Do you like to drop random trivia facts in English conversations?
In this episode, Lindsay and Michelle share with you four ways to introduce new information so that it doesn’t seem so random.
Listen in and bring the way you connect in English to a higher level. Build the skills to be able to sneak trivia facts into the conversation in English.
Sharing Trivia in Conversations
Michelle asked Lindsay if she ever shared random interesting facts with her family and friends.
Lindsay answers yes and shares that she would start her sentence with “Fun fact.” as an introduction.
It’s a way for her to make fun of herself because she is mentioning something that is so random.
She also feels that she sounds nerdy to share something out of nowhere, especially if it’s about something she read regarding current events or society.
Connecting with People Through Trivia
Sharing interesting facts and information can sometimes be hard to slip into a conversation without sounding random.
Michelle mentions that she did this recently where she read something interesting about a show she was watching and texted her friend randomly about it because she knows her friend watches the show too.
They haven’t been in touch for a while and Michelle just reached out all of a sudden to share what she read.
It is fun and exciting to share trivia with people you know because it creates a connection where you make them feel special.
It shows that you are thinking of them.
It also reminds them of how special they are to you because you remember their interests and things that would get them excited.
Four Helpful Expressions to Share Trivia
Sharing, either food, things or even information, is always fun, especially when done with loved ones.
Sharing information and trivia in an English conversation should be introduced smoothly so it doesn’t sound abrupt.
Here are some examples with a short roleplay from Lindsay and Michelle.
You can practice using the following:
- Here’s a Trivia Fact For You.
This is more neutral. This doesn’t necessarily have to be specific to the person you’re sharing the information with. Trivia in itself is fun, random knowledge and this is a common way to just bring it into the conversation.
Lindsay: Okay, Michelle, here’s a trivia question for you. Which Friends character made a terrible Thanksgiving dessert?
Michelle: Rachel! I love that episode.
- Little Known Fact
You can use this expression by itself or add “Here’s a..” at the beginning. This approach brings a hint of curiosity to your listener. You are mentioning at the start that what you’re about to share is not common knowledge.
Michelle: Oh Lindsay this is fun.
Lindsay: What!
Michelle: Little known fact – hiking uses every muscle in your body!
Lindsay: That’s awesome. I love hiking!
- Not Many People Know This, But
Similar to “Little Known Fact,” when you use this phrase you are letting in the person on trivia that is new and he or she may not know. This can be used when you are tips or insider information that only a small group of people know.
Michelle: Not many people know this, but Courtney Cox was originally thought of to play Rachel on Friends!
Lindsay: Really? Wow!
- Here is A Cool/ Neat/ Fun Tidbit For You
This introduction is very straight to the point and builds the excitement of the person you’re talking to. You are already giving them an idea that what you are about to share will be very interesting to them.
Lindsay: Here’s a fun tidbit for you Michelle. People who travel are 70 percent happier than people who don’t! (I made this up)
Michelle: Wow that’s amazing!
Does the All Ears English Team Enjoy Trivia?
Lindsay askes Michelle if she likes trivia.
Michelle says that it sometimes makes her nervous but she does enjoy it.
Lindsay is comfortable with general trivia. She is not really knowledgeable about pop culture.
She also shares that she does participate in trivia night games at bars and in her experience, she would steer away from joining trivia games in the Boston area.
This is because the universities near the area are full of very intelligent people so the bars would prepare very hard questions for their trivia game nights.
Michelle finds this so interesting.
She commends Lindsay for noticing that the difficulty of questions depends on the demographics of the bar.
Takeaway
It is always fun to learn new information and even more fun to share it with friends family.
It creates that connection that elevates your English conversations.
It is also good practice for your English skills to be able to introduce trivia in the conversation without making it sound random.
Sharing something out of context feels disruptive.
It may also make you look either out-of-touch in the conversation or a know-it-all.
You must smoothly bring in a new piece of information or new topic into the conversation.
You can use the four phrases and expressions shared by Lindsay and Michelle to inject more fun into the conversation and make your English more interesting.
Plus these phrases will help you connect with others over random pieces of information.
It can help you share who you are, what you’re interested in and make the person you’re talking to feel special because you chose to share this new information with them.
Hopefully, these tips have been helpful to boost your confidence to speak like a native English speaker.
Try this connection skill out today!
What is a trivia fact you want to share with us?
Share in the comments below.
