Practice
Discourse questions: keep a conversation moving
Sign in to saveA colleague says, ‘I started a photography course last month.’ You could say ‘Good.’ Or you could ask, ‘Oh, really? What do you enjoy taking photos of?’ The second response shows that you heard the idea and gives the speaker an easy next step.
Use short follow-up questions to show interest, clarify an idea, and help a conversation continue naturally.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Oh, really? What happened next? /əʊ ˈrɪə.li wɒt ˈhæp.ənd nekst/
The short answer
Listen for one useful detail, react briefly, then ask about that detail. Use questions such as ‘How did that happen?’, ‘What was it like?’, ‘And then what happened?’ or ‘What do you mean by that?’ to invite the speaker to continue.
I moved to Bristol in June. Oh, really? What brought you there?
Why it works: The question picks up the move and asks for its reason without changing the subject suddenly.
5 more examples
-
I got lost on the way to the museum. Oh no. How did you find it in the end?
The question follows the story and asks about its result.
Not this:I got lost on the way to the museum.
Did you go to the museum?What changes: This is possible, but it asks only for a yes-or-no answer and gives less room for the story to continue. -
My sister has started a new job. What is she doing there?
The speaker mentioned a job, so the question asks for a natural related detail.
Not this:My sister has started a new job.
Where do you live?What changes: The question changes the topic without a connection, so the first speaker may not know how to continue. -
The train was delayed because of a signal problem. What do you mean by a signal problem?
This politely asks the speaker to explain a word or idea.
Not this:The train was delayed because of a signal problem.
I do not understand. What changes: This is clear but less specific. Naming the part you want explained makes the reply easier. -
We spent the weekend hiking near the coast. That sounds lovely. What was the weather like?
A short reaction shows attention before the follow-up question.
Not this:We spent the weekend hiking near the coast.
Why did you do that?What changes: Why can sound critical in this context. Ask about the experience unless you need a reason. -
I met Elena at the conference. Elena from the design team?
A short echo question checks which Elena the speaker means.
Not this:I met Elena at the conference.
Who is Elena?What changes: This direct question is useful when you have no shared context; the echo question is useful when you have a likely reference in mind.
Read the full guide
A flowing conversation has turns. One person gives information; the other person responds and creates room for the next turn. You do not need a long question every time. A short reaction followed by one clear question is often enough. Choose a question that fits the speaker's information and how well you know them.
Notice the detail you can ask about
A good follow-up grows from the last turn. Listen for a noun, action, place, time, or feeling that you can return to. If someone says they visited a city, you might ask about the journey, a place they saw, or what they liked there. This connection helps the conversation feel shared.
I tried a new recipe last night. What did you make?
The question repeats the idea of a recipe and asks for the missing detail.
React briefly before you ask
A small reaction can show that you are listening: Really?, I see, that is great, or that sounds difficult. Follow it with a question if you want the speaker to continue. Choose a reaction that matches the news; a cheerful response may be wrong after a problem or disappointment.
I finally passed my driving test. That is great. How was the lesson?
That is great acknowledges the news, and the second question opens a related part of the experience.
Use open questions to invite more detail
Open questions often begin with what, how, where, when, who, or why. They invite the other person to choose how much to say. What was it like? and How did you decide? are useful when you want an opinion or a story. Keep the question focused on one point.
We changed the plan at the last minute. How did everyone react?
How did everyone react? encourages a fuller answer than Did everyone agree?
Clarify a word or reference politely
Ask for clarification when you are unsure about one part of what you heard. Useful patterns include What do you mean by ...?, Which one do you mean?, and Do you mean ...? These questions help you understand while showing that you are trying to follow the conversation.
I need to speak to the coordinator. Do you mean Priya in the main office?
The question offers a possible meaning, so the speaker can confirm it or correct it easily.
Help a story continue without taking over
When someone is telling a story, use questions that keep the order clear: What happened next?, And then?, or What did you do after that? Avoid interrupting every sentence. Let the speaker finish one part, then ask a question that invites the next part.
The lights went out during the presentation. What happened next?
What happened next? lets the storyteller choose the next important event instead of forcing a new topic.
Choose a respectful question for personal topics
Some subjects need a gentler question. If a person mentions a difficult situation, ask about what they want to share rather than demanding private details. You can say, ‘How are things now?’ or ‘Is there anything I can do?’ Then accept a short answer and move on if they do not wish to continue.
I have had a stressful week. I am sorry to hear that. How are things now?
How are things now? gives the speaker a choice about the amount of detail to share.
Before you go
Remember this
To keep a conversation moving, connect your question to the speaker's last idea. React briefly, choose one detail, and ask an open question when you want the speaker to expand. Use a clarifying question if a word or reference is unclear, and use a gentle tone when the topic is personal.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Discourse questions: keep a conversation moving"
What is a discourse question?
A discourse question helps organise a conversation as well as asking for information. It can show interest, invite another person to expand on an idea, check what they mean, or help them continue a story.
I got lost on the way to the museum. Oh no. How did you find it in the end?
How can I ask a natural follow-up question?
Listen for one detail in the last thing the speaker said, then ask about that detail. If they mention a place, ask what it was like or how they got there. If they mention an event, ask what happened next or how they felt about it.
I got lost on the way to the museum. Did you go to the museum?
When should I use an open question?
Use an open question when you want the other person to give detail, an opinion, or a story. Questions beginning with what, how, where, when, who, and why often invite a longer response than a question that can be answered with yes or no.
My sister has started a new job. What is she doing there?
How can I ask for clarification politely?
Name the part you want to understand and use a clear pattern such as What do you mean by ...?, Which one do you mean?, or Do you mean ...? This lets the speaker know exactly what to explain or confirm.
My sister has started a new job. Where do you live?
What should I ask after someone shares difficult news?
Begin with a calm, sympathetic response, then ask a question that leaves the person a choice. How are things now? or Is there anything I can do? can be more respectful than asking immediately for private details.
The train was delayed because of a signal problem. What do you mean by a signal problem?