Welcome! Today we'll practice small phrases that help you buy time and sound natural when you are unsure. These little pauses are like social glue — they keep conversation friendly while you think.
Level A2: In this lesson you'll practice common hesitation phrases like "Just a second," "Let me see," and softening frames like "I think maybe..." and "It's kind of..." These short chunks help you pause politely, ask for help finding a word, or give a tentative opinion. (CEFR-aligned, friendly practice.)
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Learn 13 everyday hesitation phrases for polite pauses and unsure answers.
Practice using these chunks to buy time, ask for help, and soften your opinions.
Feel more confident in short conversations when you need a moment to think.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
Well, I'm not sure.
Signal uncertainty before giving an answer or opinion.
Meaning: Signal uncertainty before giving an answer or opinion.
When to use:
Well, I'm not sure. Maybe it's closed on Mondays.
Well, I'm not sure. Maybe it's closed on Mondays.
Well, I'm not sure, but I can check the website.
Well, I'm not sure, but I can check the website.
Just a second.
Ask for a very short pause to think or act.
Meaning: Ask for a very short pause to think or act.
When to use:
Just a second — I need to tie my shoe.
Just a second — I need to tie my shoe.
Can you wait? Just a second and I'll be right back.
Can you wait? Just a second and I'll be right back.
Give me a moment.
Politely ask for time to think before continuing.
Meaning: Politely ask for time to think before continuing.
When to use:
Give me a moment, I'll find the address.
Give me a moment, I'll find the address.
Give me a moment — I want to think about that.
Give me a moment — I want to think about that.
What's the word?
Ask for help or time when searching for a word.
Meaning: Ask for help or time when searching for a word.
When to use:
What's the word for that small kitchen tool?
What's the word for that small kitchen tool?
What's the word? I use it to slice vegetables.
What's the word? I use it to slice vegetables.
It's kind of ___.
Give an approximate description when the exact word is missing.
Meaning: Give an approximate description when the exact word is missing.
When to use:
Tip: Beginners sometimes drop the blank incorrectly, saying "It's kind of is..." instead of "It's kind of ___."
It's kind of spicy — not very hot, but with a kick.
It's kind of spicy — not very hot, but with a kick.
The color is kind of green, like olive.
The color is kind of green, like olive.
I think maybe ___.
Express a tentative idea without sounding too direct.
Meaning: Express a tentative idea without sounding too direct.
When to use:
I think maybe we should go earlier to avoid traffic.
I think maybe we should go earlier to avoid traffic.
I think maybe he meant the other meeting.
I think maybe he meant the other meeting.
Maybe ___, but ___.
Introduce a hesitant contrast or partial disagreement.
Meaning: Introduce a hesitant contrast or partial disagreement.
When to use:
Tip: Watch the order: the structure is "Maybe X, but Y." Some learners say "But X, maybe Y" which sounds confusing.
Maybe it's okay, but the price is high.
Maybe it's okay, but the price is high.
Maybe we can try that, but I'm concerned about time.
Maybe we can try that, but I'm concerned about time.
Let me see.
Pause briefly while thinking before answering.
Meaning: Pause briefly while thinking before answering.
When to use:
Let me see — I think the train leaves at five.
Let me see — I think the train leaves at five.
Let me see, I have the file on my desk.
Let me see, I have the file on my desk.
I'm trying to remember.
Show that the speaker is trying to recall information.
Meaning: Show that the speaker is trying to recall information.
When to use:
I'm trying to remember her name — it starts with L.
I'm trying to remember her name — it starts with L.
I'm trying to remember where I put my keys.
I'm trying to remember where I put my keys.
It's hard to explain.
Explain that an idea is difficult to put into words.
Meaning: Explain that an idea is difficult to put into words.
When to use:
It's hard to explain, but it felt wrong.
It's hard to explain, but it felt wrong.
It's hard to explain why I like that song.
It's hard to explain why I like that song.
I can't remember exactly.
Hedge when the speaker cannot recall details with confidence.
Meaning: Hedge when the speaker cannot recall details with confidence.
When to use:
I can't remember exactly when we met.
I can't remember exactly when we met.
I can't remember exactly how much I paid.
I can't remember exactly how much I paid.
You know, ___.
Introduce a thought softly while buying time.
Meaning: Introduce a thought softly while buying time.
When to use:
Tip: Don't overuse 'You know' at the start of every sentence — it can sound informal or repetitive.
You know, I think that movie was better than I expected.
You know, I think that movie was better than I expected.
You know, it's strange that she didn't come.
You know, it's strange that she didn't come.
It's more like ___.
Approximate an idea when the exact word or category is not clear.
Meaning: Approximate an idea when the exact word or category is not clear.
When to use:
It's more like a salad, not a main dish.
It's more like a salad, not a main dish.
The show is more like a documentary than a drama.
The show is more like a documentary than a drama.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David try to remember the name of a restaurant.
What are Anna and David doing?
Anna
Do you remember the name of that restaurant on Main Street?
Do you remember the name of that restaurant on Main Street?
David
Just a second. Let me see... I'm trying to remember.
Just a second. Let me see... I'm trying to remember.
Anna
What's the word? It's more like Italian, right?
What's the word? It's more like Italian, right?
David
Well, I'm not sure. I think maybe it's the small place near the park.
Well, I'm not sure. I think maybe it's the small place near the park.
Anna
Maybe it's 'Bella', but I can't remember exactly.
Maybe it's 'Bella', but I can't remember exactly.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
You need a very short pause while you pick up your phone. What do you say?
You want to give a tentative opinion without sounding too direct. Which fits best?
Which phrase tells the listener you are trying to remember something?
You need help finding a single word in conversation. Which phrase do you use?
A: Do you remember when the meeting starts? B: I can't remember exactly. I can't place the time right now.
A: Do you remember when the meeting starts? B: __ I can't place the time right now.
When the teacher asks a tricky question, you say, 'Give me a moment.' before answering.
When the teacher asks a tricky question, you say, '__' before answering.
The soup was good. Maybe it was fresh, but the service was slow.
The soup was good. '__' the service was slow.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
Well, I'm not sure.
Signal uncertainty before giving an answer or opinion.
Say this phrase out loud:
Just a second.
Ask for a very short pause to think or act.
Say this phrase out loud:
Give me a moment.
Politely ask for time to think before continuing.
Say this phrase out loud:
What's the word?
Ask for help or time when searching for a word.
Say this phrase out loud:
It's kind of ___.
Give an approximate description when the exact word is missing.
Say this phrase out loud:
I think maybe ___.
Express a tentative idea without sounding too direct.
Say this phrase out loud:
Maybe ___, but ___.
Introduce a hesitant contrast or partial disagreement.
Say this phrase out loud:
Let me see.
Pause briefly while thinking before answering.
Say this phrase out loud:
I'm trying to remember.
Show that the speaker is trying to recall information.
Say this phrase out loud:
It's hard to explain.
Explain that an idea is difficult to put into words.
Say this phrase out loud:
I can't remember exactly.
Hedge when the speaker cannot recall details with confidence.
Say this phrase out loud:
You know, ___.
Introduce a thought softly while buying time.
Say this phrase out loud:
It's more like ___.
Approximate an idea when the exact word or category is not clear.
