18 Ways to Respond in a Conversation Besides "Uh-Huh"

When you’re having a conversation, how do you show your partner that you’re listening? 

People often make special sounds (“Uh-huh” or “Mm-hmm”) or use particular words (“Interesting!”) to do this. This is called “backchanneling,” and it’s a very important part of communication.

Unfortunately, English learners often use only one form of backchanneling. But if you overuse the same ones, such as "Uh-huh," it might sound like you're not interested in the conversation  — or maybe like you're not listening at all! 

Look at this example:

Lisa: So I went to a pizza restaurant today...
Alejandro: Uh-huh.
Lisa: ...and I ordered a cheese pizza...
Alejandro: Uh-huh.
Lisa: ...but they took an hour to make it!
Alejandro: Uh-huh.

Lisa is complaining, but Alejandro's repeated use of “Uh-huh” makes him sound like he doesn’t really care. 

To help you avoid situations like this, let's learn some other useful English phrases that can make our responses sound more natural!

Phrases to Show You’re Interested

The following reactions show that you're not just listening, but also that you're really interested in what your partner is saying:

• Interesting!
• Nice!
• Cool!
• Wow! 
• Oh yeah?

All of these have a similar meaning, but "wow" has the strongest nuance of being impressed.

Also, keep in mind that “nice” here doesn’t mean “kind.” Instead, it means “Cool!” or “Well done!” For example, if someone says they passed a test, you could reply with “Nice!”

Here’s how you can use them:

Use "Oh yeah?" as a casual way to show you're interested and that you want to hear more.

Phrases to Show You Approve

Here are some common English phrases to show you approve of something your conversation partner said or did:

• That makes sense.
• Good call. / Good thinking.

Saying “That makes sense” tells the speaker that you agree with their reasons for doing something.

The “call” in “Good call” means “decision.” So saying “Good call” means “Good decision” or “I think you did the right thing.”

For example:

Phrases to Show You Agree

If you want to show that you agree with your conversation partner, you can use the following:

• I agree. 
• I think so, too.
• That’s true.
• That’s a good point.

“I agree” and “I think so, too” are the most basic ways to agree with someone. If you want to emphasize how much you think someone is right, you can say, “I totally agree.”

“That’s true” and “That’s a good point” also show agreement, but there is less emphasis on your personal feelings and more on what is objective.

Phrases to Show You Sympathize

When someone is sharing bad news, it's especially important to respond in the right way. Here are some casual phrases you can use:

• Oh no!
• Oh my god/goodness!
• That sucks.

Keep in mind that “Oh my god” and “Oh my goodness” can be used for both positive and negative situations.

See how these expressions are used in this dialogue:

And here are some phrases you can use in more serious situations:

• I’m sorry about that.
• I’m really sorry to hear that. / I’m so sorry to hear that.

For example:

Phrases to Show You’re Doubtful

Showing doubt is another way to respond to your conversation partner. Try these reactions:

• Really? / Wait, really
• Are you sure?

Wrap-up

Remember that using "Uh-huh" is fine, but with these expressions, you can add some variety to your responses. Also, you'll be prepared when someone uses them to respond to what you say. Try them out in your next conversation. 

If you're looking for even more tips on being a good chat partner, check out this article next: How to Be a Better Listener in Your English Conversations

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