How to Avoid Awkward Silences in English Conversations.

We’ve all been there. You’re having a conversation, and suddenly—silence. Nobody speaks, and the pause stretches on, making everyone feel uncomfortable. Awkward silences can happen for many reasons: maybe you’ve run out of things to say, the topic has reached a natural end, or you’re simply unsure how to respond.

For English learners, these moments can feel especially stressful. But the good news is, you can learn strategies to handle awkward silences smoothly—without panicking!

1. Use Filler Words & Phrases to Buy Time

Filler words are small words or phrases that give you a moment to think before responding. They keep the conversation flowing without making it obvious that you need extra time to process your thoughts.

Some natural filler words in English:

• Um...

• Uh...

• You know...

• Well...

• I mean...

• Let me think...

Example conversation:

Person A: What do you think about the new manager?
Person B: Um… I haven’t really thought about it, but I guess she seems professional.

2. Use Ready-Made Phrases to Keep the Conversation Going

If you're not sure what to say next, you can use general phrases to extend the conversation. These work in almost any situation!

a) Ask for the other person's opinion

• What about you?

• What do you think?

• How do you feel about that?

Example:

Person A: I really love traveling, but sometimes it gets so expensive.
Person B: Yeah, I know what you mean. Do you think you’ll go away this year?

b) Reflect on the conversation

• That’s a good question…

• That’s interesting. I’ve never really thought about it before.

• That reminds me of something I read recently…

Example:

Person A: Do you prefer working from home or being at the office?
Person B: Hmm… That’s a good question. To be honest I like a balance of the two. I’d go crazy if I was stuck at home all the time!

c) Repeat or summarise the last point

• So, you're saying that…

• Oh, I see, you mean…

• So basically, the idea is…

Example:

Person A: I just think social media is becoming too overwhelming. It’s out of control!
Person B: Oh, I see, you mean it’s taking up too much of people’s time?

3. Have a ‘Go-To’ Topic for When Conversations Die

Sometimes a conversation naturally ends, and that’s okay. But if you want to keep the discussion alive, you can introduce a new topic that is easy for most people to talk about.

Safe, easy conversation topics:

• Travel: Have you ever been to [place]? I’m thinking of going there for a long weekend.

• Food: Are you a foodie? There’s a new Vietnamese place opened ‘round the corner.

• Hobbies: What do you get up to when you have free time?

• TV & Movies: Have you watched anything good recently?

• Current Events: "Did you hear about [news story]?"

Example:
Person A: (awkward silence)
Person B: By the way, do you have Netflix? I just started a new series, and it’s really good!

4. Strategies to Manage Awkward Silences

For English learners aiming to navigate or minimise awkward silences:

Increase Self-Awareness

• Record and listen to your speech to identify overused fillers or frequent pauses. This will help you become aware of patterns in your speech and work towards reducing unnecessary gaps.

Slow Down

• Speaking at a measured pace allows more time to formulate thoughts, reducing the need for fillers. When you slow down, you also sound more confident and in control of the conversation.

Practice Public Speaking

• Engaging in public speaking, even in small group settings, can enhance fluency and confidence, making it easier to handle pauses gracefully. Joining a speaking club or practicing presentations can be a great way to build these skills.

5. Embrace the Pause—Not Every Silence is Awkward!

Silence isn’t always bad. In fact, in some cultures, silence is a normal part of conversation. It can show thoughtfulness or respect. Instead of feeling pressure to fill every silence, try to relax and let the conversation breathe.

If you feel the silence getting uncomfortable, you can say:

• Sorry, I lost my train of thought!

• I was just thinking about what you said.

• Anyway, what are you up to for the rest of the day?

Awkward silences don’t have to be stressful. With the right strategies, you can keep a conversation flowing naturally and confidently. Practice using filler words, ready-made phrases, and go-to topics to avoid panicking when a pause happens. And remember—not every silence is awkward!

Try these techniques in your next conversation and see how much more comfortable you feel.