I’ve learned that even when something “Doesn’t Make Sense,” the way you frame it matters because finding the right words makes a huge difference. When you’re trying to communicate clearly and kindly, just saying something outright can sometimes come across as abrupt or even dismissive. I noticed that people reacted more openly when I chose thoughtful alternatives that convey the same idea while maintaining empathy, warmth, and clarity. During times of giving feedback, I found my phrases could carry more weight than the actual point itself, shaping how the message was received.
Instead of being sharp, I started asking for clarification or expressing confusion in ways that felt more personal and constructive. These shifts made others feel understood and respected, and they often shared more openly as a result. I discovered that these small efforts to adjust language really help keep conversations smooth, supportive, and positive. Over time, I saw how careful word choice not only built trust but also strengthened relationships, allowing me to address tough situations without losing respect or connection.
Finding the right words can make all the difference when you’re trying to communicate clearly and kindly. Saying something “doesn’t make sense” can sometimes come across as abrupt or dismissive. By using thoughtful alternatives, you can convey the same idea while maintaining empathy, warmth, and clarity. Whether you’re giving feedback, asking for clarification, or expressing confusion, these phrases can help your message feel more personal and constructive.
What Does “Doesn’t Make Sense” Mean?
The phrase “doesn’t make sense” is used when something is confusing, illogical, or unclear. It highlights a disconnect between expectation and reality, or between reasoning and understanding. While the phrase is widely understood, it can sometimes sound blunt, especially in professional or sensitive contexts.
When to Use “Doesn’t Make Sense”
You can use this phrase when:
- You need to clarify confusion in a conversation or discussion.
- You are giving constructive feedback on logic, processes, or decisions.
- You want to express doubt or seek an explanation politely.
It’s most effective when paired with curiosity or a willingness to understand.
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “Doesn’t Make Sense”?
While understandable, saying “doesn’t make sense” can sometimes feel critical or dismissive, depending on tone. Alternatives like “I’m not quite following”, “this is a bit unclear”, or “I’m having trouble understanding” can sound more empathetic and collaborative, especially in professional or sensitive conversations.
Pros or Cons of Saying “Doesn’t Make Sense”
Pros
- Direct and easily understood
- Quickly signals confusion or disagreement
Cons
- Can come across as dismissive or critical
- Lacks warmth or collaboration
- May cause defensiveness if tone is blunt
Doesn’t Make Sense Synonyms:
- I’m Not Following
- This Is Confusing
- I’m Having Trouble Understanding
- This Doesn’t Add Up
- I’m Lost
- This Seems Off
- I Can’t Make Sense of This
- This Doesn’t Compute
- I’m Perplexed
- This Seems Illogical
- I’m Struggling to Understand
- This Is Puzzling
- I’m Baffled
- This Doesn’t Seem Right
- I’m Having Difficulty Grasping This
- This Doesn’t Sit Right
- I’m Not Clear on This
- This Seems Conflicting
- I’m Unsure I Understand
- This Doesn’t Quite Add Up
- I Can’t Follow This
- This Is Hard to Understand
- I’m Confused
- This Doesn’t Seem Logical
- I’m Finding This Difficult to Grasp
- This Seems Unclear
- I’m Not Certain I Follow
- This Seems Incoherent
- I’m Perplexed by This
- This Doesn’t Ring True
- I’m Having Difficulty Following
- This Appears Illogical
- I’m Finding This Confusing
- This Seems Contradictory
- I’m Not Grasping This
I’m Not Following
Meaning:
Expressing confusion or difficulty understanding.
Explanation:
Softens the statement by showing personal struggle rather than criticizing logic.
Example:
I’m not following this step. Could you explain it again?”
Best Use:|
Professional meetings, collaborative discussions.
Worst Use:
Situations requiring firm disagreement.
Tone:
Curious, polite, collaborative.
This Is Confusing
Meaning:
Something is unclear or hard to understand.
Explanation:
State confusion without blaming the other person, focusing on clarity.
Example:
The instructions are a bit confusing; could you clarify the last part?”
Best Use:
Emails, instructions, and teamwork.
Worst Use:
Overly casual personal arguments.
Tone:
Neutral, gentle, constructive.
I’m Having Trouble Understanding
Meaning:
Personal acknowledgment of difficulty grasping the idea.
Explanation:
Make the statement about your experience rather than their mistake, promoting open dialogue.
Example:
I’m having trouble understanding this report; can we review it together?”
Best Use:
Feedback, learning environments.
Worst Use:
High-stakes decision conflicts where clarity is urgent.
Tone:
Empathetic, professional, patient.
This Doesn’t Add Up
Meaning:
Something seems illogical or inconsistent.
Explanation:
Highlights a logical gap without being dismissive, pointing out discrepancies in reasoning.
