How’s it going?

How’s everything?

How’s life?      

Asking about present activities

What’s up?

What’s happening?       (What are you doing now?)

Asking and telling about recent events

What’s new?

Guess what?   

Bringing up a serious topic

Can I talk to you for a minute?

Do you have a minute?

Got a minute?

Giving your opinion

I think that . . .

I don’t think that . . .

In my opinion . . .

Contrasting

On the other hand,

However,

Yes, but . . .

You may be right, but . . .

I may be wrong, but . . .

Clarifying your own ideas

In other words,

What I mean is . . .

What I’m trying to say is . . .

Showing Understanding

I see.

I understand.

I get it./I got it.

Expressing Lack of Understanding

I don’t get it.

(I’m sorry.) I don’t understand.

What do you mean?

I’m not following you.

I don’t quite follow you.

I’m not sure I get what you mean.

Interrupting politely

Excuse me,

Pardon me,

Sorry to interrupt,

May I interrupt (for a minute)?

Can I add something here?

I don’t mean to intrude, but . . .

Could I inject something here?

Do you mind if I jump in here?

Getting back to the topic

Anyway,

Now, where was I?

Where were we?

What were you saying?

You were saying . . .

To get back to . . .

 Commenting

That’s interesting. I think that…

Interesting point. I would add…

Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of that before.

Bringing new ideas into a conversation:

What do you think about . . .

Have you considered . . .

What about . . .

Paraphrasing

So . . . (rephrase the other person’s ideas)

In other words . . . (paraphrase)

I understand. (You’re saying that . . .)

Oh. I see. (You want to say that . . . )

I get it. (You mean . . .)

So, what you mean is . . .

Let me see if I understand you correctly. . .

What I think you’re saying is . . .

If I’m hearing you correctly . . .