REJOINDERS
Rejoinders are expressions we use to react to what someone has said to show that we understand and sympathize with them. Learning to use rejoinders will make we sound much more fluent in English. People will also enjoy talking to you more than if you do not use them.
Being able to use rejoinders well is a beneficial communication skill in any language and a sign of a good listener. Rejoinders help keep conversations going. They also make conversations better. When people do not use them, they appear uninterested, bored, or confused.
There are three things that rejoinders communicate:
- I’m listening.
- I understand.
- I care. (Even if you don’t care, you should use them to be polite.)
4 Categories of Rejoinders
1. If someone says something happy or good:
- Really? (This is happy only with the correct tone.)
- That’s great!
- Nice!
- Cool!
- That’s awesome!
2. If someone says something sad or bad:
- That’s too bad. (This is used more when something is disappointing or not good.)
- (I’m) Sorry to hear that. (This is used to express care and used for deaths and other sad situations.)
- That’s terrible. (This is used when something very bad or serious happens.)
- Oh, no! (This has an element of surprise, but it is a negative misfortune.)
3. If someone says something surprising:
- Really?! (This is surprising only with the correct tone.)
- Wait…What?! (This is very common in TV shows these days and can also express confusion.)
- Seriously?!
- Are you serious?
- For real?!
- No way!
- Get out!
- Wow! (This is used for happy surprises, but with a different tone, it could be a shocking or disappointing surprise.)
4. If someone says something neutral (not good, not bad, not surprising):
- I see. (Basically, you are saying I understand.)
- Oh, yeah? (This expresses a bit more interest than I see.)
- Interesting. (The level of interest will vary with the tone used.)
- That’s nice. (This also varies, but can be used when something has a positive element.)
This is video for rejoinders:
https://youtu.be/Ur09-8_1w4k