can you repeat that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can you repeat that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when asking someone to say something again, often because it was not heard or understood the first time. Example: "I didn't catch what you said during the meeting. Can you repeat that?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

KENT HUBBELL: Can you repeat that so we can hear it?

Cornell University

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

The Guardian - Books

"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

"On the back of the Blackpool win when we played very well, I said to the players can you repeat that again?" Gray added.

The Guardian - Sport

The narration moves between Theo's current-day work with Alicia, and Alicia's old diary, in which she has helpfully recounted every detail of every conversation she has had ("'Sorry?' I said. 'Can you repeat that?'") in a remarkably unnatural manner.

The Guardian - Books

Can you repeat that?" Government agencies, academics and reporters, however, complain that the department is unwilling to provide insight into its workings — even statistics on lower-level crime or Mr. Kelly's daily schedule.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

New research has begun to investigate the efficacy of 'scripts' — a set of words or phrases, such as, "Can you repeat what you just said?" that would signal to a peer that he has crossed a line, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

The Guardian

I'm also OK that in conversations with Spanish-speaking people, I often have to request, "por favor repita lentamente," or "can you please repeat that again". And when I'm bent over the piano, I allow no audience ― it's just me playing standards in my blow-by-blow rhythm with my breezy voice as accompaniment.

HuffPost

"You can repeat that history" of alcoholism, Ryan said.

Huffington Post

You can repeat that again and triple batter it, or even quadruple batter!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "can you repeat that". In some informal settings, alternatives like "what was that?" or "I didn't catch that" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "can you repeat that" repeatedly in formal presentations or meetings. Instead, try varying your requests for clarification by saying something like "Could you elaborate on that point?" or "I'd appreciate it if you could clarify that further".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you repeat that" functions as an interrogative request. Grammatically, it's structured as a question seeking clarification or repetition of a previously stated message. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can you repeat that" is a grammatically correct and highly common way to ask someone to reiterate what they've said. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for most everyday situations, though formality should be considered. The phrase's frequency in News & Media sources, followed by Academia, indicates its broad applicability. While alternatives exist for more formal contexts, "can you repeat that" serves as a straightforward and universally understood request for clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you say that again

A more polite and formal way of asking for repetition.

I didn't catch that

Indicates that you missed hearing something, implying a request for repetition.

what did you say

A direct and less formal way to ask for repetition.

say that again

An imperative form, slightly less polite than a question.

I didn't hear you

Directly states that you were unable to hear the person speaking.

pardon me

A very polite and somewhat old-fashioned way to indicate you didn't hear or understand.

what was that

A casual way of asking someone to repeat something you didn't hear clearly.

excuse me

Similar to "pardon me", but can also be used to interrupt briefly.

could you please reiterate

A highly formal and precise way to ask for repetition.

come again

An informal and sometimes considered impolite way to ask someone to repeat themselves.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask someone to repeat themselves?

Instead of "can you repeat that", you could say "could you say that again" or "could you please reiterate" for a more polite and professional tone.

When is it inappropriate to use "can you repeat that"?

While generally acceptable, "can you repeat that" may be considered too informal in highly formal settings such as academic presentations or interactions with superiors. In such situations, opt for more polite alternatives.

What's the difference between "can you repeat that" and "what did you say"?

"Can you repeat that" is a direct request for someone to reiterate their statement. "What did you say" is a more casual way of asking for repetition and might imply that you didn't hear or understand the original statement.

What are some informal alternatives to "can you repeat that"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "what was that", "I didn't catch that", or simply "pardon me".