9 Phrases to Check Understanding in Business Meetings
Use these expressions at work to sound more professional and ensure clear communication
English is the main business language today, and communicating confidently and professionally is essential. However, in fast-paced meetings, it’s normal to encounter moments where you need clarification. Instead of simply saying, "I didn’t understand that. Could you repeat it?" it's important to have professional, effective ways to check your understanding, ask for more details, or request information to be repeated. In this post, we’ll explore some polished phrases to help you navigate these situations with ease and professionalism.
1. Phrases for Clarifying
Let’s start with phrases you can use when you want to make sure you’ve understood everything correctly. In business meetings, it’s crucial to confirm that you’re on the same page as everyone else. These phrases help you check for clarity and ensure you're interpreting the information correctly without interrupting the flow of conversation.
"Just to clarify..."
Example:
"Just to clarify, are you saying we should prioritize the marketing campaign?""So what you're saying is..."
Example:
"So what you're saying is we need to delay the product launch to ensure we meet all the compliance requirements?""Let me make sure I’m on the same page..."
Example:
"Let me make sure I’m on the same page—you're suggesting we allocate the extra budget to the customer support team?"
2. Phrases for Asking for More Detail
Additionally, there are moments when we need more information to have a clear understanding. In those situations, asking for more details helps ensure that you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions. Here are 3 phrases you can use to ask for more details.
"Would you mind elaborating on that?"
Example:
"Would you mind elaborating on the timeline for the launch? I'd like to understand the key milestones better.""Can you describe that in more depth?"
Example:
"Can you describe that in more depth? Specifically, I want to know how we plan to address customer feedback during the process.""Could you provide more details on...?"
Example:
"Could you provide more details on the budget allocation for the marketing strategy?"
3. Phrases for Asking to Repeat Information
Lastly, sometimes we just didn’t follow what was said, and we need to ask for it to be repeated. It’s important to remember that there’s no shame in asking for clarification. What matters most is that we understand clearly, rather than pretending we comprehend everything. Here are some professional ways to ask someone to repeat what they just said.
"Can you walk me through that one more time?"
Example:
"Can you walk me through that one more time? I want to make sure I fully understand the next steps.""Would you mind going over that point again?"
Example:
"Would you mind going over that point again? I didn’t quite catch the details about the product features.""Could we revisit the part about...?"
Example:
"Could we revisit the part about the budget allocation? I’d like to clarify how we’re distributing resources across the departments."
Want to see some of these expressions in action? Watch my video to learn how you can use these phrases in your next business meeting!
Start Sounding More Professional in Your Meetings!
By using these professional phrases, you can enhance your communication in business meetings and feel more confident when seeking clarification or requesting more information. Clear communication is a vital skill in the workplace, and implementing these phrases will help you sound more professional and in control of your conversations.
If you'd like to practice these phrases and improve your English to elevate your professional skills even further, I offer personalized classes that can help you communicate confidently at work and in your personal life.
Sign up today for a FREE courtesy class and start improving your English for work. Let’s work together to achieve your goals!
