Page 113 - Bussiness English

 Are you asking if ...?
 Do you mean ...?

3. Reformulate the questions in your own words
The technique is often used because it offers several advantages:

 You’ll check that you understand correctly

 It will give you some time to think about the answer
 With a large of noisy audience, it allows other participants to hear

the question
 Finally, it gives you a chance to change the tone of the question

e.g. By making it sounds more interesting

Here are some useful expressions you can use:

 I see. So, what you are asking is ....
 If I understand you correctly, you want to know ...

 Okay let me just repeat your question so everyone can hear it.

 If I could just rephrase your question ...
4. Finally, check whether the questioner is satisfied with your answer

 Eye contact and a pause is often necessary. You may say:

 Does it answer your question?
 Is that okay?

 May we go on?

1. AVOIDING GIVING AN ANSWER

You don’t have to answer the question or

answer the question right there at the
moment in these situations:

1. If you don’t know the answer

If you don’t know the answer, be honest
and say so. Offer to find out, or refer to

another person who can answer the
question.

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