#316: Alternatives to ‘I Understand’ for Daily Conversations | Upgrade Your English

I understand.

There are two problems with that simple expression.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The words “I understand” are both accurate and useful. We use them to show:

• Readiness after a manager explains a new project and tasks
• Empathy when a customer shares a problem with a product or service
• Care when a friend talks about struggles and fear from a recent medical diagnosis

But here’s the issue:

First—native speakers and advanced speakers use a wide range of expressions to show understanding. And not all of them are obvious.

To avoid confusion, misunderstandings, and frustrations, I want you to know what those expressions are so you know exactly what they mean when you hear them.

Second—while “I understand” is clear and straightforward, it can limit what you really want to say. Maybe you want to respond more empathetically, respectfully, positively, or even professionally. Using the right phrase can help you do just that and create a more engaging conversation.

Most importantly, having a variety of expressions in your back pocket helps you avoid repetition and sound more natural.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll learn 19 new ways to say “I understand,” including when and how to use them in the right conversations.

Alternatives to I Understand for Daily Conversations | Upgrade Your English

Informal “I Understand” (Close Friends & Family)

Whether you’re speaking to your best friend, sibling, or another family member, or even coworkers in a casual workplace, these phrases are perfect alternatives to “I Understand”:

• Gotcha.
• Definition: A shortened version of “I’ve got you;” a simple alternative to “I understand.” We’ll talk more about “I’ve got you” in a moment.
• Example: “Gotcha. I’ll send the email right away.”
• Clear as day.
• Definition: Very easy to understand or clear to see.
• Example: “Your explanation was clear as day. I know exactly what to do now.”
• Roger that.
• Definition: A military expression used to acknowledge receipt and understanding of a message/request.
• Example: “Roger that. I’ll finish the report by noon.”
• I get the picture.
• Definition: To understand a situation described by another person.
• Example: “I get the picture. You need more time to complete the project.”
• I catch/get your drift.
• Definition: To understand the general idea of what someone’s saying.
• Example: “I get your drift. You want to change up our marketing strategy.”

Scenario 1 Imagine your best friend is describing her new job, and you’re unfamiliar with her role. After getting more details and clarification from her, you might say, “Ah, gotcha. I get the picture now. So, you’ll be analyzing market trends.”

Scenario 2 Or, perhaps you’re on your way to a family gathering, and your sibling calls asking you to run a series of errands before arriving. In response, and maybe even jokingly, you could say, “Roger that, boss! See you soon.”

Neutral “I Understand” (Friends, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Coworkers)

These phrases work well in a variety of situations as they are neither too casual or too formal. Listen carefully to people around you or to TV shows and podcasts in English to see if you can hear others using these expressions.

• Ah, I’ve got you.
• Definition: Used to say “I understand” or “I’ve got it covered.” This phrase is often used to reassure someone that a situation or problem has been taken care of or to indicate that someone has a firm grasp on what is being discussed or done. (The more informal version is gotcha, which we talked about previously.)
• Example: “Ah, I’ve got you. That makes sense now.”
• Makes sense.
• Definition: Used to say that something is logical or clear.
• Example: “Makes sense. I’ll start with the first step tomorrow.”
• I see.
• Definition: Used to express understanding of another person’s point of view or problem.
• Example: “I see. So, you think we need to revise the proposal.”
• Fair enough.
• Definition: Used to say that something is reasonable and expresses understanding.
• Example: “Fair enough. I can adjust the schedule accordingly.”
• I know what you mean.
• Definition: Used to express understanding, show empathy, or indicate you’ve had a similar experience.
• Example: “I know what you mean. I’ve been in that situation before.”
• I would feel the same.
• Definition: Used to validate, express empathy, and reflect the same thoughts and feelings as the speaker about a particular issue.
• Example: “I would feel the same if I were in your shoes.”
• I follow you./I’m following you.
• Definition: Used to express understanding, particularly of the speaker’s train of thought or complex explanation.
• Example: “I follow you. So, we need to gather more data first.”
• That’s clear.
• Definition: Used to express clear understanding.
• Example: “That’s clear. I’ll update the document with these changes.”
• I get the gist.
• Definition: Used to express a general or broad understanding of something.
• Example: “I get the gist. It sounds like we need to go back to review the proposal.”

Scenario 3 Imagine you’re new at work, and a coworker is explaining the process the team follows when contacting clients. After a long explanation, your coworker might ask whether you understand. In response, you’d say, “Yes, I follow you. Before contacting clients, I need to ensure these steps are completed.”

Scenario 4 Or, a good neighbor shares their frustration about significant home repairs due to water damage. You had a similar experience in the past, so you say, “I know exactly what you mean. I went through the same thing with my home a few years ago. Have you contacted a contractor?”

Formal “I Understand” (Strangers & Formal/Professional Settings)

Use these phrases with strangers or in formal/professional settings:

• Understood.
• Definition: Used to indicate acknowledgment of and comprehension of information. 
• Example: “Understood. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”
• All clear, thank you.
• Definition: Same as ‘that’s clear;’ More formal and polite.
• Example: “All clear, thank you. I’ll proceed as discussed.”
• I comprehend the situation.
• Definition: Used to express understanding, emphasizing awareness of the context, factors, and potential outcomes; to grasp the bigger picture.
• Example: “I comprehend the situation. We need to consider all possible impacts.”
• Point taken.
• Definition: Used to express understanding and acknowledgment of the other person’s point of view.
• Example: “Point taken. I’ll keep that in mind for future decisions.”
• Acknowledged.
• Definition: Similar to ‘understood.’ Used to express that information was received and registered. Not used to imply agreement or consideration.
• Example: “Acknowledged. I’ll ensure the team is informed.”

Scenario 5 For instance, your manager asks you to join a meeting and share your perspective on a company issue. After each person shares information, the manager asks if you have any questions. If you don’t, you might say, “No, I comprehend the situation. I’d like to know what steps have already been taken.”

Scenario 6 Or, you’re having a conversation with someone you’ve just met at a professional conference. You both discuss the speakers and share opposing opinions on the topics presented. You might feel the other person made some valid points but missed a particular issue. In response, you could say, “Point taken. I also believe the statistics were outdated. But, we can still see strong evidence of increased AI usage by teens and children.”

Remember, using different expressions not only makes your English sound more natural but also helps you connect better with others, whether you’re chatting with friends, talking to coworkers, or engaging in professional settings.

Also, I’d love for you to practice. What phrases from today’s lesson were new to you? 

Try using them in your own examples. You can follow my ‘scenarios’ as a template and share with me below.

All my best,

~ Annemarie

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