When you’re explaining something, a quick check that the listener gets it can save time and confusion. This guide—30 Other Ways to Say “does that make sense” (With Examples)—gives you friendly, natural alternatives you can use in conversations, emails, presentations, and teaching. Each option includes a short contextual story, a clear example, and the best use notes so you know when to choose it. Use these to confirm understanding, invite questions, and sound confident without repeating the same phrase over and over.
Another or Professional Way to Says “does that make sense”
- Do you follow?
- Is that clear?
- Any questions?
- Are you with me?
- Does that add up?
- Make sense?
- Clear so far?
- Sound right?
- Do you see what I mean?
- Are you tracking?
- Does that resonate?
- Is that clicking?
- Are we on the same page?
- Do you get the picture?
- Does that compute?
- Are you following along?
- Are you catching this?
- Can you relate to that?
- Does that clear things up?
- Any part unclear?
- Is that logical to you?
- Would you like me to clarify?
- Are there gaps I should fill?
- Do you grasp that?
- Got it?
- Shall I explain that differently?
- Does that answer your question?
- Are you comfortable with that?
- Would another example help?
- Any objections or concerns?
1. Do you follow?
A project manager used this phrase during a sprint planning meeting as she sketched tasks on a whiteboard. She paused often and asked, “Do you follow?” to make sure developers tracked the timeline and dependencies. The question felt casual but purposeful; team members relaxed and spoke up when they didn’t. It’s a gentle nudge that keeps people engaged and signals you expect an interactive response rather than silence. Use it to check sequential understanding—when one step leads to the next.
Example: “We finish the build on Tuesday, test Wednesday, deploy Friday—do you follow?”
Best use: Informal meetings, step-by-step walkthroughs, team check-ins.
2. Is that clear?
A teacher wrapped up a tricky grammar rule and asked, “Is that clear?” The tone was inviting, not condescending, which encouraged students to ask follow-up questions. This phrase works well after delivering a definition, rule, or policy. It’s slightly more formal than “Do you follow?” and signals that clarity matters. Use it when you’ve presented detailed or potentially ambiguous information and you want a direct confirmation.
Example: “We’ll submit the grant by the 15th—Is that clear?”
Best use: Classrooms, briefings, emails with important instructions.
3. Any questions?
During a product demo the presenter stopped and asked, “Any questions?” That opened the floor and made participants feel welcome to interrupt with clarifications or objections. It’s concise and shows you value audience input. However, silence doesn’t always mean understanding—some people need a specific prompt. Pair it with an invitation like, “If anything’s unclear, ask now.” Use it when you want to encourage discussion or surface concerns.
Example: “We’ll proceed with the plan next week. Any questions?”
Best use: Demos, Q&A segments, meetings where dialogue is expected.
4. Are you with me?
A consultant walks through a complex chart and casually asks, “Are you with me?” The tone creates rapport and signals the listener’s attention matters. This phrase suits spoken interactions where pacing and alignment matter—especially when you’re building a chain of thought. It’s informal and can be playful or earnest depending on delivery. Use it when you want to keep listeners synced during a live explanation.
Example: “If revenue stays steady and costs drop, profit grows—are you with me?”
Best use: Presentations, storytelling, when you need active attention.
5. Does that add up?
An analyst presented numbers and then asked, “Does that add up?”—inviting scrutiny of the math and assumptions. This phrase is ideal when logic or calculations are central. It signals you expect objective confirmation (or correction) rather than a vague nod. Use it when you want someone to mentally verify totals, timelines, or consequences.
Example: “Three teams working two weeks each gives us six total weeks—does that add up?”
Best use: Financial reviews, planning sessions, technical explanations.
6. Make sense?
A startup founder explained the product roadmap and finished with, “Make sense?” It’s short, friendly, and perfect for casual speech. People often respond with a quick “Yep” or a question, which keeps the flow moving. Use it when you want a speedy check without sounding formal. It’s best in relaxed environments where concise interactions are normal.
Example: “We’ll pivot the beta based on user tests—make sense?”
Best use: Informal conversations, chats, quick check-ins.
7. Clear so far?
In the middle of a long explanation, a trainer paused and said, “Clear so far?” That small break prevented cognitive overload and invited mid-point questions. It’s useful when the content is chunked—use it between sections to ensure comprehension before continuing. This makes listeners more likely to retain the following material.
Example: “We’ve covered essentials of the tool—clear so far?”
Best use: Workshops, tutorials, multi-part explanations.
8. Sound right?
After proposing a solution, a product lead asked the team, “Sound right?” It’s a confirmation phrase that invites judgment and alignment rather than passive acknowledgment. People often answer with adjustments or agreement, which helps refine the idea collaboratively. Use it when you want buy-in and practical feedback.
Example: “We’ll prioritize features A, B, and C—sound right?”
Best use: Strategy discussions, collaborative planning, seeking consensus.
