Asking for and showing attention

Asking for and showing attention

When you tell a story, you can use questions to attract your listeners’ attention. Whereas when you listen to a story, you can use several expressions to show that you are paying attention to what is being talked about.

Asking for attention
• Excuse me, I wonder if I could trouble you ….
• May I have your attention, please?
• Excuse me, ….
• Sorry to trouble you.
• Sorry to bother you.
• Look at me!
• Look what I’ve got here.
• Look here.
• Look!
• Hey!
• Attention, please!
• Excuse me!


Showing attention
• I see. -  Tell me more about it.
• Oh, yes. -  Really?
• Mmm... -  Oh, my God! What happens next?
• A  ha...            -  And then  what?
• How interesting!                     -  What’s next?
• I know what you mean.          -   Is that all?
• Oh, oh!                                    -   Indeed?
• Well, well, well…                   -   Oh, no!