B1 • Lesson 24
Vocabulary and reading to prepare for your lesson
Click each word to see its meaning and an example.
To make something clearer or easier to understand.
"Can you clarify what you mean by that? I didn't understand completely."
Having more than one possible meaning; unclear.
"His statement was ambiguous, so I asked him to explain what he really meant."
To understand something wrongly or incorrectly.
"I think you misunderstood what I said—that's not what I meant at all."
To state something clearly and in detail.
"Can you specify which dates you're available? I need exact information."
Exact and clear; containing specific details.
"I need a more precise definition of what you consider success for this project."
To say that something is true or correct.
"Let me confirm that I understand you correctly: you want to start next Monday, right?"
Used before asking for more information about something someone said.
"Just to clarify, are you saying we need to finish by Friday or by next Monday?"
Used to explain what you said in a different or clearer way.
"What I mean is that we should focus on the most important problems first."
Used when you want to explain something you said in a different way.
"Let me rephrase that: I think we should have a clearer timeline for decisions."
Used to express the same idea using different words.
"To put it differently, we need better communication between teams."
Used to check if you understood someone's point correctly.
"So you think we should delay the project—is that what you meant?"
Used to ask someone to provide more details or exact information.
"You said the numbers were wrong—could you be more specific about which numbers?"
Misunderstandings happen frequently in conversations, especially when people use ambiguous language or don't explain their ideas clearly. When someone doesn't understand what you mean, it's important to clarify your point so that both people are on the same page.
There are many reasons why misunderstandings occur. Sometimes a person uses a word that has more than one meaning, so the listener interprets it differently. Other times, speakers assume that listeners know background information, but they don't. Additionally, people who are listening may not be paying full attention or may have different cultural expectations about communication.
Learning to clarify effectively is an essential skill. When you notice someone seems confused, you should rephrase your idea or give an example. Rather than repeating the same words, try using different expressions. You might ask them, "Is that what you mean?" or "Should I explain that differently?" These questions help confirm that you're both understanding each other correctly.
Being willing to clarify also shows respect and professionalism. It means you care about being understood, and it demonstrates that you're interested in having a real conversation. In business and education, this skill is especially valuable because clarity prevents problems and saves time.
To be a better communicator, practice using phrases like "Let me clarify," "What I mean is," and "To put it differently." These tools will help you communicate with precision and confidence.
~300 words • B1 Level
Think about these questions before your lesson. You don't need to write answers—just consider your thoughts.
For each question above, write maximum 3 keywords — no sentences. Then practise speaking your answer out loud from just the keywords.
Q1: "Can you think of a time when someone misunderstood what you said? What happened and how did you clarify?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Now say your answer out loud. Speak for about 30 seconds from just your keywords.
Q2: "What words or phrases in English do you find most confusing because they have multiple meanings?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Speak for 30 seconds. Let your brain build the sentences from the keywords.
Q3: "How comfortable are you asking someone to clarify or repeat what they said? Is it common in your culture?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Say your answer out loud — don't just think it! Your keywords are enough.
Remember: keywords only. Your brain does the rest. Mistakes are good — they mean you're practising speaking, not reading.
Preparation time: ~15 minutes