Guide to English grammar

So I got... and we... and then we... and we...
This is less usual in writing.

2 There are a number of words and phrases used only or mainly in spoken English.

For example, the word well often comes at the beginning of a clause.
Well, I'm not quite sure. (hesitating before answering)
Well, wasn't that fun! (expressing feelings)
Well, I think I've done enough for today. (changing the topic)
A practical guide to English grammar 54
3 There are some vague expressions more typical of speech than writing. For example, a speaker uses “you know” when unsure of the best way to express something.
I was late for an appointment and I was feeling a bit impatient, you know.
“Kind of/sort of” is used when a word may not be exactly the right one.
There was a kind of/sort of sit-in at the college. Some of the students met there to protest about something.
The ribbon kind of/sort of slides in here.
The phrase “or something” makes the meaning more vague.
There was a sit-in or something at the college.
Are you drunk or something?
In informal speech we can use thing or stuff instead of a more exact word.
(of a food mixer) This thing isn't working properly.
(of luggage) Put your stuff upstairs.

4 The speaker sometimes stops to correct things.

So I got on the Underground at Green Park at about ten past five, no, twenty past five. ...at about ten past five, I mean twenty past five.
The speaker can also stop to go back and explain something that was missed out.
So I timed it very carefully that I was going to leave at about ten past five – this was in, er, this was in central London.

5 Here is an example of written English.

CYCLING
The rising cost of petrol and increasing traffic congestion in towns have brought back for the bicycle some of the popularity it was beginning to lose. Cycling is healthy, practical, and, for many people, a popular recreation.
(from H. Turner The Consumer's A-Z)

This is typical of a written textbook style. A spoken version would be different.

“Well, the cost of petrol is going up, and there is so much traffic in towns these days, isn't there? And so bicycles have become more popular now after a time when not so many people were using them. I think cycling is good for you, and it's
practical, and lots of people enjoy it.”
One important difference is that a writer often expresses in a noun phrase what a speaker expresses in a clause.

Written the rising cost of petrol a popular recreation

Spoken the cost of petrol is going up lots of people enjoy it

For more details about nominalization, • 149.