Intonation
To avoid interrupting someone before they’ve concluded, listen to their tone of voice during your conversation in English.
Rising intonation at the end of the sentence? That usually means the person has more to say. So wait and give them time to finish!
Falling intonation at the end of the sentence? It probably means that person has finished speaking. It’s your turn to respond in your conversation in English.
“Does that make sense?”
Words
During a conversation in English, words and phrasing is often the clearest way to tell if a person has finished speaking and are ready for your input.
For example, phrases like “That’s all,” “And that’s how I see it,” or “That’s what happened” are strong indicators that they’ve wrapped up their point. Combined with intonation—like a downward tone—you’ll have an even clearer clue.
It’s even easier to identify your turn when someone explicitly invites you to respond with phrases like:
“Does that make sense?”
“What do you think?”
“Let me know if you have any questions.”
When you hear these signals, you don’t need to worry about interrupting—it’s your turn to speak in the conversation in English.
Body language
To avoid interrupting someone during your conversation in English, look for subtle body language that suggests someone is still talking.
For example, if their mouth is open or they’ve just inhaled, they’re probably still forming their next words or thoughts.
However, when someone leans back, rests their hands calmly, or stops moving entirely, these are usually “conclusion” signs that the conversation in English is coming to a close and it’s your turn to respond.
Handling uncertainty
Remember, managing a conversation in English is not an exact science! In case you’re not sure whether the other person has finished speaking or not, you can ask:
“Was there more you wanted to add?”
And what if you notice that you interrupted the other person? Don’t worry! Just correct it right away with this phrase:
“Sorry for interrupting.”
Or;
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off. Please continue.”
It’s perfectly acceptable to acknowledge your mistake and keep the conversation in English going smoothly.
When to ask questions during a conversation in English
It’s tempting to ask a question the minute it enters your head. However, this can also interrupt the flow of the conversation. Plus, if you give a person time and space to speak, they might provide the information you need without you needing to ask. In general, it’s better to save all your questions for the end of the conversation in English.
Confidence and practice
With these tips, you can feel more confident about knowing when it’s your turn to speak in English. Remember, confidence comes from practice and experience. If you want to continue working on your English communication skills, please stay connected! I’ll be happy to help you have a productive conversation in English.
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