How conversation really works: headers (That guy, he...), tails (..., that film), vague language (stuff, -ish), response tokens (Fair enough, I know, right?)
I can use headers, tails, vague language and response tokens like a native conversationalist.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
That sourdough place by the canal, have you been? - Brilliant, it is. Bit pricey, though.
That sourdough place by the canal, have you been? - Brilliant, it is. Bit pricey, though.
Come round seven-ish, bring crisps and stuff. - Fair enough. - I know, right?
Come round seven-ish, bring crisps and stuff. - Fair enough. - I know, right?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Conversation has its own syntax:
| Device | Example |
|---|---|
| header (topic first) | That new café, have you tried it? |
| tail (afterthought) | It's brilliant, that film. |
| vague language | seven-ish, and stuff, sort of |
| response tokens | Fair enough. No way! I know, right? |
| ellipsis | (Do you) Want some? (I) Wouldn't know. |
None of this is 'broken English' - it's the spoken system: headers stage the topic, tails add evaluation, vagueness is politeness, tokens keep the channel alive.
Apply this grammar in C2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesWritten syntax in conversation
Headers, tails and ellipsis are the spoken norm
Vagueness avoided as error
-ish, sort of, and stuff do polite work
That sourdough place by the canal, have you been? - Brilliant, it is. Bit pricey, though.
That sourdough place by the canal, have you been? - Brilliant, it is. Bit pricey, though.
Header + tail + trailing though in four beats.
Come round seven-ish, bring crisps and stuff. - Fair enough. - I know, right?
Come round seven-ish, bring crisps and stuff. - Fair enough. - I know, right?
-ish + and stuff + two response tokens.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in C2 course exercises