English Speech Communication- Ending a Conversation

To wrap up a conversation, start winding it down with your body language.  Change your posture and break eye contact for a few seconds, perhaps clear your throat, look at your watch, or change your tone of voice.  Use kind phrases:

• “It has been nice talking to you.” Or “It’s been good to see you.”
• “It’s good to catch up.”
• “I have to go now.”
• “I’m so glad we met.” “It was nice meeting you.”

Shake hands, hug, or air-kiss.

If the other person keeps talking, say, “I really have to go now” and give your head a regretful little shake.  Don’t start a new subject.

Here are some other exit lines:

Nature Calls

• I need to stretch my legs.
• I’m having trouble hearing in this crowd.
• Let’s go and get some more food (or drink).
• I have to excuse myself for a moment.

Duty Calls

• I have to go help with (something); I’m going to help in the kitchen.
• I need to look after some of my other guests.
• I have to talk to someone else here for a while; I need to meet someone here.
• I promised my daughter I’d be home by ten.

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

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