Have you ever been in the middle of an English conversation when your mind suddenly went blank?
You understood the conversation. You had something to say. But somehow, the right words simply refused to arrive.
It happens to English learners at every level. And interestingly, becoming a better speaker doesn’t mean you will always have the perfect response ready. Good communication is also about knowing what to say while you are thinking, when you need clarification, or when you genuinely have no immediate answer.
Instead of becoming silent or ending the conversation abruptly, you can use a simple phrase to give yourself a little breathing room.
Hi, I’m Janet from English with Janet, and today I’m sharing 25 English phrases to use when you don’t know what to say. Think of these as little conversation bridges. They help you move from “I have no idea what to say next” to “Okay, I can handle this.”
Let’s begin!
Sometimes you know exactly what you want to express—you simply need a few seconds to arrange your thoughts.
This is a graceful way to acknowledge a question while giving yourself a moment to think.
Example:
“What would you change about your daily routine?”
“That’s a good question. I think I’d start my mornings a little earlier.”
Use this when your answer requires a little consideration.
Example:
“Why do you think the project worked so well?”
“Let me gather my thoughts. I think teamwork made the biggest difference.”
This is useful when you know what you mean but are searching for the best way to express it.
Example:
“How was the meeting?”
“How should I put this? It was productive, but we still have a lot to discuss.”
Simple, natural and honest.
Example:
“Which option would you choose?”
“I need a second to think about that.”
This works particularly well when a question doesn’t have a simple answer.
Example:
“Would you accept the offer?”
“There’s quite a bit to consider, but I’m leaning towards yes.”
Not every conversation requires certainty. Knowing how to express uncertainty is an important communication skill.
This allows you to contribute without pretending that you know something for certain.
Example:
“Will the event finish by six?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think it should.”
A useful phrase when someone asks for your immediate opinion.
Example:
“How could we make this easier?”
“My first thought would be to simplify the instructions.”
Use this when you genuinely don’t have an immediate answer.
Example:
“Where would you like to be five years from now?”
“I’d have to think about that. My priorities may change.”
There is nothing wrong with encountering a question you have never considered.
Example:
“What skill would you most like to learn?”
“I haven’t really thought about it before. Perhaps photography.”
A clear and composed response when your decision is still forming.
Example:
“Are you going to take the course?”
“I don’t have a definite answer yet. I’m still looking at the schedule.”
Sometimes the problem isn’t finding an answer—you aren’t completely sure what the other person means.
Instead of guessing, clarify.
Direct, polite and useful in almost any conversation.
Example:
“We need to approach this differently.”
“Could you explain what you mean?”
Examples often make complicated ideas much easier to understand.
Example:
“We need a more flexible approach.”
“Could you give me an example?”
Repeat your understanding of the idea and allow the other person to confirm it.
Example:
“We might postpone the decision.”
“Do you mean that we’ll discuss it again next week?”
This is a useful alternative when an explanation has become difficult to understand.
Example:
“First we combine the results and then adjust the figures.”
“I’m not quite following. Could you go over the second part again?”
Use this when you would like something explained step by step.
Example:
“You’ll need to change a few settings first.”
“Could you walk me through that?”
Knowing an idea but forgetting the exact English word can be frustrating. Don’t allow one missing word to stop the entire conversation.
Continue describing the idea.
Example:
“I can’t think of the word, but it’s the small device you use to charge several things at once.”
The other person may even supply the word you were looking for.
This signals that you need a little help finding a particular word.
Example:
“The room felt very… what’s the word I’m looking for? Peaceful—that’s it!”
This phrase lets you restart an explanation without abandoning your original idea.
Example:
“What I’m trying to say is that we shouldn’t rush the decision.”
Perfectly acceptable when an experience, feeling or object is difficult to put into words.
Example:
“How did you feel when you heard the news?”
“I’m not sure how to describe it. I was surprised and relieved at the same time.”
Here’s a useful secret: you don’t always need to produce the next big idea in a conversation.
Sometimes the best response encourages the other person to say more.
A warm invitation to continue.
Example:
“I’ve started working on a new project.”
“Tell me more about that.”
Simple, but excellent when someone is telling you about an experience.
Example:
“So I finally spoke to the manager.”
“What happened next?”
Use this when you would like to understand the reasoning behind someone’s opinion.
Example:
“I think this could be a great opportunity.”
“What makes you say that?”
This moves a conversation beyond facts and invites a more thoughtful response.
Example:
“They changed the plan at the last minute.”
“How did you feel about that?”
And then there are moments when you genuinely have nothing more to add. You don’t need to invent an answer.
Very useful when you need information or more time before answering.
Example:
“Can you confirm which date works best?”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that. Let me check my schedule.”
This is one of my favourites because it shows something valuable: confidence doesn’t require pretending to know everything.
Example:
“Do you think their new plan will work?”
“I don’t know enough about that to say.”
Clear, calm and honest.
Many English learners put enormous pressure on themselves during conversations.
Was that grammatically perfect?
Did I choose the best word?
Why couldn’t I answer immediately?
But conversations aren’t examinations.
If you don’t know what to say in English, you don’t have to panic or disappear into an uncomfortable silence. You can pause, clarify, ask a question, describe the missing word, or simply admit that you don’t know.
Imagine someone asks:
“What do you think about the proposal?”
You don’t have an immediate opinion.
Instead of freezing, you could say:
“That’s a good question. I’d have to think about that.”
And suddenly, you have given yourself time while keeping the conversation alive.
Or perhaps someone explains something and you understand only half of it.
Instead of smiling and hoping the subject changes, try:
“I’m not quite following. Could you give me an example?”
That small sentence can make communication much easier.
Don’t try to memorise all 25 phrases today.
Choose five phrases that sound most useful to you. Say them aloud a few times and imagine situations in which you might need them.
For example:
Need time? — “Let me gather my thoughts.”
Not certain? — “I’m not entirely sure, but…”
Confused? — “Could you give me an example?”
Forgot a word? — “What I’m trying to say is…”
Nothing to add? — “I don’t know enough about that to say.”
Once those expressions become comfortable, choose another five.
The goal isn’t to memorise a list. It is to make these phrases available to you when a real conversation suddenly leaves you searching for words.
Knowing what to say when you don’t know what to say in English is a skill in itself.
You don’t need instant answers to be a capable English speaker. Sometimes good communication means taking a moment. Sometimes it means asking another question. And sometimes the clearest response is simply admitting that you need more information.
So the next time your mind goes blank, don’t worry about producing an impressive sentence.
Reach for one of these little conversation bridges.
“That’s a good question.”
“Let me gather my thoughts.”
“Could you give me an example?”
“Tell me more about that.”
And keep going.
Your next sentence may be much closer than you think.
Happy learning!
— Janet, English with Janet
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