When a word will not come, describe around it and keep speaking. A clear description keeps the discussion alive, and your partner may supply the word for you.
This lesson finishes the guide on collaborative speaking when ideas run out. Pair it with adding a reason to a partner’s idea.
What are three paraphrase routes?
- Describe the use: “It is the thing we use for …”
- Name the type: “It is a kind of …, and it is …”
- Use a near word: “It is like a …, but …”
Pick the route that comes fastest, say it, and continue your sentence.
Worked example: the word “recycling bin”
The task: you want to say that the school needs more recycling bins, but the phrase will not come.
Freezing (weak). “The school needs more … um … I do not know the word.” Then silence.
Paraphrasing (strong). “The school needs more of the big containers where we put used paper and plastic bottles, so they can be collected and used again.”
The strong version describes the use. Your partner may reply, “Recycling bins, yes”, and the discussion moves on.
More examples of the three routes
Suppose the word you want is “scholarship”.
- Use: “It is money that helps a student study.”
- Type: “It is a kind of prize, and it pays for school fees.”
- Near word: “It is like a grant, but it is given for good results.”
Each one is understandable on its own, and none needs the exact word.
The mistake that costs marks
The slip is to stop and wait for the word. The pause breaks the turn, and your partner may take over.
| Version | Turn |
|---|---|
| Wrong | We should get a … um … I forgot. |
| Right | We should get the thing that keeps food cold, so the snacks stay fresh. |
A quick check: if your description would help a stranger guess the word, it is a good paraphrase.
Check yourself
You want to say “a fundraiser” but cannot recall the word. Write a one-sentence paraphrase for a discussion about helping a school.
Answer
A good answer: “We could organise an event where we sell things to collect money for the school.”
It describes the use of a fundraiser and keeps the sentence moving. Another acceptable answer is “a special day to collect money”.
What to study next
Put all four recovery moves together on the practice set for this guide. You can rehearse paraphrasing aloud with the speaking rehearsal tool.
If you want a teacher to set topics that need words you do not yet have, see online one-to-one English tuition.