名师指导远离蹩脚英语之Understanding

　　Whether you are a native English speaker ora non-native speaker, youll often need to use the phrases I dont understand and Do youunderstand? They are essential for keeping a conversation going, sharingideas, and simply enjoying clear communication. This section shows the variousexpressions used to check for understanding, to say that you dont understand,or that you do。

　　ASKING

　　DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

　　To ask if someone understands your Englishyou can just say Understand? or youcan use one of the following expressions for Do you understand?

　　The expressions in the following list canbe used to ask if someone understands something unfamiliar or difficult or ifsomeone understands ones meaning or point of view. Most of these expressionsmay be said in a shortened version, not using the words shown in parentheses.The shorter versions of these expressions are very common, and theyre moreslangy and familiar。

　　The following expressions can be suedinterchangeably with many of the ones in the preceding list, but they have someadditional meanings:with me? Can also mean Do you share my view?See what I mean? Can also mean Do you understand theproblem; understand my meaning or viewpoint?get my drift? Means Do you understand whatIm indirectly implying?see my point? Means Do you understand myopinion?Am I making myself clear? Often said by a person ofauthority after giving an order or having a serious talk。

　　SAYING

　　I UNDERSTAND

　　You can answer any of the questions thatcheck for understanding by turning the question into a statement . Here are a few examples:

　　Possible answer

　　Do you get it?

　　I get it! Or Got it!

　　Doesthat make sense? That makes sense。

　　Isthat clear?

　　Thats clear。

　　Seemy point?

　　I dont see your point。

　　SAYING

　　I DIDNT UNDERSTAND

　　When one doesnt understand, there are anumber of polite statements and short expressions that mean I dont understand。

　　Im afraid I dont understand: Im afraid is a polite opener like Im sorry to say

　　Im not clear on that or Its not clear: in this context, clear means understanding or understandable

　　Idont get it: get it is slang for understand

　　Huh?

　　Or What?:

　　casual and familiar responses

　　Comeagain?: means Say that again or Explain thatagain

　　Howsthat?: means Say that again or Explain thatagain

　　Whatsthat?: means Say that again or Explain thatagain doesnt mean What is that thing?

　　Say again?: means Please repeat that。

　　Saywhat?: slangy and familiar; can be considered rude

　　Thatwent right over my head: means Thats toodifficult for me sometimes said along with a gesture of ones hand sweepingpast the top of ones head。