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One should avoid obscurity and ambiguity, and be orderly. Example: Giving clear directions using landmarks rather than vague descriptions.

Sub-principles of the Cooperative Principle including the maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner. Example: Stating a fact as, 'It's cold outside,' when it's actually freezing, may violate the Maxim of Quantity for not being informative enough.

The principle that participants in a conversation naturally work together to understand each other. Example: In a conversation, one person does not monopolize the conversation and gives others a chance to speak.

One should not say what they believe to be false or for which they lack evidence. Example: Not making up an answer when you do not know it.

One should be as informative as necessary, and no more. Example: When asked where you live, you give the city rather than coordinates.

The theory positing that saying something can constitute an action. Example: Saying 'I apologize' performs the action of apologizing.

One should be relevant, and say things that are pertinent to the discussion. Example: Answering a question about the weather with today's weather, not yesterday's sports scores.

A method by which speakers recognize and resolve misunderstandings in conversation. Example: Repeating or rephrasing something that was not heard or understood properly.

Background assumptions implied by utterances that are taken for granted. Example: 'John managed to stop smoking' presupposes John used to smoke.

The performance of an act in saying something beyond the content itself. Example: 'I promise to come tomorrow' not only states an intent but also performs the act of promising.

The effect that uttering a sentence has on the listener. Example: Persuading, convincing, scaring, enlightening, inspiring, or otherwise getting a listener to do or feel something.

Listener responses in a conversation that can either be verbal or non-verbal to indicate comprehension or agreement. Example: Nodding or uttering 'mhm', 'yeah' during a conversation.

The social norm that suggests conversationalists should maintain face for themselves and those they interact with. Example: Saying 'Could I possibly...?' instead of 'Give me...'.

Words or phrases that require contextual information to be understood. Example: 'This' in 'This is nice,' depends on what 'this' is referring to.

Behavior by one individual that is perceived as challenging the social worth of another. Example: Direct criticism in a public setting might threaten someone's positive face.

The act of saying something with a certain meaning in terms of sense and reference. Example: The phrase 'The cat is on the mat' conveys that there is a cat and it is positioned on the mat.

The manner in which speakers know when to speak and when to yield the floor to others during a conversation. Example: One person speaking at a time during a meeting before another person takes a turn.

The additional intended meaning that is not explicitly stated. Example: Saying 'Can you pass the salt?' implicating a request to actually pass the salt.

The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a single conversation. Example: A bilingual speaker using Spanish with one friend and English with another in a group conversation.