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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.