Unit 52. Mhm, Right, I See.

Keeping Conversation Going
Unit 52; Part A
When we are taking part in a conversation, we ofen show the currentspeaker that we are following what they are saying, and that we wantthem to go on. A number of sounds, words and phrases are commonly usedto do this, usually with a rising tone. These include mm, uhuh, mhm, okay, right, yeah, I see: A: So how do I make a recording with this? B: Well, you plug the microphone in this socket in the back [A: MHM ↑] and you make sure that it's switched on and that the battery's working [A: RIGHT ↑]. Then you press the play button and the pause button at the same time [A: oKAY ↑] and then check that the recording level is okay [A: uHUH ↑]- You can change it using this dial here [A: I SEE ↑]. And then when you're ready you just ... |
Unit 52; Part B
When these are used with a falling tone, they often indicate that wethink the speaker has finished or that we want to take a turn in theconversation ourselves (see also Unit 53): B: ... but make sure you don't move this switch. A: RIGHT ↓. What does it do? B: It changes the voltage setting. A: I SEE ↓. And what would happen exactly? |
Unit 52; Part C
Some words and phrases are added to positive sentences in order tocheck that something has been understood or accepted as true, usuallywith a rising tone. These include alright, you know, okay, you see, right: I'll be over later, alRIGHT ↑? He was really odd, you KNOW ↑? They are often followed by the words and phrases in A, usually with a falling tone, indicating 'I have understood' or 'I agree': A: I phoned Jerry straight away. He's a doctor, you SEE ↑? B: RIGHT ↓. A: So I thought he'd be able to help. A: You're not to touch it, oKAY ↑? B: oKAY ↓. |
Unit 52; Part D
To show interest and to encourage the speaker to continue, we can also use short questions such as Did you? Were they? Haven't we?, typically with a fall-rising tone: A: Saw Helen in town today. B: DID you ↑↓? A: She said she's bought the flat [B: MHM↑] though she won't be able to move in until next year. B: WON'T she ↑↓? A: No, some problem with the other people moving out. [B: RIGHT↑] Apparently they're going to ... We can also use Really? with a fall-rising tone for a similar purpose (see also Unit 51): A: Did you hear there's been another earthquake in Iran? B: REAlly ↑↓? A: Yeah, and another bad one, too. |
Exercises
![]() | Unit 51 Unit 52 Unit 53 | ![]() |