What happens in the video
Theo is explaining where the logo goes, then stops and says, "and I forgot what I was saying." Hana helps in a funny way and claims Theo was saying lunch is on him. Theo tries again with "Sorry. I lost my train of thought. Where was I?" and Hana answers with a list: the logo, then lunch, then dessert for Hana.
1 Where was I?
Tone Casual and quick
Use it when you stop in the middle of a story or explanation and want to continue. Say it, then pick up again. It works with friends and coworkers, but don't use it as your only reply in a very formal speech.
Where was I?
For example:
A: So I opened the door, and then the phone rang. Where was I?
B: You opened the door.
A: Right. And the kitchen was full of water.
2 I lost my train of thought.
Tone Polite, good at work
Use it in meetings, presentations, and calls when you forget the next part of your point. It sounds calm and professional. Add "Sorry" before it if you interrupted the flow for other people.
Sorry. I lost my train of thought.
For example:
A: The second reason we need more time is... sorry, I lost my train of thought.
B: You were talking about the budget.
A: Yes, thank you. The budget changed last week.
3 My mind went blank.
Tone Honest, a bit serious
Use it when you suddenly had no ideas at all, often because of stress, like in an exam, an interview, or on stage. Blank means empty. It is stronger than forgetting one small point.
Suddenly, my mind went blank.
For example:
A: How was the job interview?
B: Not great. They asked about my last project, and my mind went blank.
A: That happens to a lot of people when they're nervous.
4 What was I saying?
Tone Friendly and relaxed
Use it in conversation when someone or something interrupted you. It asks the other person to remind you. It is fine with friends and coworkers, but in a formal presentation "I lost my train of thought" sounds more prepared.
For example:
A: Sorry, I had to answer that message. What was I saying?
B: You were telling me about your new apartment.
5 Where were we?
Tone Warm, shared
Use it when a whole conversation or meeting stopped, not just your sentence. The word "we" makes it a shared moment. Don't use it if only you were speaking and others were not part of the topic.
For example:
A: OK, the delivery person is gone. Where were we?
B: We were choosing a date for the trip.
6 Sorry, I got sidetracked.
Tone Light, a little apologetic
Use it when you started talking about something else and forgot your main point. It admits that you went off topic. It is less useful when you simply forgot and did not change topic.
For example:
A: ...and that's why I hate that parking lot. Sorry, I got sidetracked.
B: You were explaining why you were late.
A: Right. The traffic was terrible.
7 It'll come back to me.
Tone Relaxed, reassuring
Use it when you can't remember your point now and want to move on without stress. It tells people you will return to it later. In a formal meeting, follow it with what you will do next.
For example:
A: There was one more thing about the schedule... no. It'll come back to me.
B: No problem. Let's look at the next slide.
8 Let me start that again.
Tone Calm and in control
Use it when your sentence became confusing and you want a clean restart. It is good for presentations and video calls. Don't use it too often in one talk, or it can sound unprepared.
For example:
A: The plan is to, well, first we... let me start that again.
B: Sure, take your time.
A: We have two steps. First, we test the app.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
I lost my thought train.Better I lost my train of thought.
This is a fixed expression. Keep the words in this order: train of thought. Changing the order makes it sound strange to native speakers.
-
Not quite
Where I was?Better Where was I?
In a question, the verb comes before the subject. Say "Where was I?", not "Where I was?". The second form is only correct inside a longer sentence, like "I forgot where I was."
-
Not quite
My mind went empty.Better My mind went blank.
Blank means empty, but English uses the fixed phrase "went blank" for this feeling. "Went empty" is understandable but sounds unnatural.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
You are giving a presentation at work and forget your next point. Which line sounds the most professional?
- My mind went blank.
- Sorry, I lost my train of thought.
- What was I saying?
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: Sorry, I lost my train of thought. It is polite and calm, and it works well in meetings and presentations.
-
In an exam, you suddenly cannot remember anything at all. What do you tell a friend later?
- Where was I?
- I got sidetracked.
- My mind went blank.
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: My mind went blank. "Went blank" means you had no ideas at all, often because of stress.
-
Your phone rang during dinner, and you and your friend both forgot the topic. What is the best way to ask?
- Where were we?
- My mind went blank.
- Let me start that again.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Where were we? "We" shows that the whole conversation stopped, not just your sentence.
-
What does "I got sidetracked" mean?
- I was very tired.
- I started talking about something else and lost my main point.
- I disagreed with the other person.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: I started talking about something else and lost my main point. Getting sidetracked means moving away from your main topic.
-
Which question is correct?
- Where I was?
- Where was I?
- Where I am was?
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Where was I? In a question, "was" comes before "I".
Questions learners ask
What does "lost my train of thought" mean?
It means you forgot what you were going to say next. Your ideas were moving in a line, like a train, and the line stopped. It is polite and common at work, especially in meetings and presentations.
Is "Where was I?" rude or informal?
It is not rude. It is casual and quick, so it fits most conversations with friends and coworkers. Say it, then continue your point. In a formal talk, "Sorry, I lost my train of thought" sounds a little more polished.
What is the difference between "my mind went blank" and "I forgot"?
"I forgot" can be about one small detail. "My mind went blank" means you suddenly had no ideas at all. People often use it about stressful moments, like an exam, an interview, or speaking in public.
How can I sound confident when I forget what I was saying?
Keep it short and calm. Use one line, such as "Where was I?" or "Let me start that again," then continue right away. If you can't remember, say "It'll come back to me" and move to your next point.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Theo and Hana are animated characters made with Google Flow.
