How to Make Small Talk in English

Quick Answer: To make small talk in English, open with a light comment plus a question about a safe topic such as the weather, the event or weekend plans (Lovely day, isn't it? How do you know the host?). Keep it going with open questions and short reactions like Really? and That sounds great, then end politely with It was really nice talking to you.

Key takeaways

• Use the pattern answer, detail, question back: Good, thanks! I went hiking. How about you?
• Open questions start with what, how or why and get longer answers than yes or no questions.
• Question tags like isn't it? invite the other person to agree and reply.
• Avoid salary, age, weight, politics and religion with people you have just met.
• Ask What do you do? rather than What is your job?
• Always close with a phrase such as I should get going or I'll let you get back to work before you leave.

Small talk happens at work, in queues, at parties and before meetings. For learners it is also excellent speaking practice, because the language is simple and repeats a lot.

What are good small talk topics?

Topic	Example opener
Weather	Lovely day, isn't it?
The place or event	How do you know Sarah? / Great venue, isn't it?
Weekend	Did you do anything nice at the weekend?
Travel	Have you been on holiday this year?
Work (general)	What do you do? / How's work going?
Hobbies	What do you like doing in your free time?
Food	Have you tried the cake? It's amazing.
Films and series	Have you seen anything good on TV lately?
Sports	Did you watch the match last night?

British English says at the weekend; American English says on the weekend. The weather is the classic opener, especially in the UK. Learn the words in talking about the weather in English.

What topics should you avoid?

• salary and money
• age and weight
• politics and religion
• very personal questions (Why aren't you married? Why don't you have kids?)
• negative comments about people present

Customs differ by country and by person, but these topics are a risk with people you do not know well.

How do you start a conversation?

Comment and question. Make a small observation, then add a question.

• "This coffee is really good. Have you tried it?"
• "It's busy today, isn't it?"
• "I love this song. Do you know who sings it?"

Introduce yourself.

• "Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Deniz."
• "Hi, I'm new here. Which team are you in?"

The tag at the end of "It's busy today, isn't it?" invites agreement and makes it easy for the other person to answer. See question tags in English.

How do you keep the conversation going?

Closed questions get yes or no. Open questions get stories.

Closed	Open
Do you like your job?	What do you like most about your job?
Was your trip good?	How was your trip?
Do you have hobbies?	What do you do in your free time?
Did you have a nice weekend?	What did you get up to at the weekend?

Follow-up questions show you are listening:

• "Oh really? How long have you lived there?"
• "That sounds interesting. How did you get into that?"
• "What was the best part?"

Short reactions

Native speakers use short reactions to show interest. These are called backchannels.

• "Really?"
• "Oh, nice!"
• "That sounds great / fun / amazing."
• "No way!" (surprise, informal)
• "Oh no, that's a shame."
• "I know what you mean."
• "Same here!" / "Me too!"

Share a little, too

Small talk is a two-way game. If someone asks "How was your weekend?", do not just say "Good." Add one detail and return the question:

• "Good, thanks! I went hiking with some friends. How about you?"

This simple pattern (answer, detail, question back) keeps any conversation moving.

Small talk at work

• "How's your week going?"
• "Busy day?"
• "Any plans for the weekend?"
• "Did you have a good holiday?"
• "How was the meeting?"

Before an online meeting: "Can everyone hear me okay? ... How's the weather over there?" For more workplace language, see English for work meetings.

How do you end small talk politely?

• "It was really nice talking to you."
• "Anyway, I should get going."
• "I'll let you get back to work."
• "I need to grab another drink. Talk later!"
• "Let's catch up soon."
• "Enjoy the rest of your evening!"

Sample conversation

• A: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Mert.
• B: Hi Mert, I'm Claire. Nice to meet you.
• A: Nice to meet you too. How do you know Paul?
• B: We work together. And you?
• A: We went to university together. So, what do you do at the company?
• B: I'm in the design team. What about you?
• A: I'm an engineer. Have you been to one of Paul's parties before?
• B: No, this is my first time. The food is great, isn't it?
• A: It really is! ... Anyway, I'm going to get a drink. It was nice talking to you.
• B: You too. See you later!

Common mistakes

Mistake	Better
One-word answers: Fine.	Fine, thanks! I've been really busy with a new project. How about you?
What is your job?	What do you do?
How much do you earn?	How's work going?
Talking only about yourself	Ask a follow-up question: What was the best part?
Walking away with no closing phrase	It was really nice talking to you. Enjoy the rest of your evening!

Practice

Make these closed questions open.

1. Did you like the film?
2. Was the trip good?
3. Do you like cooking?

Possible answers: 1. What did you think of the film? 2. How was the trip? 3. What kind of food do you like to cook?

Small talk gets easier with practice. Read how to improve your English speaking, and start with confident greetings. For short daily speaking practice, start the free LearnLingo course.

People Also Ask

What are good small talk topics in English?

Safe topics include the weather, the place you are in, weekend plans, travel, food, work in general terms, hobbies, films and series. They are easy, positive and do not get too personal.

What topics should I avoid in small talk?

In most English-speaking cultures, avoid salary, age, weight, religion, politics and very personal questions about marriage or children with people you have just met.

How do I keep a conversation going in English?

Ask open questions that start with what, how or why, show interest with short reactions like Really? or That sounds great, and share a little about yourself too.

How do I end small talk politely?

Use a friendly closing phrase such as It was really nice talking to you, I should get going or I'll let you get back to work. Then say goodbye.

Related Reading

• English Greetings: Formal and Informal
• Talking About the Weather in English
• How to Improve Your English Speaking
• Question Tags in English