Conversation at Work | Repeating and Explaining - Nhắc lại và Giải thích

1. Repeating (Nhắc lại)
Use these phrases when you want to talk again about something that was said before:

• If I could just go back to something Julia said/ mentioned earlier…
• Going back to what Julia said/ mentioned earlier…
• Thinking about what Julia said /mentioned earlier…
• As Julia said earlier…

Examples:
Going back to what Julia said earlier, perhaps it would be better to keep some of this money back for training purposes.
As Julia said earlier, we can’t get the staff because we don’t pay enough.

2. Not hearing (Không nghe được)
Use these phrases when you did not hear what someone said:

• (Sorry,) I missed that.
• (Sorry,) I didn’t catch that.
• (I’m sorry,) could you repeat that, please?
• (I’m sorry,) could you say that again, please?

3. Not understanding (Không hiểu)
Use these phrases when you you did not understand what someone said:

• I’m sorry, could you explain that again, please?
• I’m not sure I understand what you mean (by) …
• Could you run that by me again, please?
• I’m afraid I don’t follow you.
• I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.

Examples:
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by ‘type A projects.’ Would you mind explaining that, please?
Could you run that by me again, please? I mean the figures part.

4. Asking for more information (Hỏi thêm thông tin)
Use these phrases when you want someone to tell you more about something:

• Angela, could you say a little bit more about…?
• Angela, could you explain…in a bit more detail?

Examples:
I’m afraid I don’t know much about the new system – could you say a little more about it, Peter?

5. Making sure that you understand (Chắc chắn rằng đã hiểu)
Use these phrases when you think you understand something but want to make sure:

• So, what you’re saying, Paul, is that…
• Is that right?
• Just to recap (= repeat the main points), you would like to… ? Is that right?
• So, Paul, just to make sure I’ve understood this / got this right…
• So, am I right, Paul, in saying that you want to…?

Examples:
So, Paul, what you are saying is that we need more money in the training budget. Is that right?
So, Paul, just to recap, we need a bigger training budget but we could probably reduce the marketing spend?

6. Being misunderstood (Bị hiểu sai)
Use these phrases when someone has not understood you:

• That’s not quite what I meant.
• I think you’ve misunderstood me.
• Perhaps I didn’t explain this very clearly.

Examples:
I think you’ve misunderstood me – I wasn’t talking about the changes that are proposed in this report.

7. Not knowing (Không biết)
Use these phrases when you are not sure what you think or who you agree with:

• I don’t know what to think about this.
• I’m in two minds about this.
• I’m not sure where I stand on this.
• I can see both sides of the argument.

Examples:
I’m in two minds about this issue. Certainly we need publicity but is this the best use of our money?
I’m not sure where I stand on this. Is it better to invest now or see how the market goes and decide later?

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Source: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press, 2008