could you repeat that

USAGE SUMMARY

"Could you repeat that?" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to repeat something that wasn't heard or understood the first time. For example, "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat that?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Could you repeat that confirmation number?" January 8 , 2015

The New Yorker

This includes explicit questions, such as could you repeat that, or I don't understand.

Cornell University

All I ever said was "Could you repeat that?" And for what?

The New Yorker

SECOND REPORTER: Excuse me, Mr. Dinkins, could you repeat that line about the Jews?

The New York Times

Q.: When is the first time you recall any communication to you concerning attending an event at the Hsi Lai Temple on April 29? A.: Could you repeat that question?

The New York Times

At 76, I'm embarrassed by the number of times I find myself having to say, "excuse me, could you repeat that?" or nodding or saying something that might serve as a generic answer to a question I really didn't hear clearly rather than ask for another repeat.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

You could never repeat that.

The Guardian

Yeah, you could never repeat that, when I look back I think we were very fortunate, to have been there at that time.

Vice

Could he repeat that?

The New York Times

Our parents conformed and shirked resistance — we couldn't repeat that".

The New York Times - Books

It could well repeat that role in the run-up to Paris.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to repeat themselves, especially in formal settings, using "could you repeat that please" can add politeness and soften the request.

Common error

While "could you repeat that" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound overly formal in very casual conversations. Consider using a more relaxed alternative like "what was that?" or "say that again?" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you repeat that" functions as an imperative request. It directly asks the listener to reiterate what they previously stated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could you repeat that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for requesting someone to say something again. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's considered correct and usable in various contexts, from news reporting to academic discussions. While versatile, it’s best to consider the formality of the situation: in very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. This phrase is most often encountered in news, academic, and wiki contexts. Remember to consider alternatives like "could you say that again" or the simpler "say that again" to match the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please repeat that

A more direct and simple request for repetition.

Say that again

A very concise way to ask someone to repeat something.

Could you say that again

Directly asks for a repetition with a slightly more casual tone.

Can you say that one more time

Asks for a single repetition, emphasizing the 'one more time' aspect.

Excuse me, can you repeat that

Similar to 'pardon me' but slightly less formal.

Pardon me, could you repeat that

Adds a polite introductory phrase, increasing the formality.

Would you mind repeating that

A more polite and indirect way of asking for repetition.

I'm sorry, I didn't catch that

States that you missed hearing something and implies a request for repetition.

Could you run that by me again

Uses idiomatic language to ask for a repetition, implying a need for clarification.

What did you say

A very direct, and can sometimes be perceived as impolite, way to ask for repetition.

FAQs

How to use "could you repeat that" in a sentence?

You can use "could you repeat that" when you didn't hear or understand something someone said. For example: "I'm sorry, "could you repeat that", I didn't quite catch what you said."

What can I say instead of "could you repeat that"?

You can use alternatives like "could you say that again", "please repeat that", or "what did you say" depending on the context.

Is "could you repeat that please" more polite than "could you repeat that"?

Yes, adding "please" to ""could you repeat that"" generally makes the request sound more polite and courteous.

When is it appropriate to use "could you repeat that"?

It's appropriate to use ""could you repeat that"" in various situations where you need someone to say something again, whether due to not hearing them clearly, not understanding them, or needing clarification. This includes conversations at work, school, or with friends and family.