Changing the Subject in a Conversation

A.

The dialogue can be extended by introducing new topics. The following phrases or transitions can be used

Oh, by the way…

That reminds me of…

Speaking about/of…

Talking of …

Before I forget…

Oh, I nearly forgot…

Oh, while I remember…

I just thought of something…

Oh, there’s something else I wanted/meant to say/ask you…

Oh, I knew there was something I meant/wanted to tell you

Oh, I know what I wanted/meant to say/tell/ask you…

This has nothing to do with what we are talking about, but…

I know this is changing the subject, but…

Changing the subject for a minute…

Funny / strange you should mention/say that…

That’s funny, because something similar…

Incidentally…

B.

Interrupting a conversation

You can use the following interrupting strategies to break into a conversation:

I’m sorry to interrupt…

Sorry to break ink but…

Sorry, may I interrupt you for a second…

Excuse me /Pardon me for interrupting, but…

If I may interrupt for a second...

C.

Returning to the topic

As I was saying…

Now, what was I saying…?

Where was I…?

Going back to what I was saying…

Let’s go back to…

In any case….

D.

Common Fillers in Conversation

The thing is…

I see, what you mean..?

The sort/kind of thing…

It’s like this, you see…

Right then…

Let’s say…

What I’m trying to say is…

Now, where should I start…?

That’s a good/interesting question…

What I would say is….

How shall I put it…?

Let’s put it this way…

The best way I can answer that is…

I’ll tell you what…

Now let me think/see…

I’ll have to think about it…

To be quite honest/frank…

As a matter of fact….

Let’s see now….

I wonder if…

E.

Asking for Repetition

Sorry, what did you say? / What was that again?

What was the word/ the first word/his name/the last sentence again?

Would / Could you repeat that/ what you said / that name / the last word, please?

Could you repeat that for me, please?

Would you mind repeating that?

Sorry, can you say that again, please?

Sorry, would you mind speaking a bit slower?

I’m sorry; I couldn’t /didn’t hear what you said.

I’m sorry. When /who / where / what time did you say?

Hang on / just a minute, say that again? I didn’t quite catch that…

Did you say....?

Did I hear you right when you said…?

I would like to confirm that you said…

Excuse me, can I just confirm that….