Meaning
A polite request for someone to say something again.
Primary Function
Asking for repetition
Communicative Purpose
To get information you missed
Pattern
Could you repeat; that
Core Structure
Could you repeat; that
Função primária
Asking for repetition
Propósito comunicativo
To get information you missed
Situações de gatilho
Phone calls, conversations, lectures
Contextos
Professional, everyday, academic
Padrão
Could you repeat; that
Estrutura central
Could you repeat; that
Slots de substituição
that → the previous utterance or part of speech just heard
Colocados típicos
- please
- sorry
- I'm sorry
Substituições comuns
- Would you mind repeating that?
- Can you say that again?
Erros comuns
'Can you repeat that again' is redundant because 'repeat' already implies doing it once more; 'again' adds no meaning.
Similar / contraste
What did you say?, Pardon?, I didn't catch that.
Interferências
'Repeat' can sometimes be misinterpreted as instructing someone to do something else (e.g., "repeat" in a command context), but the surrounding discourse clarifies it means "say again."
Família do chunk
- Repetition requests: Say again?
- Once more?
- I didn't get that.
Nuance
The phrase conveys politeness and respect without sounding demanding; its register fits formal or informal professional settings alike.
Efeito pragmático
Efficiently resolves moments of misunderstanding, maintaining smooth communication flow.
Dica de memória
Sorry, repeat
Nota
This chunk is used to request clarification when something was not heard or understood. It is polite and appropriate in various contexts, from professional to casual conversations.
Upgrade path
Could you repeat that, please?
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