started section, which has a lot of useful information about the site and how to use it. Be sure to also read our Frequently Asked Questions page, which has tips on effective learning in different areas such as grammar, speaking, vocabulary and so on.

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

thanks for your work

How to ask someone to repeat something

Preparation

Transcript

Task 1

Discussion

Language level