11 Ways to say 'I understand'
Harry
Better ways to say I understand you
So what am I going to talk about today in this lesson? In this lesson, we’re going to look at some English expressions.
And we’re going to look at better ways to say I understand in English. Better ways to say I understand.
Understand is a really interesting word because we use it to tell people that we accept and acknowledge what they’re trying to tell us.
I understand what you mean.
I understand what you’re trying to say.
I understand the position.
I understand the problem.
There are many other ways in which we can say the same thing. So what I want to do is I want to go through them one by one.
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I get the idea/point
Meaning: I understand what you’re trying to tell me
For example, somebody is trying to explain to you where a marketing campaign went wrong.
I get the idea. I get your point. It would have been a better plan if we’d used social media.
The second one, a very short one
I get it
Meaning: quite an informal way to say I understand
That’s the sort of response that you’re likely to get from the kids.
Yeah, I get it. It’s important to clean the dishes away after the meal.
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Now, this word,
gotcha
Meaning: I get you
It’s not a real English word. It’s very, very American.
Don’t use it.😉
Better ways to say I understand you
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fair enough
Meaning: I understand; that’s okay; it works for me if it works for you
It could be the negotiation at the end of a job interview.
You’ve gone through two or three stages of that job interview, and the new boss is trying to tell you what’s expected of you.
Yeah, that’s fair enough. That’s acceptable to me if it’s acceptable to you.
I hear you
Meaning: I understand the point you’re trying to make
I hear you, but we need to do something about it.
It doesn’t necessarily mean, you’re going to do anything about it.
It’s a phrase the politicians use.
Yeah, I hear you. I understand the concerns of the people in the neighbourhood.
Better ways to say I understand you
that makes sense
Meaning: this is quite a formal way to say that you can understand
I understand. That makes sense. How can we operate this unless we have some rules?
That makes sense. The parents are not allowed to go beyond the school gates.
I’m with you
Meaning: you are in agreement with somebody, with what they are saying
I’m with you. We’ve got some issues with selling this product.
We’re all behind the leader of the team. We understand the seriousness of the situation.
Speak better English with Harry - Episode 356
The next one is slightly informal
I know what you mean
Meaning: I understand the point exactly
This could literally mean anything. You could understand somebody, or you could dare disagree with them. Or you could be very against them. When you say ‘I know what you mean’ it means I get it.
I know what you mean. It’s difficult to fall asleep if they’re playing loud music.
I see where you’re coming from
This is quite strange and it has nothing to do with direction.
Meaning: I understand what you’re trying to say; I see the point
I see where you’re coming from. Going to bed at 10.30 pm is really important for you.
Better ways to say I understand you
I catch your drift
This is very very informal. Drift is what’s in the air.
Meaning: I understand the point
I catch your drift. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating. And we should all do something about it.
comprehend
We often use it in the negative form.
I fail to comprehend.
This is very formal. You won’t see it very often. It is mostly used in legal documents.
If you comprehend the terms and agree to them, please sign here.
Okay, so these are all better ways to say I understand.
Let me repeat them to you one more time:
- I get the idea/point
- I get it
- Gotcha
- Fair enough
- I hear you
- That makes sense
- I’m with you
- I know what you mean
- I see where you’re coming from
- I catch your drift
- I (don’t/fail to) comprehend
I really appreciate you joining me. If you don’t understand or don’t comprehend any of this, feel free to contact me at www.englishlessonviaskype.com. Always really happy to get your feedback. If there are any comments you have, anything you would like me to include, anything you’re having problems with, why don’t you write to me, and I’ll make a video out of it.
If you would like to start online English lessons, don’t forget to book your trial lesson.
I look forward to joining you again soon.
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below: englishclass101
Adjectives to describe feelings in English
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC or British Council – Learn English online
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