Can you repeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Can you repeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to say something again for clarity or understanding. Example: "I didn't catch that last part. Can you repeat what you just said?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Can you repeat the question?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Can you repeat them back to me? JF Steer clear of interesting decades?

The Guardian - Books

"Can you repeat that?" We came up with the name over dinner.

The Guardian - Books

Can you repeat again?' My rule is that I shouldn't be shy".

The Guardian

Can you repeat back the phrase, "The cat always hid under the couch when dogs were in the room"?

The Washington Post

"Can you repeat that": An article on why research studies must be robust and reproducible if medical science is to keep us well.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Can you please repeat?

The New York Times

Can you just repeat yourself or your teammates?

WikiHow

That way, the errors aren't so costly and you can repeat until you get it right.

WikiHow

There are only so many times you can repeat yourself before you feel like you're reading off a script.

The Guardian - Sport

You can repeat it until you find a perfect place to build a house.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to repeat themselves, consider the context and your relationship with the person to choose the most appropriate phrasing. For example, "Could you please repeat that?" is more formal than "Say that again?"

Common error

While the phrase "Can you repeat" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, it can come across as slightly informal in very formal or professional environments. Opt for a more polite alternative such as "Could you please repeat that?" or "Would you mind restating that?" in these settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Can you repeat" functions as an interrogative request, specifically asking the listener to reiterate something that was previously said. Ludwig examples show its use in various conversational contexts, aligning with its direct and functional purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Can you repeat" is a common and generally acceptable way to ask someone to say something again. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for professional or academic settings. Its function is primarily to seek clarification or ensure understanding. While the phrase is frequently encountered in news, academic, and wiki sources, remember to consider the formality of the situation to select the most appropriate phrasing. The best practice is to evaluate context and select more appropriate phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you please repeat that?

A more formal and polite request for repetition.

Could you say that again?

A polite and common way to ask for repetition.

Would you mind repeating that?

A very polite request for repetition, implying deference.

Say that again?

A more casual way to ask for repetition.

I didn't catch that.

Indicates that the speaker missed hearing something.

Pardon?

A very short and informal way to ask someone to repeat.

Excuse me?

Similar to "pardon", but can also express surprise.

Come again?

An informal way to ask someone to repeat themselves.

What was that?

A direct way to ask someone to repeat, but can sound abrupt.

Can you run that by me one more time?

Often used in business contexts, asking for a recap.

FAQs

What's a polite way to ask someone to repeat something?

You can use phrases like "Could you please repeat that?", "Would you mind repeating that?", or "Excuse me?" depending on the level of formality required.

Is "Can you repeat that?" considered rude?

No, "Can you repeat that?" is generally not considered rude, but it's less formal. In professional settings, more polite alternatives such as "Could you say that again?" are preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "Pardon" instead of "Can you repeat that?"?

"Pardon?" is a quick, informal way to ask someone to repeat themselves. It's suitable in casual conversations, but it might be perceived as impolite in formal settings where phrases like "Can you repeat that?" or "Could you please repeat that?" are more appropriate.

What are some business-appropriate alternatives to "Can you repeat that?"?

In a business setting, you might use phrases like "Can you run that by me one more time?", "Could you clarify that?", or "Could you elaborate on that?" for better clarity and professionalism.