Whether you're an intermediate
English learner or moving towards an advanced level, mastering real
conversational skills is a must. You probably already know how to answer basic
questions, but what happens when you want to interrupt politely, express
disagreement, or change the topic?
This guide shares over 50 useful
phrases to help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in
everyday English conversations.
Let’s dive in.
🧠
Why Conversation Phrases Matter
Fluency isn’t just about vocabulary
or grammar—it’s about knowing how to move smoothly through a conversation,
especially when things shift.
Having the right expressions
at your fingertips can help you:
- ✨ Keep conversations flowing
- 🤝 Show confidence and respect
- 😌 Reduce awkward silences
- 🎯 Make your meaning clear
Here’s a breakdown of key
conversational moments—with practical phrases for each situation.
🗣️ 1. Asking for Someone’s Opinion
To make your conversations two-way
and more engaging, invite others to share their thoughts:
- Do you agree?
- What do you think about that?
- What’s your opinion?
- How do you feel about it?
- I’d like to hear your thoughts on that.
- Would you like to add anything?
💡 Use these when you want to extend a conversation and
make the other person feel heard.
✋
2. How to Interrupt Politely
Sometimes you need to jump into a
conversation—without sounding rude:
- Excuse me
- Sorry, I thought our meeting was next Thursday, not
Wednesday.
- Do you mind if I add to that?
- Can I jump in here?
- Sorry to interrupt, but...
- If I may interrupt you for a moment…
- Sorry for interrupting.
📌 Use more formal phrases in customer service or work
settings.
🧭
3. Getting Back on Topic
When a conversation drifts, use
these phrases to refocus:
- So anyway, getting back to my story…
- As I was saying…
- Where was I?
- Ah yes…
- So anyway, where were we? Ah yes… you were talking
about apples!
✔️ Helps when you or someone else gets distracted mid-conversation.
🧐
4. Confirming or Clarifying What You Heard
Not sure you understood something
correctly? These phrases help double-check and avoid miscommunication:
- So what you’re asking is…
- So, what you want to know is…
- Do you mean…?
- In other words, what you’re saying is…
- Excuse me, can I just confirm what you said?
- I’d like to confirm what you said.
📚 Great for customer service, meetings, or interviews.
✅
5. Agreeing with Someone
When you want to show support or
agreement, these phrases help you connect:
- Yes, absolutely!
- I completely agree with you.
- I couldn’t agree more.
🗯️ Use emphatic agreement when you really want to
emphasize alignment.
🤷
6. Partially Disagreeing (Soft Disagreement)
Sometimes you agree partly,
but want to share another point of view:
- I see what you mean, but…
- I understand your point of view, but…
- I can see where you’re coming from, but…
- I agree with you up to a point, however…
- I’ve got a different opinion.
🤝 These are respectful
ways to challenge ideas without causing conflict.
❌
7. Disagreeing (Politely)
If you need to disagree clearly,
try these phrases to stay respectful:
- I don’t feel the same way.
- Actually, I don’t quite agree.
- I disagree.
- I’m afraid I don’t agree with you on that.
- Respectfully, I have to disagree.
🎩 Adding “I’m afraid” or “respectfully” softens the tone,
especially in formal situations.
🔄 8. Changing the Topic
Conversations can go off track—or
maybe you just want to talk about something else. Use these phrases to shift
topics naturally:
- That reminds me…
- Speaking of that…
- Oh, by the way…
- While I remember…
- Before I forget…
- This has nothing to do with what we’re talking about,
but…
- I know this is completely changing the topic, but…
🧠 Great for keeping the
conversation going without sounding random.
⚠️
9. Discussing Controversial Topics (Advanced)
When talking about sensitive or
polarizing topics, it’s smart to prepare the listener:
- I know not everyone agrees with me, but…
- This might be an unpopular opinion, but…
- I know this is a contentious issue…
- I don’t see eye to eye with everyone on this, but…
- Whilst you may not agree with my views, I’d love to
hear yours.
- I’m not trying to ruffle anyone’s feathers…
🕊️ These help keep difficult conversations open,
respectful, and thoughtful.
👋 10. Ending a Conversation Politely
Sometimes you just need to wrap
things up and move on:
- Well, I’d best be off!
- Anyway, I’d better get back to it.
- I’m so glad I ran into you.
- It’s been great catching up.
- I’ll see you soon.
🚪 Use these to leave conversations on a friendly note.
🎯 Tips to Master These Phrases
Here’s how to make these phrases part
of your daily speech:
- Choose 3–5 phrases
from each section and practice them regularly.
- Use them in real conversations—with friends, teachers, or language partners.
- Listen for them
in podcasts, movies, and interviews.
- Repeat and shadow—speak
along with native speakers.
- Keep a “Conversation Toolkit” notebook or flashcards.
💬 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re interacting at
work, traveling, or chatting online, these expressions will help you
communicate with confidence, clarity, and respect.
And remember:
You don’t have to learn all 50+
phrases at once. Start small, be consistent, and have fun with it!
🙋♀️ Want to Take It Further?
If you're a woman who wants to
become more fluent, expressive, and confident in English conversations, check
out The Ladies’ Project—a supportive community of women learning and
speaking English together.
Let us know in the comments:
🌟 Which of these phrases will you start using today?
📌 Want more blogs like this? Suggest your favorite topic!
Until next time, keep learning and
keep speaking!
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