False start
The initiation of an utterance that is abandoned before completion, typically restarted with a different formulation. False starts reveal real-time speech production.
Real World
During a live Sky News interview, a politician began 'We will cut tax— we will reform the tax system' — a classic false start revealing real-time reformulation under broadcast pressure.
Exam Focus
Quote the exact false start in your analysis and explain what it reveals about the speaker's cognitive planning process.
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