student asking question

Is "you know" here same with "well"? Is there any nuance difference between "you know" and "well"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Here "you know" is being used as a phrase with little meaning. Simply it is being used like a pause while trying to think of what to say next. Ex: Well I just thought, you know, I'd better agree to it. Ex: I'm not happy with the situation but, you know, there isn't much I can do about it. It is different from "well" because "well" is usually used to introduce something you are going to say, often to show surprise, doubt, slight disagreement, or anger, or to continue a story. Ex: Well, what happened next? Ex: He started yelling at me, well, I was scared at first.

Popular Q&As

04/20

Complete the expression with a quiz!