Keeping the Conversation Going in Real Life...

2 months ago

This is a common problem for intermediate-level language learners. We all experience the moment in a conversation when we know what we want to say… but can’t say it! We are literally “at a loss for words”. It's helpful to remember that the point of most conversations is the continual back-and-forth exchange of thoughts, ideas, or questions. It is therefore often better to keep the conversation going rather than stop it just because you’re trying find the exact words you mean. By keeping the exchange going with general expressions or open-ended questions, you also give yourself a few moments to remember the words or phrases you were searching for. There will usually be opportunities to return to your idea further along in the conversation!
Cheerio,
Peter