Conversation control · Talking
small talk
casual conversation
Light conversation about ordinary subjects such as the weather or work.
This vs that
We made small talk.
We had a serious discussion.
Hear it in real life
What did you talk about at the reception?
Just small talk about the weather and our journeys.
I made small talk with my neighbour while we waited for the lift.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
'Make small talk' is the usual everyday collocation.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: We talked small talk at the reception.
Say: We made small talk at the reception.
Use “make small talk,” not “talk small talk.”
Build it
How it fits in a sentence.
make small talk; small talk aboutnoun
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about conversation control.
Speaking of which
Speaking of which, have you seen Lisa today?
That reminds me
That reminds me, I need to email the dentist.
Conversation control words
Talking · Conversation control: the words around “small talk”.
More connectionsMore conversation control words8
More conversation control words
Your turn: say it out loud
We just made a bit of small talk.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
small talk
casual conversation
“I made small talk with my neighbour while we waited for the lift.”
heytardy