Name: English Conversation Lesson - How to Keep a Conversation Going in English | 925 English Lesson 3
Uploaded: 2026-01-17T17:03:45.000Z
Duration: 10 min 13 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Present continuous

English Business English for the workplace.

Hi, Tim, here with another 925 English lesson.

Last time we had a look at how to start a conversation.

In this lesson, we're going to learn how to keep a conversation going.

After all, there's no point in striking up a conversation with someone if you can't keep it going.

I mean, it's more than just asking and answering questions, right?

So what kinds of things can we say or do to make the conversation flow naturally?

Well, one important way that we keep a conversation going is by showing interest in what someone says.

If a person makes a comment about something like the weather or work, you need to respond with interest.

So what can we say to show we're interested?

Well, there are a few ways we can do this.

First, you can give an expression of interest.

Then you can make a comment or question about it.

You might also just pick out one idea that the person mentioned and make a little question about it.

Let's practice some examples of showing interest in this way.

Listen to each example, then repeat it yourself.

Wow, I hear it's beautiful this time of year.

Okay, so showing interest is important, but how does it sound in real life?

Let's listen to a short dialogue between two travelers.

They're talking about where they are headed or traveling to.

Hey, never been, but I've heard great things.

You know, it's a big crazy city with lots happening.

Did you hear the expression of interest there?

One person mentioned he is going to Seoul and the other person invited more information about that topic.

And you might notice that in a casual conversation like this, we don't talk for too long about one thing before giving the other person a chance to talk.

And now's a good time to give you a chance to talk.

We'll repeat the dialogue, but this time we're going to beep out the response that shows interest.

Remember that to show interest, we make a little comment and then ask a question.

You know, it's a big crazy city with Lots happening.

Now, a conversation doesn't just continue on one topic forever, right?

At some point, the speakers change the subject.

But you can't just suddenly start talking about something different.

That would be strange because natural conversation flows in.

Just a little word or expression that means, hey, let's talk about something different.

Now, that might be just a word like now, or it might be a phrase like, by the way, let's practice changing the subject with a few examples.

Speaking of summer, how does our third quarter look?

Oh, before I forget, are you going on the trip next month?

By the way, did I tell you that we're headed to Hawaii at Christmas?

As you can see, you can change the subject to several different topics.

You might want to move the conversation toward work or to recent events or to travel plans.

Or if you think you've talked a lot about yourself, you might want to change the topic to the other person.

So, as we've seen, conversation flows from topic to topic and back and forth between people.

What do you say when you want to draw it to a close?

Well, all you need is some kind of excuse or reason for leaving.

Maybe you need to use the restroom or make a phone call.

And when you give your excuse, you can introduce it with something like I should or I need to.

Let's practice some examples of ending a conversation.

It's been nice chatting, but I suppose I should go find my seat.

It's getting pretty late and I should really be heading home.

If you'll excuse me, I just need to make a quick call.

Well, I shouldn't leave my husband sitting there alone for too long.

Okay, now how about listening to how ending a conversation works in real life?

Let's listen to the end of a conversation between two people chatting at an office party.

Well, Shelly, it's great to talk, but I've got to go and freshen up and find a table.