What They Really Mean: Questions as Warnings

Mark can't understand why Chloe is asking about his hat. She's trying to warn him about something - but he just doesn't understand. Watch the video and learn how to tell when someone's questions are trying to warn you.

What They Really Mean shows how misunderstandings can be caused when people say things indirectly. Each episode shows you how to avoid these misunderstandings.

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[xujfidr]

This new series is really helpful! I guess you should continue with it

[maheshwmp]

Nicely explained. Thank you for this useful topic.

[okyxtqj]

Thank you for everything, I appreciate that.

[martymitch]

Glad these two guys climbed up the doortrap of that grammar quiz show :-D

[irinalyuta]

Thank you very much! Useful video 👍. I like you give several examples.

[hantaling]

i use this technique in my family and marriage counselling. in several occasions couple fails to understand each others. "What do they mean" is best techniques for marital and couple counselling.

[mariellaferrari]

Thank you, very good tone....it's different meaning, you might be easily misunderstood !!!

[anglexdangle]

I love the BBC Learning English team <3 All of them, although I always find Levington (Mark) specially hilarious

[idraote]

To my ears "Are you really wearing that hat?" (statement tone) sounds just as blunt (read "rude") as "You look silly in that hat".
A polite "That hat is probably not a good choice", if told by a friend, feels far more straightforward and caring.

[KA-oupw]

I love this series. This episode is quite tricky.

[CRC]

The grammar show's cast!!! I missed Will and Leslie! Thumbs up!

[nourad]

I like this question is very benfits because the other need to understand what we need

[khagani]

I belive, I can learn english with them...

[estebangudino]

British people can be so polite... can't she just say 'Take off that silly hat'? Cx

[NovaKivN]

Instead of using the question "Are you really wearing that hat?" how about this sentence "I think you want to choose another hat". Is it polite? I think if the woman uses the sentence then the man will ask the woman "Why you think I want to choose another hat?" and the woman will say her opinion and the man doesn't have to find the answer for woman's question. I mean with the sentence the man will always understand what is the woman's meaning.

[sago]

I think this is the way that most likely girls like to use of communication :D

[raed]

I think she's being sarcastic about him.

[brigittesaint-pe]

Hello Everyone
French people are frank enough to say : I am sorry but you would better off not wearing that hat. You look like a bit ridiculous .By this way, the guy won't be disappointed when he leaves the party. I think sometimes English people split hairs for nothing