9. Do you see what I mean?
A mentor used this when illustrating an abstract concept with a story. It’s empathetic and checks whether the metaphor or example landed. Use it when you’ve tried to reframe a point and want to know whether the new angle clarified things. It’s conversational and works well in one-on-one coaching or casual team talks.
Example: “Think of the backlog like a library—do you see what I mean?”
Best use: Teaching, mentoring, when using analogies or examples.
10. Are you tracking?
During a technical deep dive the engineer paused to ask, “Are you tracking?” This signals a check on attention and comprehension, often used when concepts stack on one another. It’s slightly more informal and works best with groups familiar with the subject. Use it to prevent people from drifting during dense explanations.
Example: “We push the commit, run CI, then merge—are you tracking?”
Best use: Tech talks, coding walkthroughs, layered explanations.
11. Does that resonate?
A speaker used this phrase after sharing a value statement to check emotional alignment. It’s less about literal comprehension and more about whether the idea connects. Use it when the message aims to persuade or inspire. It helps you gauge whether your wording matches the audience’s values or experience.
Example: “We want our product to feel effortless—does that resonate?”
Best use: Branding, leadership talks, persuasive communication.
12. Is that clicking?
A creative director described a visual concept, then asked, “Is that clicking?” It’s an informal, slightly playful alternative that asks whether the idea “clicked” in the listener’s head. Use it when you’ve used a metaphor or visual cue and want to confirm the moment of understanding. It works well with creative teams.
Example: “Imagine negative space guiding the eye—Is that clicking?”
Best use: Creative meetings, design reviews, when using visuals or metaphors.
13. Are we on the same page?
After outlining project roles, the team lead asked, “Are we on the same page?” This phrase checks shared understanding and expectations. It’s great when alignment matters across stakeholders. Use it to confirm everyone interprets requirements, timelines, or responsibilities the same way.
Example: “You’ll handle outreach; I’ll handle product—are we on the same page?”
Best use: Cross-functional meetings, agreements, onboarding.
14. Do you get the picture?
A storyteller stopped mid-story and asked, “Do you get the picture?” It invites the listener to visualize and confirm they understand the scene or sequence. Use it when the explanation relies on imagery or a mental model. The phrase is casual and engaging, especially in spoken narrative.
Example: “So she walks in, the lights go out—do you get the picture?”
Best use: Story-driven explanations, visual descriptions, presentations.
15. Does that compute?
In a playful moment, an analyst asked colleagues, “Does that compute?” It’s a light tech-flavored way to ask if the logic makes sense. It’s informal with a hint of nerdy charm. Use it when reasoning or algorithmic steps are involved and you want a quick logical check.
Example: “If X implies Y and Y implies Z, does that compute?”
Best use: Technical reasoning, logical arguments, data discussions.
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16. Are you following along?
A presenter kept the audience involved by occasionally saying, “Are you following along?” It’s a friendly check that encourages active listening. The phrase works well in live settings where attention can wander. Use it to pause, invite questions, or summarize before moving on.
Example: “We’ll cover A, then B, then C—are you following along?”
Best use: Lectures, webinars, long demos.
17. Are you catching this?
A coach used this to prompt trainees during fast-paced drills. It’s direct and a bit urgent—great for moments when missing info can cause mistakes. Use it when real-time comprehension matters, such as safety briefings or rapid procedures.
Example: “Step one, secure the line—are you catching this?”
Best use: Training, safety talks, fast-paced instruction.
18. Can you relate to that?
A speaker shared a customer story and asked, “Can you relate to that?” It’s an empathy-driven question checking whether the example connects personally. Use it when you want to build rapport, validate experiences, or encourage shared perspective. It’s softer than a comprehension check and taps into feelings.
Example: “She had trouble finding support—can you relate to that?”
Best use: Sales, customer success, empathy-building conversations.
19. Does that clear things up?
After explaining a fix, the technician asked, “Does that clear things up?” It’s explicit: you’ve provided clarification and now ask if the fog lifted. Use it when you’ve addressed confusion or resolved an issue and you want to confirm the result. It works well in support and troubleshooting contexts.
Example: “Restart the app and update—does that clear things up?”
Best use: Customer support, troubleshooting, clarification.
20. Any part unclear?
A facilitator used this to invite targeted questions, saying, “Any part unclear?” It’s specific and shows you’re open to drilling down into weak spots. Use it when you suspect partial confusion rather than blanket misunderstanding. This helps surface which exact element needs more explanation.
Example: “We covered schedule and budget—any part unclear?”
Best use: Complex briefings, layered instructions, workshops.
21. Is that logical to you?
An engineer explained a circuit design and asked, “Is that logical to you?” This phrase invites reasoning-based validation rather than emotional reaction. Use it to check whether someone accepts the flow of logic or assumptions behind your point. It’s perfect for analytical audiences.
