Do I Make Myself Clear?

First Published: 17th of December, 2020 by Patrick Carpen.

The English expression, “do I make myself clear?” means “do you understand me?” However, the expression “do I make myself clear” is normally used in very tense situations for example when arguing or when issuing warnings. The English expression “do I make myself clear?” has a connotation of forcefulness attached to it.

For example, a teacher talking to students during the Monday morning assembly said to them, “under no circumstance shall any of you leave this school compound on Friday afternoons during school hours and go swim in the creek! Do I myself clear?”

My friend Ciro from Sao Paulo and I were having a conversation a few days ago. He was explaining why he couldn’t leave his hometown to visit another city. His reasons included work and family ties, among others. After explaining, he said, “do I make myself clear?”

Ciro’s first language was Portuguese, and he was a student of English of a second language. Students of English as a second language might not always grasp the hidden connotation behind the expression, “do I make myself clear.”

I explained to Ciro that I understood his reasons, but that he should have said, “do you understand?” instead of “do I make myself clear?”

The expression “do I make myself clear?” is normally used to issue warnings or reinforce statements in a very tense situation. It is normally not used in polite or friendly situations. If you use the expression “do I make myself clear?” in a friendly conversation, it may sound insulting or rude.