Hesitation Strategies - Conversation Time Fillers

Often we want to give ourselves thinking time before we answer a question, especially if we don’t understand it! Here are four techniques:

 

English hesitation strategies Audio Jukebox

•  

  Techniques	Examples	Advantages	Disadvantages
  Pretend you haven’t heard	Pardon? Sorry? Eh?	Simple – only one word to remember.	Everyone does it.
  Repeat the question	You mean…what is forty-five divided by nine?	Lots of thinking time.	Can you remember the question?
  Use delaying noises	Well… Um… Er…	You can use them several times in the same sentence.	If you use them too often you sound stupid.
  Use it depends	It depends. It depends on (the situation). Sorry? You want to know what I think about this? Well…um…it depends, really.	You will sound intelligent. (Stroke your chin at the same time).	You can only use it when there is more than one possible answer.

   

  Don’t forget that you can use more than one technique.

   

To teach and practice spoken English, we offer commonly used English Expressions for daily communication & dialogues We also provide pronunciation materials which help in the teaching and learning of a standard English pronunciation.We provide exercises to study or teach them, like mp3 audio downloads, printable worksheets and self-grading exercises.

Extras

We have tried to make Englishpond.com a site which offers something for anyone. Our Extras page has all the many tools you may need. We have online dictionaries, translators and more.

ESL/EFL/ESOL Resources- Map

• Home
• Site Search
• Web Community
• Members Area
• Shopping Area