Example: “Given constraints, this approach minimizes latency—Is that logical to you?”
Best use: Engineering, law, data-heavy discussions.
22. Would you like me to clarify?
A manager noticed puzzled faces and asked, “Would you like me to clarify?” It’s proactive and humble, giving the listener control to request more detail. Use it when you want to offer help without assuming misunderstanding. It’s polite and service-oriented—great for one-on-one talks or sensitive topics.
Example: “I can walk through the budget again—would you like me to clarify?”
Best use: Sensitive conversations, coaching, customer interactions.
23. Are there gaps I should fill?
After a status update, the presenter asked, “Are there gaps I should fill?” This invites specific points that need more detail. It shows responsibility and a willingness to be thorough. Use it when the audience may have missed pieces or when completeness matters.
Example: “I’ve covered milestones—are there gaps I should fill?”
Best use: Reporting, audits, detailed briefings.
24. Do you grasp that?
A senior teacher asked a student, “Do you grasp that?” It’s slightly formal and assesses deeper understanding rather than surface-level nodding. Use it when you need assurance that someone internalized a concept well enough to use it independently.
Example: “You’ll apply this formula to solve X—do you grasp that?”
Best use: Education, coaching, skill transfer.
25. Got it?
A colleague wrapped up instructions and asked, “Got it?” It’s short, direct, and common in casual workplaces. People usually reply with a quick “Got it” or a question. Use it when you want a fast confirmation and the environment is informal. Avoid it in highly formal contexts where it might sound brusque.
Example: “Send the report by noon—Got it?”
Best use: Quick tasks, chats, informal directives.
26. Shall I explain that differently?
When an explanation didn’t land, the facilitator offered, “Shall I explain that differently?” It’s collaborative and solution-oriented. Offering to reframe shows you care about the listener’s understanding and are flexible with your communication style. Use it if you suspect the audience needs another angle or simpler language.
Example: “If that’s confusing, shall I explain that differently?”
Best use: Teaching, cross-cultural communication, negotiations.
27. Does that answer your question?
During a customer call the rep ended a response with, “Does that answer your question?” It’s specific to Q&A situations and helps close the loop. Use it when someone asked something directly and you want to confirm you’ve satisfied their request. It signals closure unless they prompt further.
Example: “You can reset your password in settings—Does that answer your question?”
Best use: Customer support, FAQs, interview Q&A.
28. Are you comfortable with that?
After outlining a new policy, HR asked staff, “Are you comfortable with that?” It’s a softer approach that checks both understanding and emotional acceptance. Use it when decisions affect people’s routines, workloads, or feelings. This phrasing invites honest feedback about readiness, not just comprehension.
Example: “We’ll move to hybrid Fridays—Are you comfortable with that?”
Best use: Change management, HR, sensitive rollouts.
29. Would another example help?
A speaker noticed puzzled looks and suggested, “Would another example help?” Offering a concrete example can bridge abstract ideas to practical understanding. This question shows you’re attentive and ready to adapt your teaching style. Use it when metaphors or definitions haven’t fully clarified things.
Example: “If that’s vague, would another example help?”
Best use: Teaching, sales demos, concept explanations.
30. Any objections or concerns?
At the end of a proposal the chair asked, “Any objections or concerns?” It’s a slightly formal prompt that invites dissenting voices and ensures that silence doesn’t simply mean acceptance. Use it in decision-making contexts where you need explicit consent or to surface risks. People often feel safer voicing issues when invited this way.
Example: “We’ll approve the budget—Any objections or concerns?”
Best use: Meetings with decisions, approvals, governance.
Conclusion:
Having multiple ways to ask “does that make sense” helps you match tone, context, and audience. Use more casual checks like “Make sense?” with peers, and choose precise prompts like “Does that add up?” for analytical settings. Mix these phrases to stay engaging, show empathy, and surface misunderstandings early. Clear communication boosts productivity, trust, and learning—so pick a phrase that fits your style and the situation.
FAQs:
Q: Which alternative is best for formal emails?
A: Use phrases like “Is that clear?”, “Does that answer your question?”, or “Are there gaps I should fill?”—they’re polite and specific for written, formal contexts.
Q: What’s a friendly way to check understanding in a meeting?
A: Try “Are you with me?”, “Do you follow?”, or “Make sense?”—they’re conversational and encourage dialogue.
Q: How can I check understanding without sounding condescending?
A: Use collaborative, open phrases like “Would another example help?” or “Would you like me to clarify?” They assume shared responsibility for clarity rather than blaming the listener.
Q: Which phrase is best for technical explanations?
A: Try “Does that compute?”, “Does that add up?”, or “Is that logical to you?”—they invite analytical verification.
Q: How often should I pause to check understanding?
A: Pause after each major idea or chunk of content. In longer sessions aim for a check every 7–15 minutes or after each logical section to prevent overload.
