Feature English Question/phrase Alternative form and/or response

Conversation starters

How are you? Great weather Whats new?

Have you heard about?

/

Expressing Astonishment

What! No! Youre kidding! Are you having me on? Really?

Expressing surprise

Its not true! My God! Whats that? What a surprise! Wow!

Reacting to show you are impressed

Not really! Well! Thats crazy! Thats incredible!

Incomplete sentences

I dont know perhaps But then

Interruptions No, but

What was I saying?

Expressing agreement

Yes, sure Agreed Youre quite right

Expressing disagreement

Not at all

I dont agree with you

Expressing sympathy

You poor thing! I totally understand Me too! I know exactly what its like

/

Cutting in Listen (to me) Stop Let me finish As I was saying

Giving your opinion

I think I believe In my opinion

Asking for more information

Can you explain a bit more How do you feel (about it)?

Providing supportive feedback to the listener

Yes, yes Right OK Thats right Thats exactly right Thats it! Youve got it! Absolutely

/

/

Seeking clarity Can you repeat that

please? What do you mean (by that)? I dont understand Why? Sorry, I dont follow Could you speak a bit louder / not so fast?

/

Repeating back what you have understand

At 10pm? Do you mean tomorrow? You said next week didnt you?

10

Adding a question to

Isnt that so? Eh?

seek confirmation

Using fillers to allow you time to think during a pause

Um I mean Well, so Well Thats to say

Using more informal language

the thingy

Using strategies to keep the conversation flowing

How about you? What do you think? Do you have any ideas? Is it the same for you? And in your country? / culture? Whats it like?

Referring back to something said earlier in the conversation

You said earlier But you said Like you said You told me that

Bringing a conversation to a close

I have to go Good talking to you Take care See you later / soon