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Topics, openings and closings

501b

Self-reports and reports of what other participants in the conversation have said

are often used in spoken language to repeat a point already made, to signal a

desire to open or close a topic, or to return to an earlier topic, perhaps after a

diversion or interruption.

Opening or changing a topic

For signalling a desire to open a new topic or change the topic, past progressive

reporting verbs are often used:

The + sign indicates an interrupted turn which continues at the next + sign

[speakers have been talking about a forthcoming trip to New York]

A: So where are you staying? 

B: Erm I think it’s Thirty-eighth Street. It’s just a couple of blocks south of

Time Square. 

A: Yeah. Yeah. 

B: So it should be okay+ 

A: Yeah. 

B: +shouldn’t it. 

A: Erm Mark was saying he’s been in Exeter and Swansea this week on a course. 

B: Who Mark? 

A: Yeah. He’s with a chap who used to work in the health service in Edinburgh.