How to say it · Speaking moves

Buying time before you answer

Someone asks you a question and your mind goes blank for a second. You need a moment to think without repeating the question or going silent.

6 ways to say it

In a speaking test, a candidate touches her chin and thinks before answering the examiner, an hourglass beside her.

How longQuickLong

Let me thinkbest default Let me seechecking something Hmm, that's an interesting oneunexpected question How can I put this?finding the words I've never really thought about that beforebrand-new topic It's hard to say off the top of my headneed the facts

Way 1 · best default

Let me think

A short, honest pause. You're choosing your answer and it'll come in a second or two.

How longQuick

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Let me think... probably summer, because I love being outside.

Hmm, let me think. I'd probably pick the beach over the mountains.

In a conversation

A: What's your favourite season?
B: Let me think... autumn, I think. It's not too hot and the evenings are lovely.

Common mistake

Not: ~~What is my favourite season? My favourite season is autumn.~~

Say: Let me think... autumn, I think.

Repeating the question word for word sounds like stalling. A short pause phrase sounds natural and gets you going.

Practice saying this

Next: Let me see

Way 2 · checking something

Let me see

A tiny pause while you count, remember or check something, like a date or a number.

How longVery quick

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Let me see, I've been to four countries. No, five.

Saturday? Let me see... yes, I'm free after lunch.

In a conversation

A: Are you free on Saturday?
B: Let me see... yeah, after two I am.

Practice saying this

Next: Hmm, that's an interesting one

Way 3 · unexpected question

Hmm, that's an interesting one

You react to a surprising question with interest. It buys a few seconds and sounds keen, not lost.

How longMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Hmm, that's an interesting one. I suppose I'd choose the future.

Would I live abroad? Hmm, that's an interesting one.

Common mistake

Not: ~~I think this question is a little bit difficult.~~

Say: Hmm, that's an interesting one.

Saying the question is difficult sounds like giving up. Sound curious about it instead, then start your answer.

Practice saying this

Next: How can I put this?

Way 4 · finding the words

How can I put this?

You know what you think, but you need a moment to say it well, often because it's a bit delicate.

How longMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

How can I put this? He's nice, but he talks a lot.

It's not bad, it's just... how can I put this? A bit old-fashioned.

In a conversation

A: So what did you think of the restaurant?
B: How can I put this? The food was fine, but the service was very slow.

Practice saying this

Next: I've never really thought about that before

Way 5 · brand-new topic

I've never really thought about that before

An honest way to say the topic is new to you. People expect a slower answer after it.

How longLong

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I've never really thought about that before, but I guess robots could help teachers.

Honestly, I've never really thought about that before, but maybe it's a good idea.

Practice saying this

Next: It's hard to say off the top of my head

Way 6 · need the facts

It's hard to say off the top of my head

You can't give an exact answer right now, usually a number or detail. A rough guess often follows.

How longVery long

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

It's hard to say off the top of my head, but maybe around two hundred.

Exact dates? It's hard to say off the top of my head.

In a conversation

A: How many customers did we have last year?
B: It's hard to say off the top of my head. I'll check the report.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

Let me think Let me see Hmm, that's an interesting one How can I put this?

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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