Common ground (linguistics)

Common ground is like having a secret handshake with your friends. Just like how you and your friends know how to do the special handshake, people who are talking to each other know certain information that they both understand. This information can be things like names, places, or events that they have both experienced.

When people are talking, they use this shared information to help them understand each other. They can also use it to make sure that they have understood each other correctly. If someone doesn't understand something, they can ask questions to make sure they are both on the same page.

Common ground is like a map that helps people find their way through a conversation. Without it, people might get lost and not understand what the other person is saying. But with common ground, people can communicate clearly and effectively.