If you want to ask somebody about their opinion on a particular subject,  how would you ask the question?

Let’s imagine that you want to ask someone’s opinion about  ‘surfing’… how would you ask their opinion?

We’re sure that you can think of at least one way to put forward the question…

Can you think of a few different ways?  How did you go?

Maybe we can help you out -

Here are a few ways you can ask the question.

The usual ways…

1. What’s your opinion on surfing?
2. What are your views on surfing?
3. What’s your perspective on surfing?
4. How do you consider surfing?

More casual ways…

1. What do you think about surfing?
2. How do you feel about surfing?
3. What would you say about surfing?
4. What’s your take on surfing?
5. How do you see surfing?

Particular kind of opinion…

1. What’s your honest opinion about surfing?
2. Would you tell me your informed opinions on surfing?
3. Please tell me your personal opinions about surfing…

As you can see,  there are so many ways to ask someone about their opinion.

Can you think of any other way to ask someone for their opinion on a subject?

When you’re having a conversation, it’s common to not understand everything you hear, no matter how focused you are. You need to express this to the other person in a way that is appropriate to the situation. There are many ways to do this, and here we’ll look at some of the ways you can do just that.

Simple ways

You can just express your lack of understanding, in a few words.
Here are some examples:

1. Pardon?
2. Pardon me?
3. (I) Beg your pardon!
4. Excuse me?
5. What did you say?
6. What was that?
7. Sorry?
8. Huh? (informal)
9. What? (informal and sometimes rude)

Slang

1. Come again?
2. Say what?
3. Pass that by me again?

Slightly longer ways

Quite often, you might want to say it with a few more words.
Examples:

1. I’m afraid I don’t get your idea.
2. I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you just said.
3. Sorry. I can’t follow what you’re saying to me.
4. Unfortunately, I can’t clearly make sense of what you’re telling me.
5. I’m a bit confused. Do you mind explaining it again?
6. I’m afraid I’m unclear about what you mean.
7. Would you mind clarifying what you said? I’m afraid I don’t follow.
8. I simply don’t catch what you’re saying. Sorry.

Using idioms

There are many idioms that express the idea that you don’t understand. Using idioms can also add colour and interest to your communication. Just make sure that you know how to use them!
Examples:

1. I’m afraid that it’s as clear as mud to me.
2. It’s all Greek to me, I’m afraid.
3. I’m sorry. I can’t make head or tail of what you’re saying.

We hope you have a better idea about what to say, when you don’t understand what you hear. Of course, there are many more ways to express the same thing. You’re welcome to add the other ways of expressing this, through the comments section. Good luck!