Say what is missing in one short phrase
Pick the phrase that fits, then describe at once. An apology alone gives the listener nothing to work with.
- “Sorry, I can’t remember the word.” You knew it, but it has gone for now.
- “Sorry, I don’t know the word in English.” You never learned it.
- “What’s it called?” This asks the listener for the name.
- “It’s on the tip of my tongue.” You almost have it; a clue may bring it back.
Four clues that identify almost any object
Size and colour are weak clues: “It’s small and black” fits a hundred things. Function is usually the strongest, so give it early.
- Category: “It’s a kind of portable lock.” (a padlock). A type of and a sort of also work.
- Function: “It’s a thing used for measuring walls and furniture.” Or with to + verb: “something you use to tighten nuts”.
- Appearance and parts: “It rolls into a small case.”
- Contrast: “It’s like a nail, but it has a thread and you turn it.” (a screw). The difference after but does the identifying.
- Relative clauses join clues: “the thing that holds the paper on the wall”, “the tool you use for cutting wire”. Before a new subject, that is optional.
Hear it at a tool counter
A customer is missing two words. Notice the order: warning, function, physical detail. The assistant guesses with a question; one word confirms it.
Maya Can I help you find something?
Owen Yes, please. Sorry, I don't know the first word. It's a thing used for checking how long or wide something is. It rolls into a small case.
Maya A tape measure?
Owen Exactly. I also need something that's like glue, but it comes as a clear strip on a roll.
When you are the listener: narrow it down, then guess
A confident wrong answer derails the conversation. Ask one question that splits the options, then guess with rising intonation.
- Narrow: “Is it for wood or metal?”
- Guess: “Do you mean a tape measure?” “A tape measure?”
- Confirm: “Exactly.” “Yes, that’s the one.”
- Correct: “Not quite. It’s smaller, and you don’t plug it in.”
After the name: purpose and permission
The name rarely ends the conversation. The assistant asks what the tape is for, because the answer changes her advice, then sets conditions: can for permission, have to for a rule.
Sellotape is a British brand name used for any clear sticky tape; Americans usually say Scotch tape.
Maya You mean Sellotape. Is this for a permanent repair?
Owen No, just to hold a paper template against the wall before I drill.
Maya Then Sellotape should be fine. You can borrow the tape measure, but you have to use the drill here in the supervised area.
Three everyday tools to practise on
Say each name before you check it, then describe an object from your own work. Discuss: is describing a lost word better than checking a translation app?
- “It’s a thing used for turning screws.” A screwdriver.
- “It’s a tool used for gripping and turning nuts.” A spanner (UK) or a wrench (US).
- “It’s a portable light that runs on batteries.” A torch (UK) or a flashlight (US).
Common mistakes
Check your descriptions for these:
- “a thing used for measure” or “used for to measure”. Say “used for measuring” or “used to measure”.
- “It’s a kind of a lock.” Say “a kind of lock”.
- “It’s like a nail.” and nothing more. Add the difference: “…but you turn it.”
- Stating a guess as a fact: “That’s a tape measure.” Ask instead: “Do you mean a tape measure?”
A 10-minute daily practice routine
Say everything out loud; the aim is to keep talking.
- 2 minutes: play the five phrase cards above and repeat each one.
- 3 minutes: describe three objects near you with all four clues, never saying the name.
- 3 minutes: pause the conversation after each customer line and reply as the assistant: a narrowing question, then a guess.
- 2 minutes: describe something whose English name you don’t know, then look it up and use it in a sentence.
What comes next
Next, use the same steps to report a problem: a cash machine that returned your card but no money. Then make a request with a clear limit, such as a trim that keeps your length. For grammar, compare life since a move with the two present perfect forms.