Sometimes you don't know what to say in a conversation. Perhaps you don't have any words to express yourself, or you haven't understood the other person. Or perhaps there isn't anything left to say! In all these situations, it's important to avoid being silent, so here are some words and expressions to use.
When you don't understand
"Sorry, I don't understand."
"Sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Sorry? I didn't get that."
Looking for words to express yourself
You don't want to be completely silent, but you need time to find the words.
"Well…"
"OK…"
"So…"
You can even make some "noises"
"Hmmm…"
"Uh-huh"
"Umm…"
To agree with the other person
You want to show that you agree, but you don't have anything else to say.
"Yeah."
"Right."
To change the subject
You've all given your opinion, and now you want to talk about something else.
"Anyway,…"
"Well, as I was saying…"
"So, back to …"
"So, we were saying …"
34 comments on “How to avoid silence in English conversations”
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IT'S SO USEFUL.
GOD BLESS U!
hello,really this is the most usefull site i got very imp tips of english Thank u so much
Hi what is meaning of "You know"?
I saw many people use this sentence within there conversation.
Plz tell me what is meaning of this and when can i use it?
It's often used as a conversation "filler" – when we don't know what to say. We can also use it at the beginning of a sentence, to introduce something.
"You know, I don't really like pizza."
As far as i think It,s the most comprehesive site and it will me to learn English to keep pace with the progressive world.Thanks
i ADMIT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST WEB SITE INE THE WORLD WHO MAKE ENGLISH LANGUAGE EASIER AND WHO HELPEd PEOPLE TO LEARN IN THE best way possible
thanks a lot .
Hi, Could you plz let me know the meaning of this sentence. "With due respect" and when should be used.
You use it in a formal context when you want to contradict someone.
"With (all) due respect, that's not what I said."
hiii am heba that is a first time i write in this site , really its good for any persons they want to learn english
Yeah,it's useful
Hmmm…so…
well, thank you Clare!
Hi Clare,
Thanx for the site , Can u tell me more abt conversation filler . Actually i have pausing problem while speak , how i can remove this ?
A filler is anything you use to avoid silence, such as a sound such as "umm" or a word, like "well" or "anyway". But if you're in a conversation with a person, they can often tell if you're trying to find a word, so will wait for you to finish your sentence. The best way to avoid silence in a conversation is to practise speaking as often as possible so that you feel more confident. Try to build up your vocabulary too, and practise new words and expressions.
well…i found a gr8 website…thks a ton…
Hi Clare,I am a newcomer here,your site is really really so GREAT!
Hello from Kosova ,,We are each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another,,
nuwun sewu, here is a note from Pasuruan Indonesia. Dear Clare! nice..nice..nice, so helpful for me n my students, matur nuwun (Thanks a lot)
Hi Clare,
could you help me please?, i need your help, because i will get married soon, and my groom is foreign just we can understand each other by using English Language,and my language is quiet good, so i need vocabulary or website or you, to help me how can i do in my married life to understand my groom more clear without any troubles.
THANKS ALOT.
Have a look at the pages on this site, which give some common words and phrases for everyday English. Listen to as much English tv and radio as you can, and read as much as possible. If you can, find an English-speaking friend to practise speaking with. You can also post a message on the penpals forum to find a friend to exchange emails and messages.
Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!
this site is amazing and very helpful to us especial to me as a future teacher i need to develop my english grammar as well as my pronounciation. thank u!
Hi Claire, your site is helpful. thank u so much. i need your advice, i worked as a PA, what would be the right words to say to my boss if i will enter to his office to ask him for signing of the documents, i used to say 'do u have a minute, i have this documents for your signature pls', is it correct?
It's fine! You can also say "Can I come in with the documents for you to sign?"
Good, I'm learning to much about this topics
Hi,everyone.
I browsed this website just now and found it is so good for my learning .I would come back again.TKS
hi,Clare
your english is pretty good.can you give me some advice to improve my english.
i will buy an english newspaper to read within one week,and will download American episodes to look sometimes,will listen to some radio english news.but when i have a talk to foreigners,i will be nervous,and hard to have a topic to go on talking.i think my bank of vocabulary is not enougu,do you think i have to ricite so many words.i do't like to do that,because it's very boring.
can you tell me about you experience.thank you very much.
What you are already doing is excellent – reading / listening will help you with your speaking, but you also need to practise this as much as possible! Don't worry now about your lack of vocabulary, and aim to learn (and practise) only a few words per week. There's not much point learning long lists of words unless you're revising for an exam. Instead, choose two or three really useful words, look them up in a dictionary and learn how to use them, then try to use them in conversation. Once a week have a look again at all the words you have chosen, and try to write a sentence with them. Little by little you'll see an improvement. But you've got to get out and speak to people too!
Hello everyone it' s an excellant site i will use this advices to communicate with my friends oversea in my holidays in this summer i will tell you if i m going to succed .
DEAR ENGLISH LEARNERS
It have been a while that I'm learning English.There is too much to say about the English language.First never get llost in a conversation.second be all the time sure that your ears are with the subject thatr you are about .Third and finally make sure that you understand 100%of what is going on the conversation.Following those simple rules I'm sure that only success that you can face…
sincerly
Mr.o Ms. Clare with respect ma'am i have a question for u r u male o female silly q. i know but 'm really a big fan of u.u doin a great job.Be Happy n Healthy :)))
I'm female!
Thank you for this topics itis really usfull…..
hello clare plz i want your advice i finished my studies at the university this year and soon i'll be a teacher and sometimes i find my self lost in front of the pupils i forgot some words what i have to do to cover this.thanks
I think this is a common problem! If you feel lost, go back to the beginning of your sentence, or rephrase your sentence so you can start again in another way. Have a look at the pages in the speaking section of the site for useful phrases for this situation.
Believe, after of I saw this website, I can say my english language have been better.
