Don’t Say “I don’t understand”

❌ Don't Say

I don't understand

✅ Say This Instead

"Could you clarify that for me?"

Meaning

Politely ask someone to explain something more clearly.

اردو ترجمہ

کیا آپ میرے لیے وضاحت کر سکتے ہیں؟

Daily Life Examples

  • Could you clarify that for me?
    کیا آپ میرے لیے وضاحت کر سکتے ہیں؟
  • I'm not clear on the deadline; could you clarify that for me?
    مجھے ڈیڈ لائن واضح نہیں ہے؛ کیا آپ میرے لیے وضاحت کر سکتے ہیں؟
  • Could you clarify that for me, so I can complete the task correctly?
    کیا آپ میرے لیے وضاحت کر سکتے ہیں تاکہ میں کام درست طریقے سے مکمل کر سکوں؟

"Could you clarify that for me?"

Say it out loud — click each circle as you go





Expression Frequency

Very Common

Formality

Both

Authority Score

9/10

📖 Linguistic Context

A polite interrogative request; it uses the modal 'could' + infinitive and functions as a direct question seeking clarification.

🔄 Synonyms & Alternatives

Can you explain that?Would you mind clarifying?Could you elaborate?

📰 Real-World Usage Examples

"Could you clarify that for me? I'm not sure how to proceed with the new policy."

📌 Business context

"The professor's explanation was dense; could you clarify that for me before the exam?"

📌 Academic context

"I missed a part of the story; could you clarify that for me?"

📌 Daily conversation

⚠️ When NOT to Use

Avoid using it when you already fully understand the information, as it may sound redundant.

💡 Pro Tip

Use it when something is ambiguous or you need more detail, especially in professional or academic settings.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is it correct to say I don't understand?

It's understandable but sounds weak; prefer a more specific request.

When should I use Could you clarify that for me?

Use it whenever you need a clearer explanation or additional details.

What does Could you clarify that for me mean?

It politely asks the speaker to explain something more clearly.

Posted on June 17, 2026 · Practice English Daily · More Practice Sentences