Example:
The budget numbers don’t add up; could we double-check the calculations?”
Best Use:
Analytical discussions, reports, projects.
Worst Use:
Casual debates or emotional conversations.
Tone:
Neutral, factual, precise.
I’m Lost
Meaning:
Feeling unclear or unsure about a topic.
Explanation:
SA simple and informal way to indicate confusion, making the discussion approachable.
Example:
“I’m lost with this part of the plan-can we go over it again?”
Best Use:
Team meetings, learning environments.
Worst Use:
Formal professional emails without context.
Tone:
Friendly, casual, polite.
This Seems Off
Meaning:
Something feels incorrect or doesn’t align.
Explanation:
Gently flags inconsistency or error, inviting clarification or correction.
Example:
The timeline seems off compared to the project milestones; can we review it?”
Best Use:
Team discussions, project feedback.
Worst Use:
Confrontational situations without softening language.
Tone:
Neutral, collaborative.
I Can’t Make Sense of This
Meaning:
Indicates personal difficulty understanding.
Explanation:
Puts the focus on your perspective rather than blaming logic or intent.
Example:
“I can’t make sense of the last paragraph; can you elaborate?”
Best Use:
Emails, explanations, collaborative work.
Worst Use:
Informal confrontations with emotional tone.
Tone:
Polite, curious, non-judgmental.
This Doesn’t Compute
Meaning:
Something feels illogical or contradicts reasoning.
Explanation:
Lightly humorous or informal, often used to highlight logical gaps.
Example:
This sequence of events doesn’t compute-how did we get here?”
Best Use:
Casual professional or informal discussions.
Worst Use:
Highly formal or sensitive conversations.
Tone:
Informal, light, slightly humorous.
I’m Perplexed
Meaning:
Confused or uncertain about understanding.
Explanation:
A formal and polite way to express confusion without being dismissive.
Example:
“I’m perplexed by this methodology-could you walk me through it?”
Best Use:
Academic, professional, analytical settings.
Worst Use:
Casual everyday conversation.
Tone:
Formal, respectful, curious.
This Seems Illogical
Meaning:
Lacking coherence or reasoning.
Explanation:
Highlights an inconsistency or gap in reasoning while remaining professional.
Example:
“This approach seems illogical, given the current data-let’s review alternatives.”
Best Use:
Professional reports, problem-solving discussions.
Worst Use:
Emotional or casual debates.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, analytical.
I’m Struggling to Understand
Meaning:
Experiencing difficulty grasping the concept.
Explanation:
Centers the confusion on yourself rather than the other person, encouraging collaboration and patience.
Example:
“I’m struggling to understand this part of the strategy. Could you explain further?”
Best Use:
Team discussions, learning environments.
Worst Use:
High-pressure situations require immediate clarification.
Tone:
Empathetic, collaborative.
This Is Puzzling
Meaning:
Something is confusing or hard to interpret.
Explanation:
Suggests genuine curiosity, inviting further explanation without judgment.
Example:
“Your findings are interesting but puzzling. Can you clarify the methodology?”
Best Use:
Research, analysis, professional discussions.
Worst Use:
Casual disagreements where humor might be misread.
Tone:
Neutral, inquisitive.
I’m Baffled
Meaning:
Totally confused or surprised by something unexpected.
Explanation:
Expresses strong confusion without assigning blame; can add a touch of humor or curiosity.
Example:
“I’m baffled by this report; the numbers don’t seem to match the projections.”
Best Use:
Informal or semi-formal contexts.
Worst Use:
Sensitive professional conversations.
Tone:
Curious, informal.
This Doesn’t Seem Right
Meaning:
Something appears incorrect or inconsistent.
Explanation:
Softly questions logic or accuracy without sounding harsh.
Example:
The schedule doesn’t seem right-can we double-check the dates?”
Best Use:
Project management, reports, and teamwork.
Worst Use:
Emotional confrontations without softening.
Tone:
Polite, collaborative, neutral.
I’m Having Difficulty Grasping This
Meaning:
I find it challenging to understand a concept or explanation.
Explanation:
Emphasizes your perspective, inviting clarification rather than criticizing.
Example:
I’m having difficulty grasping this new process-can we review it together?”
Best Use:
Professional learning, mentorship, training.
Worst Use:
High-pressure situations need immediate answers.
Tone:
Supportive, empathetic, patient.
This Doesn’t Sit Right
Meaning:
Something feels off or inconsistent intuitively.
Explanation:
Gentle way to express doubt or confusion, emphasizing personal feeling rather than judgment.
Example:
“The approach doesn’t sit right with me-maybe we should discuss alternatives.”
Best Use:
Collaborative team discussions, brainstorming.
Worst Use:
Formal written reports without context.
Tone:
Informal, reflective, polite.
I’m Not Clear on This
Meaning:
Something is ambiguous or hard to understand.
