Listening is one of the most important skills in communication. But here’s the catch—it’s not just about hearing the words. It’s also about showing the speaker that you care, understand, and are engaged.
Whether you’re talking to a friend, a colleague, or your English teacher, using the right English expressions to show you’re listening can make conversations smoother and more meaningful. In this post, I’ll walk you through 20 useful expressions that show you’re truly paying attention—perfect for real-life conversations and even English speaking exams!
Let’s dive in. 🌊
Imagine this: You’re talking, and the other person just stares back—no nod, no smile, no response. Awkward, right?
Showing you’re listening helps:
Build trust and connection 🤝
Keep the conversation flowing 🔄
Make others feel respected and heard 🙌
Using active listening expressions is a small habit that creates a big impact in both personal and professional communication.
Here are expressions you can use during a conversation to show you’re truly listening:
These are great for everyday chats:
“I see.”
→ Simple and polite. Shows you’re following along.
“Really?”
→ Adds interest and shows curiosity.
“Oh, wow!”
→ Good for expressing surprise or amazement.
“That’s interesting.”
→ Keeps the speaker encouraged to continue.
“Uh-huh.”
→ A casual sound people use to say “I’m listening” without interrupting.
These keep the speaker going and show you’re mentally present:
“Go on…”
→ Invites the person to continue.
“Tell me more.”
→ Encourages deeper conversation.
“I get what you mean.”
→ Shows empathy and understanding.
“Absolutely.”
→ A strong way to show agreement.
“I understand.”
→ Simple but meaningful. Good for serious or emotional conversations.
These are perfect when you’re not fully clear but still listening:
“What do you mean by that?”
→ Shows you’re interested and want to understand fully.
“Could you explain that a bit more?”
→ Polite way to ask for more detail.
“So, what happened next?”
→ Keeps the story going and shows you’re involved.
“Did I get that right?”
→ Useful for checking understanding.
“Let me make sure I understand…”
→ Professional and shows active listening.
Sometimes, people talk about their listening by describing their reactions:
“I was nodding the whole time!”
→ Describes your agreement and attention.
“I couldn’t stop listening!”
→ A strong compliment, shows full engagement.
“You had my full attention.”
→ Sounds warm and sincere.
“That must have been hard.”
→ Good when someone shares a challenge or sad experience.
“I hear you.”
→ A powerful way to say you understand someone’s feelings.
You can use these expressions:
In casual conversations with friends or family 👨👩👧👦
During job interviews or meetings 💼
In English speaking practice 🗣️
On phone calls or video chats 📱💻
The more natural your responses sound, the more confident and fluent you’ll become.
Be honest in your responses. Don’t say “That’s interesting” if you weren’t paying attention. People can tell!
Instead, practice active listening by:
Maintaining eye contact
Avoiding distractions (like your phone)
Asking thoughtful questions
Try this: Listen to a short English podcast or YouTube video. As you listen, pause and respond out loud using the expressions above. This helps you build the habit of reacting naturally in real time.
Remember, great communication isn’t just about speaking well—it’s also about listening well. The expressions you use while listening can turn an ordinary chat into a powerful connection.
So the next time you’re in a conversation, try using one or two of these expressions and watch how much more engaging the conversation becomes!
💬 Which of these expressions do you use most? Or is there one you’ve never tried before?
Let me know in the comments below!
Written by Janet | English with Janet – Making English easy, friendly, and fun!
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