Speaking Tip: How to Keep Talking When You Think You Have Nothing to Say

Strong conversation skills are important, whether you’re chatting with friends, meeting new people, or answering a question in an English exam. But what happens when your mind suddenly goes blank and you think you’ve run out of things to say?

This is where the skill of elaboration comes in. Instead of stopping at a short answer, you add extra details to keep the conversation flowing and show confidence.

What Does It Mean to Elaborate?

Elaborating simply means expanding on your answer so it gives more information, depth, or context. It’s not about talking endlessly; it’s about adding something useful or interesting.

Here are three easy ways to do it:

1. Use Examples

Examples make your ideas clearer.

• Instead of: “I enjoy reading.”

• Try: “I enjoy reading, especially mystery novels like Sherlock Holmes, because I like solving the puzzles.”

2. Share Personal Experience

Connect the topic to your own life.

• Instead of: “I find sports exciting.”

• Try: “I find sports exciting because playing football on my school team taught me teamwork and discipline.”

3. Refer to Something You Read or Watched

Bringing in outside knowledge shows interest and awareness.

• Instead of: “I’m interested in science.”

• Try: “I’m interested in science. I recently watched a documentary on space exploration, and it made me curious about life on other planets.”

Practice Challenge

Take this sentence:

“Learning English is important.”

Now, try to elaborate in at least one of the ways above:

• Add an example

• Connect it to your personal experience

• Refer to something you’ve read, watched, or learned

For instance, you might explain how English helps you talk to friends online, how it supports your studies, or how it connects to a book or video you’ve enjoyed.

Summary

Want more practice? Check out our English courses where you’ll learn simple techniques like elaboration that make speaking easier and more natural.

Elaboration is a simple skill, but it makes a big difference. By adding examples, personal stories, or references, you turn short answers into meaningful conversations.

If you’d like to strengthen your speaking skills further, why not try a free trial class ? It’s a great way to build confidence, get feedback, and enjoy learning in a supportive environment.