Explanation:
Highlights the need for clarity without being critical.
Example:
“I’m not clear on the last step-can you elaborate?”
Best Use:
Emails, presentations, meetings.
Worst Use:
Strong disagreements require firm challenge.
Tone:
Neutral, polite, professional.
This Seems Conflicting
Meaning:
Information or logic appears inconsistent.
Explanation:
Draws attention to inconsistencies objectively, promoting discussion.
Example:
The data seems conflicting-should we review the sources?”
Best Use:
Analytical discussions, reports.
Worst Use:
Emotional debates or casual conversations.
Tone:
Neutral, factual, professional.
I’m Unsure I Understand
Meaning:
Doubt or uncertainty about comprehension.
Explanation:
Soft way to request clarification without implying fault.
Example:
“I’m unsure I understand the final recommendation-could you clarify?”
Best Use:
Collaborative settings, professional meetings.
Worst Use:
Informal banter with friends.
Tone:
Polite, neutral, collaborative.
This Doesn’t Quite Add Up
Meaning:
Logical inconsistencies or unclear reasoning are present.
Explanation:
Points out gaps in logic in a neutral, professional way.
Example:
“The numbers don’t quite add up-let’s revisit the calculations.”
Best Use:
Reports, financial or analytical reviews.
Worst Use:
Personal or emotional conflicts.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, constructive.
I Can’t Follow This
Meaning:
Unable to keep track of reasoning or explanation.
Explanation:
Centers on your perspective, keeping feedback non-judgmental.
Example:
“I can’t follow this part of the argument-could you clarify?”
Best Use:
Team meetings, instructional settings.
Worst Use:
Casual debates with friends may feel formal.
Tone:
Polite, neutral, collaborative.
This Is Hard to Understand
Meaning:
Something is complex or unclear.
Explanation:
Neutral and descriptive, highlighting difficulty without blame.
Example:
This section of the report is hard to understand-could you simplify the language?”
Best Use:
Educational, professional, or technical contexts.
Worst Use:
Emotional disagreements without context.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, constructive.
I’m Confused
Meaning:
Experiencing uncertainty or lack of clarity.
Explanation:
Simple, straightforward, and non-critical way to express misunderstanding.
Example:
I’m confused about the timeline-can we review it together?”
Best Use:
Professional and casual settings alike.
Worst Use:
Overused in formal evaluations without explanation.
Tone:
Friendly, collaborative, polite.
This Doesn’t Seem Logical
Meaning:
Something violates reasoning or common sense.
Explanation:
Highlights a logical inconsistency politely, inviting discussion.
Example:
This recommendation doesn’t seem logical-let’s evaluate the assumptions.”
Best Use:
Analytical, strategic, professional discussions.
Worst Use:
Emotional or casual conflicts.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, analytical.
I’m Finding This Difficult to Grasp
Meaning:
Indicates a struggle to understand a concept or explanation.
Explanation:
Personalize the difficulty to yourself rather than blaming the speaker.
Example:
“I’m finding this difficult to grasp. Can you provide an example?”
Best Use:
Learning environments, mentoring.
Worst Use:
Situations requiring immediate solution or action.
Tone:
Patient, professional, empathetic.
This Seems Unclear
Meaning:
Something is ambiguous or difficult to interpret.
Explanation:
Neutral and professional, highlighting the need for clarification without blame.
Example:
“The instructions seem unclear-could you provide more context?”
Best Use:
Professional emails, reports, and meetings.
Worst Use:
Casual, informal arguments where the tone may sound stiff.
Tone:
Polite, neutral, constructive.
I’m Not Certain I Follow
Meaning:
Expressing uncertainty in understanding a process or explanation.
Explanation:
Shows humility and invites explanation, keeping feedback collaborative.
Example:
“I’m not certain I follow the reasoning behind this proposal. Can you elaborate?”
Best Use:
Meetings, learning environments, mentoring sessions.
Worst Use:
High-stress situations require immediate clarity.
Tone:
Polite, professional, curious.
This Seems Incoherent
Meaning:
Lacking logical connection or clarity.
Explanation:
Highlights inconsistencies in reasoning while remaining formal and factual.
Example:
“The argument in this section seems incoherent; let’s review it together.”
Best Use:
Academic, analytical, or professional reviews.
Worst Use:
Casual personal conversations.
Tone:
Formal, neutral, professional.
I’m Perplexed by This
Meaning:
Feeling puzzled or uncertain about meaning or logic.
Explanation:
Polite and formal, suitable for professional or academic settings.
Example:
“I’m perplexed by the methodology-could you walk me through it?”
Best Use:
Professional, analytical, or research discussions.
Worst Use:
Overly casual social settings.
Tone:
Formal, curious, polite.
