Have you ever been in the middle of an English conversation and suddenly… your mind just goes blank? You know what you want to say, but the right words just don’t come out. You pause or freeze? And in your head, you’re thinking: “Why does this always happen to me?” Trust me, I’ve been there too. As someone who didn’t grow up speaking English fluently, I used to face this almost every day.Even now, sometimes when I’m tired or nervous, I still need a second to find the right words. But over time, I’ve learned a few smart ways to keep the conversation going — even when I get stuck. So in this post, I’ll share: Why we get stuck while speaking? Simple things to say when you’re stuck Real-life examples you can start using today Tips to become more confident in handling these moments Are you ready? Let’s start then! Why Do We Get Stuck While Speaking English? Before we jump into the solutions, let’s understand the problem. Here are some common reasons you might freeze while speaking: You’re thinking in your native language and trying to translate into English You’re afraid of making a mistake or sounding wrong You don’t have enough vocabulary for that specific topic You’re just nervous or overthinking All of this is completely normal.Speaking in a second language takes practice — not just grammar practice, but real talking experience. And the good news? You don’t need to speak perfect English. You just need to stay in the conversation. What Can You Say When You Get Stuck? When your brain blanks out, the key is not to panic or go silent.Instead, use some simple, natural phrases that give you time to think, without sounding awkward. Bonus tip: Speak slowly! Yes, you don’t need to speak fast. Believe me. Use Fillers That Native Speakers Use: These are short phrases that keep the flow going: “Let me think for a second…” “What I mean is…” “Umm, how should I say this…” “That’s a good question…” “I’m trying to find the right word…” “Give me a moment to think…” These aren’t just for learners — even fluent speakers use them all the time. Real-Life Examples: How to Handle Awkward Pauses Let’s say you’re in a job interview or talking to a colleague, and you can’t remember the exact word.Here’s what you can do: Example 1: You Forget a Word You want to say:“I want to build my own startup someday.” But you forget the word “startup.” You can say: “I want to build my own… umm… business project. I can’t remember the word, but I mean like a new company, like a startup.” See? You’re still communicating your message clearly. Example 2: You Don’t Know How to Respond Quickly Someone asks you:“What do you think about remote work?” And you’re unsure what to say right away. Try this: “That’s an interesting question. I haven’t thought about it deeply, but I’d say it has both good and bad sides…” Now you’ve bought yourself some time and sounded thoughtful. Example 3: You Make a Grammar Mistake You say:“He go to office every day.” Then realize it should be “He goes.” You can correct it like this: “Sorry — I meant, he goes to office every day.” Making a mistake is okay — correcting it quickly builds confidence and trust. Handy Phrases to Keep the Conversation Flowing Here are some phrases you can memorize and use when you feel stuck or unsure: Situation Phrase You need time to think “Let me think about that…” You didn’t hear or understand “Could you repeat that, please?” You didn’t catch a word “Sorry, what does that mean?” You forget a word “It’s on the tip of my tongue… it’s like…” You want to change your sentence “Wait, let me say that in a better way.” You make a mistake “Oops, I meant to say…” Try writing these down and practicing them. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel. Bonus Tip: Don’t Let Silence Scare You Many English learners feel they have to respond instantly, like there’s a timer.But in real conversations, even native speakers pause and think. Silence is okay! If you need 2–3 seconds to respond, that’s normal.Just keep your body language relaxed, smile, and use one of the phrases above if needed. What Helped Me Speak Better As someone who didn’t study in an English-medium school, I had to train myself slowly: Watching English interviews and noting how people talk Practicing speaking with friends and recording myself Learning short, flexible phrases I can use anytime Not being afraid to sound “less than perfect” And now, through TalkEasy English, I try to help others do the same, by making speaking feel simple, real, and stress-free. Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Get Stuck- Just Keep Going If you take just one thing from this post, let it be this: Getting stuck doesn’t mean you’re bad at English. It just means you’re learning. And learning means progress. So next time you feel that mental block, don’t freeze.Smile, say “Let me think,” and keep going. You’ve got this. And hey — if you ever want to practice with someone, need tips, or feel nervous about speaking, come hang out at TalkEasy English. I’ve been where you are, and I’m still learning too.