It’s always a good idea to clarify instructions by repeating back what you heard. This gives the speaker an
opportunity to either correct your understanding (e.g., No, I mean . . .; No, the second street), or confirm that your
understanding is correct (e.g., Yes, that’s right). By clarifying instructions, you can avoid misunderstandings. Here
are some tips for clarifying instructions:
• Alert the speaker to your problem by using any of the following: Wait ...; Sorry. . .; So. . .; Hold on . . .; Just a
sec . . .; I just want to make sure I understand correctly …
• Ask the speaker a direct question or state your own understanding by paraphrasing the instruction (e.g., Do you
mean. . .? Was that the first street on the right? So you will be waiting for him at the Air Italia ticket counter?).