If you are worried about joining an English conversation, worried about getting stuck, forgetting your words, or feeling embarrassed about making mistakes, then follow this lesson till the end. I am going to give you some tips to unstuck yourself! Remember that every confident English speaker uses the tips below. So, let’s start.
Situation 1:
You don’t understand a person e.g., a colleague or your professor at university. It can be because of the use of a word that you don’t recognize. Maybe you don’t know a lot about the topic. Or perhaps their accent is a bit different from what you are used to. Then you can use these sentences or expressions:
- I’m sorry, I don’t catch that.
- Could you repeat what you said?
- I’m sorry, I’m not following you.
- Hmmm …. I don’t think I understand your question. Can you repeat that?
Situation 2:
You are speaking but suddenly you forget the word that you wanted to use. Or you forget you’ve been talking about after you’ve already started. Believe me, it’s the worst! Because the other person is waiting for you, they are looking at you and their full focus is on you. But you lost your words. It’s just awkward.
The way how to say the expressions below is very important:
The way how to say the expressions below is very important:
- Ahh … What’s that word again?
- It’s on the tip of my tongue!
- I’m sorry. I have a mental blank. I can’t remember the word in English. (They probably will help you to remember.)
- Uhh … I have no idea how to say this in English! Maybe you can help me if I explain what I’m trying to say.
If you don’t find the word don’t get panic but simply say something like:
- Uhh … That’s so annoying. Nevermind, …
And then simply change the subject. You can also say “Let’s move on.” This will help you to change the topic and keep moving forward in your conversation.
Sometimes, you forget what you were talking about at all. In this situation, you may betongue tide but don’t stop. Say one of these with a laugh and a smiling face, because this happens to everyone:
- Hang on. Let me start over!
- Let me try that again.
- Oh man! I completely lost my train of thought there …
- I’m sorry. I’ve completely forgotten what I was talking about. Hopefully, it will come back to me in a few moments.
The last one will signal to the others that they can take over the conversation, while you are trying to think of what you wanted to say.
Keep in mind that the conversation is not a “test.” The other people are not there to challenge you. They are going to help you IF you give them the right clues.
Situation 3:
There are plenty of times that you just do not know what to say. Because you are not prepared, you have not thought about it. You just have no idea to say. So, you need to “buy some time.”
- Let me think about that for a minute.
- That’s an interesting question. Let me think.
- That’s tricky … I’ve never been asked that before! Hmmm …
- I’m not sure! Give me a second to think about it!
- Give me a moment to think about how to explain that in English!
- I need some time to think about that.
- Does anyone else have an answer ready?
- I’ve never thought about that before. What about you?
- That’s tricky … I’ve never been asked that before! What do you think?
- What’s you take on the situation?
- What are your thoughts?
The last two ones are more casual than the others.
The other person starts talking and you will have some time to think about your answer. But if you do not already have the opinion on this topic, you can get ideas from what others are saying.
Situation 4:
You may be in a situation that you are talking but notice the other person’s face changing. They do not seem to be understanding you. It can either be your fault or theirs.
- Am I making sense?
- I don’t think being very clear here, am I? Let’s try that again.
- Sorry, I think I’m confusing you. What I’m trying to say is … (rephrase your idea)
