20 English Phrases for Starting, Continuing, and Ending Conversations
Starting a conversation in English can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you do not know what to say next. The good news is that you do not need complicated vocabulary to have a natural conversation.
Learning a few common phrases can help you start a conversation, keep it going, and end it politely when the time comes.
In this article, you’ll learn 20 useful English phrases that you can use in everyday conversations.
1. How’s it going?
Meaning:
A casual way to ask someone how they are or how things are going.
Example:
“Hey, Tom! How’s it going?”
“Pretty good, thanks!”
2. How have you been?
Meaning:
We use this phrase when asking someone how they have been recently, especially if we have not seen them for some time.
Example:
“Hi, Sarah! How have you been?”
“I’ve been great. How about you?”
3. What have you been up to?
Meaning:
This is an informal way to ask someone what they have been doing recently.
Example:
“What have you been up to lately?”
“I’ve been working on a new project.”
4. What’s new?
Meaning:
A casual way to ask if anything interesting or different has happened recently.
Example:
“Hey! What’s new?”
“Not much. How about you?”
5. How was your weekend?
Meaning:
A simple conversation starter, especially when talking to someone at the beginning of a new week.
Example:
“How was your weekend?”
“It was great. I visited my family.”
6. How’s your day going?
Meaning:
A friendly way to ask how someone’s day is progressing.
Example:
“Hi! How’s your day going?”
“It’s going well, thanks.”
7. What do you think?
Meaning:
We use this phrase to ask someone for their opinion.
Example:
“I’m thinking about taking an English course. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a good idea.”
8. Really?
Meaning:
“Really?” can show interest, surprise, or a desire to hear more about what someone has said.
Example:
“I’m going to Spain next month.”
“Really? That sounds exciting!”
9. Tell me more
Meaning:
This phrase encourages someone to give you more information about something.
Example:
“I started learning Spanish last month.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
10. What happened next?
Meaning:
We use this phrase when we want someone to continue telling a story.
Example:
“So I missed the bus and had to walk home.”
“What happened next?”
11. How about you?
Meaning:
This phrase is used to return a question to another person.
Example:
“I’m doing well. How about you?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
12. What do you mean?
Meaning:
We use this phrase when we want someone to explain something more clearly.
Example:
“I don't think that's going to work.”
“What do you mean?”
13. That reminds me...
Meaning:
We use this expression when something someone says makes us remember another related topic.
Example:
“We were talking about travel.”
“That reminds me, I need to book my flight.”
14. By the way...
Meaning:
“By the way” introduces a new or additional topic that is related to the conversation.
Example:
“By the way, did you receive my email?”
“Yes, I did.”
15. Speaking of...
Meaning:
This phrase is used to connect the current topic to another related topic.
Example:
“Speaking of movies, have you seen the new comedy?”
“No, not yet.”
16. Anyway...
Meaning:
“Anyway” can be used to return to the main topic, change the subject, or bring a conversation toward an ending.
Example:
“Anyway, we should get back to work.”
17. It was nice talking to you
Meaning:
A polite way to end a conversation and show that you enjoyed talking to someone.
Example:
“I have to go now. It was nice talking to you.”
“Nice talking to you too.”
18. I’d better get going
Meaning:
A polite and natural way to say that you need to leave.
Example:
“I’d better get going. I have an early meeting tomorrow.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow!”
19. See you around
Meaning:
An informal way to say goodbye when you expect to see the person again sometime.
Example:
“Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. See you around!”
20. Take care
Meaning:
A friendly way to say goodbye and express good wishes.
Example:
“Thanks for coming. Take care!”
“You too!”
How to Keep an English Conversation Going
A common problem for English learners is knowing how to continue a conversation after saying hello.
One easy technique is to ask simple follow-up questions.
For example:
“How was your weekend?”
If the person says:
“It was great. I went to the beach.”
You can continue with:
“Really? What did you do there?”
Or:
“That sounds nice. Who did you go with?”
You do not need complicated questions. Showing interest and asking a simple follow-up question can keep the conversation moving naturally.
How to Change the Topic
Sometimes you want to introduce a different subject. Expressions such as these can help:
“By the way...”
“That reminds me...”
“Speaking of...”
These phrases create a natural connection between topics instead of changing the subject suddenly.
How to End a Conversation Politely
Ending a conversation does not have to feel awkward. You can use expressions such as:
“It was nice talking to you.”
“I’d better get going.”
“See you around.”
“Take care.”
These phrases make it clear that you need to leave while keeping the conversation friendly.
Final Thoughts
Good conversations are not only about knowing what to say. They are also about knowing how to respond, ask follow-up questions, change topics, and say goodbye naturally.
Start by practicing a few of these expressions in your everyday conversations. Once you become comfortable using them, starting and maintaining conversations in English will feel much easier.