4 phrases · A1 · A2 · B1

When you are not sure in English

Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.

The phrases

Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.

  • I don't know

    A1

    Say honestly that you do not have the answer.

    मुझे नहीं पता।

    • I don't know.
    • I don't know his number, sorry.
    • I don't know yet — I will find out and tell you.

    Anywhere · say it as: I don't / know · used at work, interviews

  • I don't know how to {VERB}

    A2

    Say that you are missing a skill — without apologising for it.

    मुझे ___ करना नहीं आता।

    • I don't know how to use this software.
    • I don't know how to say this politely.
    • I don't know how to drive, but I am learning.

    As a question: Do you know how to fix this?

    Anywhere · say it as: I don't know / how to use this · used at work, college

  • As far as I know, {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Answer honestly when you believe something but are not certain.

    जहाँ तक मुझे पता है, ___।

    • As far as I know, the office is closed on Saturday.
    • As far as I know, nobody has replied yet.
    • As far as I know, the policy has not changed.

    Anywhere · say it as: As far as I know, / the office is closed · used at work, on the phone

  • I'm not sure whether {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Say plainly that you have not decided or do not know.

    मुझे पक्का नहीं पता कि ___।

    • I'm not sure whether this is the right approach.
    • I'm not sure whether they received the email.
    • I'm not sure whether I will be free on Friday.

    Anywhere · say it as: I'm not sure / whether this is right · used at work, college

What goes wrong

The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.

Commonly saidCorrect English

I'm not sure that it is right or not.

I'm not sure whether it is right.

"Whether" already carries the "or not". Using both makes the sentence fight itself.

Where you will need these

The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.

More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.

Reading it is not the same as saying it.

A phrase you have read is not a phrase you can reach for. CoCap makes you produce it, in a conversation, and corrects what comes out.

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