If you’re looking for how to say “not understanding” professionally or using different words, you’ve come to the right place!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of helpful words and phrases that you can use instead of “not understanding” in both formal and informal settings.
Other Ways to Say “Not Understanding”
- Perplexed
- Missing the point
- Misunderstanding
- Incomprehension
- Bewilderment
- Confusion
- Blankness
- Disorientation
- Misapprehending
- Misconceiving
- Misinterpreting
- Failing to understand
- Not getting the point
- Muddling up
- Discombobulation
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- It is perfectly correct to say “not understanding” at work or in informal circumstances.
- “Perplexed” is a good formal alternative to “not understanding” that you can use in formal correspondence or at work.
- In informal circumstances, you can say that someone is “missing the point.”
Stick around! In the next section, we’ll discuss our top formal and informal synonyms for “not understanding” in more detail. We’ll even provide some helpful examples!
After that, we’ll consider when it is correct to use the original phrase, “not understanding.”
Perplexed (Formal)
If you’re unsure how to professionally say you are “not understanding” something, we would recommend simply saying that you are “perplexed.”
“Perplexed” is a great formal synonym that simply means you are puzzled or confused.
It can be rather embarrassing to admit to your lack of understanding, especially at work. However, saying you are “perplexed” keeps things cautiously vague.
After all, if you say you are “not understanding,” this implies the problem is your lack of comprehension.
Meanwhile, when you say you are “perplexed,” this could imply that the instructions you have received are difficult to understand, meaning the problem does not lie solely with you.
Thus, “perplexed” is a slightly better word for “not understanding” in a professional setting. Namely because you can use it without coming across as incompetent.
Consider the example below to see this phrase in action:
I am rather perplexed about the format of the memorandum.
You can also use this phrase to express your confusion in an email to a colleague at work.
Have a look at this sample email to see what we mean:
Dear Hind,
I appreciate the reminder.
However, I am rather perplexed as to why the meeting is being held so far from our respective offices.
Kind regards,
Mirelle
Missing the Point (Informal)
Another way to say “not understanding” in an informal setting is “missing the point.”
You can use this synonym to let someone know casually that they have failed to understand your instructions or have failed to grasp the important aspects of a situation.
We wouldn’t recommend that you use this phrase when speaking to a client or in an email to a superior. They may take offense!
However, if you have a friendly rapport with your coworkers, you can generally use more casual phrasing when discussing work matters.
To learn how to tell someone they’re “not understanding” something in a social setting, check out this example:
I think you may be missing the point here, Carlisle.
Next, let’s see how you can use this alternative in a work email to your confused colleague:
Hi Nathan,
Thank you for your efforts, but I think you might be missing the point of the brief.
Why don’t we have a meeting this afternoon to make things clearer?
All the best,
Jodi
Is It Correct to Say “Not Understanding”?
The phrase “not understanding” is perfectly grammatically correct and suitable to use in both casual and professional circumstances.
There are certainly more formal options available if you want to come across a certain way at work. However, no one would bat an eye if you were to use the original phrase in most workplaces.
You can use the phrase “not understanding” in reference to yourself or someone else.
In other words, it’s perfectly correct to say “I am not understanding” when you want a clearer explanation of something.
It would also be correct to say “I don’t understand” instead of “I am not understanding.” Both of these phrases are grammatically correct, and they can be used interchangeably.
However, “I don’t understand” comes across as slightly tonally different to “I am not understanding.”
The former phrase sounds a tad more abrupt. Therefore, it may be best to only use it when you are speaking to someone of equal rank to you at work.
When you’re speaking to a superior or a client, it may be better to say “I am not understanding,” as this will come across as slightly more tentative and polite.
If you think you might make use of our list of synonyms for “not understanding” in the future, you can go ahead and bookmark this page!
That way, you can return whenever you need a refresher.