Speaking Situations: Asking for Repetition
Phrases for these situations
- Excuse me? (said like a question)
- Pardon me? (rising intonation)
- What did you say (your name was)?
- Did you say . . . ?
- Can you repeat that?
- Could you say that again please?
- What was that again?
- Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
- Could you speak up please?
- Could you speak a little louder?
Conversation Practice
1. Pretend you are being introduced to someone at a party.
The music is very loud, and you can’t hear your partner clearly.
Example:
What did you say your name was?
Cindy Carton.
Did you say Sidney or Cindy?
Cindy, like the famous model.
2. Pretend your partner is applying for a passport.
Ask him/her for personal information*
(name, birth date, address, telephone number, etc.)
Then practice asking for repetition.
For example:
What is your date of birth?
August 15, 1981.
Did you say August 16th?
No, August 15th.
*Since this is a “role play,” you don’t have to use actual (real) information.
You may “make up” dates, numbers, etc.
Textbook: English Knowhow, Book 1, Chapter 4