‘THOUGHT GROUPS’ or PHRASING Public Speaking ‘THOUGHT GROUPS’ or PHRASING FROM: ESL Pronunciation Work Page Created originally to accompany Academic Spoken English Pronunciation http://grove.ufl.edu/~klilj/pron/ Bridget Green Extension 2006

What are ‘thought groups’? Written English = punctuation to show pauses.  Spoken English = group words by their meaning and pause between them.  It's important to know where to put the pauses in the sentences so that you can sound more like a native-speaker.

First things first…

Thought Group Patterns Use the Punctuation My sister, who is older, isn’t married. He’s funny; I like him. He has two great features: his eyes and his smile. periods. commas, semi-colons; colons: 

Thought Group Patterns Emily and Josh have been living in Pullman. The guy next door ought to have called for the last few months. When there isn’t any punctuation, where are the thought groups?

Thought Group Patterns? How do you know where the ‘thought groups’ are? GRAMMAR

Thought Group Patterns Emily and Josh The guy who lives next door Noun phrases:  Verb phrases:  have been living ought to have called

Thought Group Patterns in Pullman for a couple of months Prepositional phrases:  Parenthetical phrases:  phrasing (or thought groups) this is, in fact, an example.

Thought Group Patterns Short subject & verb:  Mary likes him. The guy smiled.

The important thing to remember Pausing The important thing to remember is to pause in the right places. 

Let’s try it. With a partner read these sentences out loud. Where should you pause?

Let’s try it. Ladies and gentlemen / thank you / for coming tonight.

Let’s try it. I’d like to tell you a little bit about the art of Japanese origami, or paper folding. I’d like to tell you / a little bit / about the art / of Japanese origami, / or paper folding.

Let’s try it. First, let me explain the history of origami (although, I must admit, it’s not perfectly clear). First, / let me explain / the history of origami / (although, / I must admit, / it’s not perfectly clear).

speaking in thought groups That’s it! Remember: speaking in thought groups will make you easier to understand.