Conversational analysis is a tool used by sociolinguist to examine dialog between two or more people. The analysis can include such aspects as social 
One unique tool in conversational analysis identifying adjacency pairs. Adjacency pairs are two-part utterances in which the second speaker is replying to something the first speaker said. In this post, we will look at the following examples of adjacency pairs.
- Request-agreement
- Question-Answer
- Assessment-Agreement
- Greeting-Greeting
- Compliment-Acceptance
- Conversational Concluder
- Complaint-Apology
- Blame-Denial
- Threat-Counterthreat
- Warning-Acknowledgement
- Offer-Acceptance
Request-Agreement
Request involves asking someone to do something and agreement indicates that the person will do it. Below is an example
A: Could you open the window?
B: No problem
Question-Answer
One person request information from another. THis is different from request agreement because there is no need to agree. Below is an example
A: Where are you from?
B: I am from Laos
Assessment-Agreement
Assessment seeks an opinion from someone and agreement is a positive position on the subject. The example is below
A: Do you like the food?
B: Yeah, it taste great!
Greeting-Greeting
Two people say hello to one another.
A: Hello
B: Hello
Compliment-Acceptance
One person commends something about the other who shows appreciation for the comment.
A: I really like your shoes
B: Thank you
Conversational Concluder
This is a comment that singles the end of a conversation.
A: Goodbye
B: See you later
Complaint-Apology
One person indicates they are not happy with something and the other person express regret over this.
A: The food is too spicy
B: We’re so sorry
Blame-Denial
One person accuses another who tries to defend himself.
A: You lost the phone?
B: No I didn’t!
Threat-Counterthreat
Two people mutually resist each other.
A: Sit down or I will call your parents!
B: Make me
Warning-Acknowledgement
One person issues a threat or danger and the other indicates they understand
A: Look both ways before crossing the street
B: No problem
Offer-Acceptance
One person gives something and the other person shows appreciation
A: Here’s the money
B: Thank you so much
Conclusion
These kinds of conversational pairs appear whenever people talk. For the average person, this is not important. However, when trying to look at the context of a conversation tot understanding what is affecting the way people are speaking understanding and identifying adjacency pairs can be useful.