This Doesn’t Ring True
Meaning:
Feels inaccurate, implausible, or inconsistent.
Explanation:
Suggests doubt or discrepancy without bluntly criticizing.
Example:
“The report doesn’t ring true, given the previous data-can we review?”
Best Use:
Reports, professional reviews, fact-checking.
Worst Use:
Casual emotional disputes.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, factual.
I’m Having Difficulty Following
Meaning:
Struggling to understand the reasoning or explanation.
Explanation:
Emphasizes personal experience and invites clarification.
Example:
“I’m having difficulty following this part of the proposal-could you clarify the steps?”
Best Use:
Learning, mentoring, and professional discussions.
Worst Use:
Urgent decision-making situations.
Tone:
Polite, collaborative, neutral.
This Appears Illogical
Meaning:
Something seems inconsistent with reasoning or facts.
Explanation:
Professional and neutral, pointing out logical gaps.
Example:
The sequence appears illogical compared to the objectives we revisit it.”
Best Use:
Analytical work, professional reviews, and strategy sessions.
Worst Use:
Personal, emotional debates.
Tone:
Neutral, professional, factual.
I’m Finding This Confusing
Meaning:
Expresses personal difficulty understanding.
Explanation:
Focuses on your experience, keeping feedback non-judgmental.
Example:
I’m finding this confusing-can we break it down step by step?”
Best Use:
Meetings, presentations, and learning environments.
Worst Use:
Informal, casual conflicts.
Tone:
Polite, collaborative, neutral.
This Seems Contradictory
Meaning:
Elements are inconsistent or conflicting.
Explanation:
Highlights discrepancies in logic or information without blame.
Example:
The findings seem contradictory to previous reports-could we reconcile them?”
Best Use:
Research, professional reviews, and data analysis.
Worst Use:
Casual arguments without context.
Tone:
Neutral, factual, professional.
I’m Not Grasping This
Meaning:
Unable to fully understand or follow the explanation.
Explanation:
Polite and personal, emphasizing the need for clarification.
Example:
I’m not grasping this concept fully. Can you explain it differently?”
Best Use:
Learning, mentorship, collaborative work.
Worst Use:
High-pressure decision situations require immediate understanding.
Tone:
Empathetic, patient, polite.
Final Thoughts
Communicating confusion or misunderstanding doesn’t have to be blunt or dismissive. Using thoughtful alternatives to say “doesn’t make sense” can make your feedback feel empathetic, professional, and constructive. Phrases like “I’m not following”, “this seems unclear”, or “I’m having difficulty grasping this” help shift the focus from judgment to clarity and collaboration.
The way we express confusion shapes how others respond. Gentle, descriptive language encourages open dialogue, curiosity, and problem-solving, whereas blunt phrasing may lead to defensiveness or misinterpretation. By choosing words that show willingness to understand, you foster a culture of learning and mutual respect, whether in personal conversations, team meetings, or academic settings.
Additionally, these alternatives empower you to address inconsistencies, gaps, or illogical points without alienating others. They emphasize your desire to comprehend fully rather than criticize, making feedback or questions feel supportive and solution-oriented.
Ultimately, using these 35 alternatives helps you navigate sensitive or complex discussions with warmth, clarity, and professionalism. Thoughtful language not only improves understanding but also strengthens relationships and builds trust. Incorporating these phrases into your communication toolkit ensures that your feedback or queries are received positively, fostering collaboration, growth, and productive conversations in any context.
FAQs
What’s a polite way to say “doesn’t make sense”?
Use phrases like “I’m not following”, “this seems unclear”, or “I’m having trouble understanding”. These convey confusion politely, focus on clarity, and maintain a collaborative, professional tone without sounding critical.
Can saying “doesn’t make sense” come across as rude?
Yes, it can sound blunt or dismissive. Choosing alternatives emphasizes curiosity and understanding, making your feedback or questions more empathetic and constructive in professional and personal contexts.
When should I use informal alternatives?
Phrases like “I’m lost” or “this is puzzling” are ideal for peer conversations, team discussions, or casual settings. They keep the tone friendly, approachable, and open for clarification.
Are these alternatives suitable for professional communication?
Absolutely. Phrases such as “this seems illogical”, “I’m not clear on this”, or “this appears contradictory” maintain professionalism while expressing confusion politely and encouraging productive discussion.
How do I choose the right alternative?
Consider context, audience, and tone. Use formal alternatives in professional or academic settings, casual alternatives in informal chats, and always focus on clarity, curiosity, and collaborative understanding to avoid defensiveness.
Hi, I’m Emma Brooke, the writer and creator behind Grammarwaves.com. I’m passionate about helping people understand English grammar in a simple, clear, and engaging way. Whether you’re brushing up on basic grammar or diving into tricky language questions, my goal is to make learning easy and enjoyable.
