False starts

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mehdihas

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Dear native speakers,
Would you please give me some examples of false starts in spoken English?

Thanks.
 

oregeezer

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
Thailand
In any language a "false start" is when you speak and then realize you said the wrong thing. Some examples might be:
I...I mean, "We' went to the store. (wrong number)
She...er, "he" was late. (wrong sex)
Sally...no, it was Mary who blushed. (wrong name/person)
Keep it up!
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
It can also involve changing your mind, or getting confused, about what you want to say:

Andrea and I drove.. at least I think we did .. or was that Sally? .. no, that was the zoo.. well, anyway, we went to Vienna last week.
 
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