How to Say You Do Not Understand in a Presentation Practice Conversation

When you are in a presentation practice conversation, not understanding a point is normal and expected. The key is to express your confusion clearly and politely without losing confidence. This guide gives you direct, practical phrases to say you do not understand, explains when to use each one, and helps you avoid common mistakes that can confuse your listener even more.

Quick Answer: What to Say When You Do Not Understand

If you need a simple, polite way to show you did not understand in a presentation practice conversation, use one of these three phrases:

• “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it?” – Polite and safe for most situations.
• “Could you explain that part again?” – Direct but still respectful.
• “I’m not sure I follow. Can you clarify?” – Shows you are trying to understand, not just giving up.

These phrases work in both formal and informal settings. Choose the one that matches your relationship with the speaker and the tone of the presentation.

Understanding the Context: Formal vs. Informal

In a presentation practice conversation, the setting matters. A formal presentation to a manager or client requires more careful language. A practice session with a classmate or colleague can be more relaxed. Below is a comparison table to help you choose the right phrase.

Notice that formal phrases often include words like “apologize,” “afraid,” and “would you mind.” Informal phrases are shorter and use contractions like “don’t” and “can’t.”

Natural Examples in Presentation Practice Conversations

Here are realistic examples of how to say you do not understand during a presentation practice conversation. Each example includes the context and the tone.

Example 1: Missing a Number or Statistic

Speaker: “Our revenue increased by 23.7% in the last quarter.”
You: “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch the exact number. Was it 23.7% or 27.3%?”
Tone: Polite and specific. You show you were listening but need confirmation.

Example 2: Not Understanding a Process

Speaker: “We then apply the algorithm to filter out outliers before normalizing the data.”
You: “Could you explain that step again? I’m not sure how the filtering works before normalization.”
Tone: Direct and focused. You name the part you do not understand.

Example 3: Confused by a Technical Term

Speaker: “The main issue is the latency in the backhaul connection.”
You: “I’m not familiar with the term ‘backhaul connection.’ Could you define it for me?”
Tone: Honest and respectful. You admit you do not know the term without feeling embarrassed.

Example 4: The Speaker Is Speaking Too Fast

Speaker: “So we need to integrate the API, test the endpoints, deploy to staging, and then run the regression suite before the release.”
You: “Would you mind going over that list more slowly? I want to make sure I note each step.”
Tone: Polite request. You explain why you need the repetition.

Common Mistakes When Saying You Do Not Understand

English learners often make these mistakes in presentation practice conversations. Avoid them to sound more natural and confident.

Mistake 1: Saying “I don’t understand” Without Context

Wrong: “I don’t understand.”
Why it is a problem: It is too vague. The speaker does not know what part you did not understand. They may repeat the entire presentation, which wastes time.
Better: “I don’t understand the part about the filtering process. Could you explain that again?”

Mistake 2: Using “What?” or “Huh?”

Wrong: “What?” or “Huh?”
Why it is a problem: These are very informal and can sound rude in a presentation setting, especially with a manager or client.
Better: “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” or “Pardon me?”

Mistake 3: Staying Silent

Wrong: Saying nothing and hoping you will understand later.
Why it is a problem: You miss important information, and the speaker assumes you understood. This can lead to mistakes later.
Better: Ask a specific question immediately. It shows you are engaged.

Mistake 4: Over-Apologizing

Wrong: “I’m so sorry, I’m really sorry, I know I should understand this, but I don’t…”
Why it is a problem: It makes you sound unsure and draws unnecessary attention to your mistake. It also slows down the conversation.
Better: “Could you clarify that point? I want to make sure I have it right.”

Better Alternatives for Common Situations

Sometimes the basic phrases feel repetitive. Here are better alternatives for specific situations in a presentation practice conversation.

When You Need a Repetition

• Instead of: “Can you repeat that?”
  Use: “Could you run that by me one more time?” (Informal but polite)
• Instead of: “Say it again.”
  Use: “I’d like to hear that again to make sure I understand.” (Formal)

When You Need an Explanation

• Instead of: “Explain this.”
  Use: “Could you break that down for me?” (Neutral, friendly)
• Instead of: “I don’t get it.”
  Use: “I’m having trouble following that logic. Can you walk me through it?” (Professional)

When You Are Unsure About a Detail

• Instead of: “Is that right?”
  Use: “Just to confirm, did you mean the second quarter or the third?” (Specific and clear)
• Instead of: “Are you sure?”
  Use: “I want to double-check that point. Was it 50 units or 15 units?” (Respectful)

When to Use Each Type of Phrase

Choosing the right phrase depends on three factors: your relationship with the speaker, the formality of the presentation, and how much you missed. Use this guide to decide.

• Formal presentation to a senior manager or client: Use phrases with “apologize,” “afraid,” or “would you mind.” Example: “I apologize, but I did not catch the last point. Could you please restate it?”
• Practice session with a peer or colleague: Use shorter, direct phrases. Example: “Sorry, I missed that. Can you say it again?”
• When you missed only one word or number: Be specific. Example: “Did you say 15% or 50%?”
• When you did not understand a whole concept: Ask for a breakdown. Example: “Could you explain the main idea again? I want to make sure I follow.”

Mini Practice: 4 Questions and Answers

Test yourself with these practice scenarios. Read the situation, then try to say the phrase out loud. After that, check the suggested answer.

Question 1

Situation: Your colleague is explaining a new project timeline. You missed the deadline for the first milestone.
Your phrase: (Write or say your answer before reading below.)
Suggested answer: “Sorry, I didn’t catch the deadline for the first milestone. Could you repeat that?”

Question 2

Situation: A client is presenting a complex budget breakdown. You do not understand how they calculated the overhead costs.
Your phrase: (Write or say your answer.)
Suggested answer: “I’m not sure I follow the calculation for overhead costs. Could you walk me through that step?”

Question 3

Situation: Your manager is speaking quickly during a presentation practice. You need them to slow down.
Your phrase: (Write or say your answer.)
Suggested answer: “Would you mind speaking a bit slower? I want to take notes on each point.”

Question 4

Situation: A team member uses a technical term you have never heard before.
Your phrase: (Write or say your answer.)
Suggested answer: “I’m not familiar with that term. Could you define it for me?”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it rude to say “I don’t understand” in a presentation?

No, it is not rude if you say it politely. The problem is usually how you say it, not the fact that you do not understand. Use a polite phrase like “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that” or “Could you clarify?” instead of a blunt “I don’t understand.”

2. What if I still do not understand after asking once?

It is okay to ask again. Try a different approach. For example, say “Thank you for explaining. I think I almost have it, but could you give me a simple example?” This shows you are trying and not just giving up.

3. Should I apologize every time I do not understand?

No. One polite apology at the beginning is enough. Over-apologizing makes you sound less confident. After the first apology, just ask your question directly.

4. Can I use these phrases in an email after the presentation?

Yes, but adjust the wording. For email, write something like “Thank you for the presentation. I wanted to follow up on the point about the budget. Could you clarify how the overhead costs were calculated?” This is polite and specific without needing an apology.

Final Tip for Presentation Practice Conversations

The goal of a presentation practice conversation is to improve, not to be perfect. When you do not understand something, see it as a chance to learn. Use the phrases from this guide to ask clear, polite questions. Over time, you will feel more comfortable and confident. For more help with starting conversations, visit our Presentation Practice Conversation Starters section. If you need polite ways to ask for help, check out Presentation Practice Conversation Polite Requests. And for more problem-solving phrases like these, explore our Presentation Practice Conversation Problem Explanations category.