G9U6-2 Managing a conversation
Expressions Changing the topic
Closing a topic
Before you change the topic in a conversation, try responding politely to the current topic first. Notice the short responses here.
A: They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
B: Really?
Really?
Closing a topic
Before you change the topic in a conversation, try responding politely to the current topic first. Notice the short responses here.
A: They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
B: Really?
Really?
A: You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
B: Mm-hmm?
Mm-hmm?
Changing a topic
Now let's have a look at how the speakers change the topic.
A: They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
They do the best pizzas, and it's so cheap.
B: Really? Speaking of which, are you hungry? Let's get dinner.
Really? Speaking of which, are you hungry? Let's get dinner.
A: You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
B: Mm-hmm? Oh, that reminds me. Do you want to go shopping tomorrow?
Mm-hmm? Oh, that reminds me. Do you want to go shopping tomorrow?
A: You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
You should see my new T-shirt. It's really cool.
B: Mm-hmm?
Listen to the audio
Party? Speaking of which, I need to buy a cake
Interesting. So, are we getting dinner soon?
Right. Anyway, what other business is there?
Expressions Involving others
Using questions to involve others
Use questions to specific people or to a group to bring people into a conversation.
Right. So, did anyone else see 'Raging Water' last night?
Right. So, did anyone else see 'Raging Water' last night?
Harry, haven't you got a pet at home?
Harry, haven't you got a pet at home?
Remember that open questions – for example, about opinions or descriptions – receive longer responses than yes-no questions.
A: Sure, that's nice. Anyway, Janine, how was Bali?
Sure, that's nice. Anyway, Janine, how was Bali?
B: It was fantastic. Great weather, friendly people!
It was fantastic. Great weather, friendly people!
A: Uh-huh? So, Paul, what was the Italian restaurant like?
Uh-huh? So, Paul, what was the Italian restaurant like?
B: It wasn't that good. The fish wasn't fresh. Service was bad. It wasn't that good. The fish wasn't fresh. Service was bad.
Speaking of which , does anyone want to get pizza for lunch?
Is there anywhere near here?
I'm not sure. I haven't had pizza in ages .
Elsa, don't you know some good places?
Well, on that note , let's go.
Janine, how was your trip to Bali?
