How to Keep a Conversation Going in English

1 Example dialogue

Read the conversation. Then read it out loud. Try both parts.

Yuki meets her new neighbour, Olivia, in the lift (elevator) of their building.

Olivia Hi! You must be the new neighbour. I'm Olivia, from the fourth floor.
Yuki Hi Olivia, I'm Yuki. Yes, I moved in last week. Have you lived here long?
Olivia About three years. It's a nice building. Where did you move from?
Yuki From Tokyo, actually. I've just started a new job here.
Olivia Oh, wow, that's a big move! How are you finding it so far?
Yuki I love it, but I'm still getting used to the weather! What about you? Are you from here?
Olivia No, I'm from Manchester originally. So I know what you mean about the weather!
Yuki Ha! Well, it was really nice to meet you. Maybe see you around?
Olivia Definitely. Let me know if you need anything.

These are the most useful phrases from the dialogue, with what they mean and when to use them.

“Have you lived here long?”
A simple question to start a conversation with a neighbour or new colleague.
“Oh, wow, that's a big move!”
A reaction. Short reactions (Oh really? That's great! No way!) show you are listening.
“How are you finding it so far?”
A natural way to ask someone's opinion about a new experience.

UK / US: "How are you finding...?" is especially common in British English. Americans might say "How do you like it?"
“I'm still getting used to...”
Use this for something new that still feels strange. "Get used to" + noun or -ing.
“What about you?”
The most useful phrase in conversation. Answer, then bounce the question back.
“I know what you mean.”
Shows you agree or share the same experience. It builds a connection.
“Maybe see you around?”
A friendly, informal way to end a short conversation.

Answer each question out loud, not in your head. Use the key phrases. If you can, record yourself on your phone and listen back.

Someone asks, "Where are you from?" Answer with one extra detail, then ask "What about you?".
Give three different reactions to the news: "I've just started a new job."
Ask someone about a new experience using "How are you finding...?".
Talk about something you are still getting used to in your life right now.
End a short conversation politely and naturally in two different ways.

Many learners make these mistakes in this situation. Here is the natural version.

Not: Yes. (then silence)

Say: Yes, about three years. What about you?

One-word answers stop conversations. Add a detail and ask a question back.
Not: I am still getting used to live here.

Say: I'm still getting used to living here.

After "get used to", use the -ing form of the verb, not the base form.
Not: How do you find here?

Say: How are you finding it here?

"How are you finding...?" needs an object, like "it" or "the job".
Not: (Asking question after question, like an interview)

Say: (Ask, listen, react, and share something about yourself too.)

A good conversation is like tennis: the ball goes both ways. Share as well as ask.