repeat that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repeat that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to say something again for clarification or emphasis. Example: "I didn't catch what you said earlier; could you please repeat that?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I cannot repeat that".

The New York Times - Sports

"Let me repeat that".

The New York Times

I'll just repeat that.

The Guardian - Travel

I will repeat that.

The Guardian

Could he repeat that?

The New York Times

Let's not repeat that mistake.

The New York Times

Perhaps I should repeat that.

The Guardian - Opinion

And never repeat that again.

The Guardian

Let's repeat that: 1,464.

The Guardian

JUNG Would you repeat that, please?

The New York Times

Let's not repeat that mistake this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the level of formality required. If you need to be more polite, use a longer phrasing like "Could you please repeat that?".

Common error

While "repeat that" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "reiterate that point" or "restate that for clarity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "repeat that" primarily functions as an imperative, used to directly request someone to reiterate something they have already said. Ludwig AI confirms this with multiple examples of its use in dialogues and news reports where clarification is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

5%

Less common in

The New Yorker

3%

Forbes

1%

BBC

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "repeat that" is a common and generally correct imperative used to request clarification or reiteration. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the level of formality required by the situation and choose alternatives like "restate that" or "reiterate that" for more formal settings. Remember to avoid redundant phrasings like "repeat that again" for clearer communication. This phrase is considered to have a neutral register, leaning toward informal, making it suitable for many, but not all, communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say that again

Emphasizes a simple request to hear something once more.

restate that

Suggests a request for the information to be conveyed in different words.

could you say that again

Adds a polite tone to the request.

can you reiterate that

Implies a need for emphasis or clarification of a previously stated point.

would you mind repeating that

Introduces a higher level of politeness and formality.

please, say that again

Adds emphasis and politeness to the request.

run that by me again

Suggests needing a clearer or simpler explanation.

say it once more

Offers a slightly more informal way to ask for repetition.

what was that

A casual way of asking someone to repeat themselves, often used when not clearly hearing something.

come again

A colloquial and somewhat informal way to ask for a repetition. Use with caution as it can be misinterpreted.

FAQs

How can I use "repeat that" in a sentence?

You can use "repeat that" to ask someone to say something again, like in the sentence, "I didn't hear you clearly; could you please repeat that?"

What are some alternatives to saying "repeat that"?

Instead of saying "repeat that", you can use phrases like "say that again", "restate that", or "can you reiterate that".

Is it correct to say "repeat that again"?

While commonly used, "repeat that again" can be seen as redundant because "repeat" already implies doing something again. It's generally better to simply say "repeat that".

When is it appropriate to use "repeat that" versus "say that again"?

"Repeat that" and "say that again" are often interchangeable. "Repeat that" might be slightly more direct, while "say that again" is a bit more conversational.