The phrase “Does that make sense?” shows up constantly in workplace conversations, meetings, and everyday explanations. Most people use it automatically after sharing information.
This question creates unnecessary pressure. Listeners often feel obligated to nod and agree, even when genuinely confused. It also signals uncertainty about your own communication.
Simple alternatives work better. They invite honest responses and demonstrate confidence in your message while encouraging real dialogue.
What to Say Instead of “Does That Make Sense?” (20 Cool Ideas)
The alternatives below will help you sound more confident while creating space for genuine dialogue. Each option serves a slightly different purpose, so you can choose the one that fits your situation perfectly.
1. “How does that sound to you?”
This phrase invites genuine feedback rather than a simple yes or no response. When you ask how something sounds, you’re opening the door for your listener to share their honest reaction. They might say it sounds great, confusing, or they might want to discuss specific parts that caught their attention.
The beauty of this approach lies in its collaborative tone. You’re not testing their comprehension—you’re asking for their perspective. This works particularly well in business settings when you’re proposing ideas or explaining processes. Your listener feels like a partner in the conversation rather than a student being quizzed.
2. “What questions do you have?”
Direct and professional, this phrase assumes your listener is engaged and might want clarification on specific points. Instead of putting them on the spot about their overall understanding, you’re permitting them to ask about anything that interests or confuses them.
This approach works especially well after presentations or detailed explanations. It creates a natural pause where people can process what they’ve heard and identify what they’d like to explore further. The phrasing also suggests that having questions is normal, which encourages participation.
3. “I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.”
Sometimes you want more than just confirmation that someone understood you. This phrase invites deeper engagement and shows that you value their input. It transforms your explanation into the beginning of a discussion rather than the end of a lecture.
This works beautifully when you’re sharing ideas with colleagues, brainstorming with friends, or seeking feedback from clients. You’re essentially saying, “I’ve shared my perspective, now I want yours.” It creates a more balanced dynamic in your conversations.
4. “Feel free to stop me if anything needs clarification.”
This proactive approach puts your listener in control. Instead of waiting until the end to check for understanding, you’re giving them ongoing permission to interrupt when they need help. It’s particularly effective during longer explanations or training sessions.
The phrase shows confidence in your teaching abilities while acknowledging that everyone learns differently. Some people need to ask questions immediately when confusion arises, while others prefer to wait. This gives both types of learners the green light to engage in their preferred way.
5. “What part would you like me to expand on?”
This question assumes your listener is following along, but might want more detail in certain areas. It’s a sophisticated way to check for understanding while offering to provide additional value. Instead of treating clarification as fixing a problem, you’re framing it as enhancing the conversation.
This approach works wonderfully in educational settings, client meetings, or when you’re sharing expertise. It positions you as someone generous with their knowledge and eager to help others succeed. Your listener doesn’t feel like they’re failing to keep up—they feel like they’re getting customized attention.
6. “Are you with me so far?”
Casual and friendly, this phrase creates a checkpoint in your conversation without sounding formal or intimidating. It’s perfect for informal discussions where you want to maintain a relaxed atmosphere while ensuring everyone is following the thread.
The phrase works particularly well when you’re walking someone through a process step by step. It feels natural to pause and check in, almost like you’re taking a collaborative journey together. Your listener can easily nod and let you continue, or pause to discuss something unclear.
7. “How are you feeling about what we’ve covered?”
This question acknowledges that understanding isn’t just intellectual—it’s emotional too. When you ask how someone feels about information, you’re recognizing that they might be overwhelmed, excited, confused, or curious. It’s a more holistic way to check in.
This approach shines in situations where the information you’re sharing might be complex or emotionally charged. Maybe you’re explaining a new work process that will change someone’s daily routine, or sharing news that will impact their future. Their feelings about the information are just as important as their comprehension of it.
8. “What connections are you making?”
This phrase encourages active learning and critical thinking. Instead of just checking whether someone understood your words, you’re asking them to relate the information to their existing knowledge or experience. It’s a deeper level of engagement that often leads to rich discussions.
This question works exceptionally well in educational settings or when you’re sharing insights that might connect to your listener’s personal or professional experience. You’re not just delivering information—you’re helping someone integrate new knowledge into their existing framework of understanding.
9. “I want to make sure I’m being clear here.”
This phrase takes responsibility for communication clarity rather than putting the burden on your listener. It shows humility and concern for effective communication. When someone hears this, they know you care about being understood and are willing to adjust your approach if needed.
This self-reflective approach can be especially powerful when you’re discussing technical topics or giving important instructions. It creates psychological safety for your listener to admit confusion without feeling like they’re the problem. You’re essentially saying the responsibility for clear communication rests with you, not them.
10. “What would be helpful to go over again?”
This collaborative question assumes there might be value in revisiting certain points without suggesting anyone wasn’t paying attention the first time. Sometimes people benefit from hearing important information multiple times, or they realize after processing that they want to explore certain aspects more deeply.
The phrasing also gives your listener control over what gets repeated. Maybe they understood everything except one crucial step, or perhaps they want to hear your explanation of a key concept again to make sure they’ve got it right. This approach makes repetition feel like value-added service rather than remedial help.
11. “I’m curious about your perspective on this.”
When you express curiosity about someone’s viewpoint, you’re elevating them from passive recipient to active participant. This phrase works especially well when you’ve shared information that might be interpreted differently based on someone’s background, role, or experience.
This approach transforms your explanation into a dialogue. You’re not just checking for comprehension—you’re inviting analysis, interpretation, and discussion. It’s particularly effective in professional settings where different perspectives can lead to better solutions or deeper understanding.
12. “What stands out to you most?”
This question helps your listener prioritize and process the information you’ve shared. Instead of asking them to confirm they understood everything equally, you’re acknowledging that some points naturally resonate more than others. It’s a way of checking for both understanding and engagement.
This approach often reveals what your listener finds most relevant or surprising, which can guide the rest of your conversation. Maybe the point they highlight isn’t what you expected to be most important, but their perspective helps you understand their priorities and concerns.
13. “Should I slow down or speed up?”
This meta-question about pacing shows you’re attuned to your listener’s needs and willing to adjust accordingly. Some people process information quickly and get bored with slow explanations, while others need time to absorb each point before moving on.
By asking about pacing, you’re demonstrating flexibility and consideration. You’re also giving your listener permission to advocate for their learning style. This can be especially valuable in training situations or when explaining complex processes where the speed of delivery really impacts comprehension.
14. “What examples would help clarify this for you?”
This question acknowledges that abstract concepts often become clearer with concrete illustrations. Instead of assuming your initial explanation was sufficient, you’re offering to bridge the gap between theory and application with personalized examples.
This approach is particularly powerful because it invites your listener to think about their own context. They might request examples related to their industry, their role, or situations they’re familiar with. This makes the information more relevant and memorable while ensuring they truly understand how to apply what they’ve learned.
15. “How does this relate to what you already know?”
This question encourages your listener to actively connect new information to their existing knowledge base. It’s based on the learning principle that we understand new concepts better when we can link them to familiar ones. By asking this question, you’re facilitating that connection process.
This approach often leads to rich discussions where your listener shares their experience, and you can build bridges between what they know and what you’re teaching. It’s particularly effective when you’re introducing concepts that might seem completely new but actually relate to principles or processes your listener already understands.
16. “What would you add to this?”
This phrase positions your listener as someone who might have valuable insights to contribute rather than just information to absorb. It’s especially effective when you’re speaking with someone who has relevant experience or expertise, even if it’s different from yours.
By asking what they would add, you’re acknowledging that your explanation might not be complete and that their perspective could enhance everyone’s understanding. This creates a collaborative atmosphere and often leads to discussions that benefit both parties.
17. “I want to pause here and see if you have reactions.”
The word “reactions” is broader than “questions” and invites a wider range of responses. Someone might react with surprise, concern, excitement, or skepticism—all of which are valuable feedback that can guide the rest of your conversation.
This approach acknowledges that people often have emotional or intuitive responses to information before they form specific questions. By creating space for these reactions, you’re showing that you value the whole person, not just their analytical thinking.
18. “How confident are you feeling about this?”
This question addresses the emotional side of understanding. Someone might intellectually grasp a concept but feel uncertain about applying it, or they might understand the basics but lack confidence in their mastery. By asking about confidence levels, you can identify where additional support might be needed.
This approach is particularly valuable in training or coaching situations where confidence affects performance. Someone might understand the steps of a process but need more practice or encouragement before they feel ready to implement it independently.
19. “What would make this clearer for you?”
This question puts your listener in charge of identifying what type of help they need. Maybe they want a visual diagram, a real-world example, or just a chance to repeat back what they understood. By asking what would help, you’re offering to customize your communication style to their needs.
This collaborative approach often results in more effective clarification because your listener can request exactly what would be most helpful for their learning style. It also shows that you’re genuinely committed to ensuring they understand, not just going through the motions of checking.
20. “Let me know if you want me to approach this differently.”
This phrase shows ultimate flexibility and puts your listener’s needs first. Maybe your logical, step-by-step explanation isn’t clicking, and they’d prefer a big-picture overview first. Or perhaps they learn better through discussion than through presentation.
By offering to change your approach entirely, you’re demonstrating that effective communication matters more to you than sticking to your preferred explanation style. This level of adaptability often builds trust and leads to a much better understanding.
Wrapping Up
The next time you catch yourself about to ask, “Does that make sense?” pause for just a moment. Consider what you really want to know and what would be most helpful for your listener.
These alternatives aren’t just different words—they’re different approaches to communication. They create space for genuine dialogue, build confidence, and show respect for your listener’s experience and perspective. Your conversations will feel more natural, and you’ll actually get better feedback about whether your message is landing the way you intended.
Choose the phrase that fits your situation and your personality. With practice, these alternatives will start to feel just as natural as your old standby, but they’ll serve you so much better.