Grice's Maxims

Grice suggested that conversation is based on a shared principle of cooperation.

4 Maxims:

The maxim of quantity-do not say too little or too much
Example-
A: “Where are you going?”
B: “I’m going to the post office.”
In the example, B gives comments to A’s statement without adding other information
 Example of disobeying / violation:
 A: “Are you going to work tomorrow?”
B: “I am on jury duty, but I’ll have to go to the doctor in the evening. I have asked the manager for permission”
In this example, B’s reply violates maxim of quantity because B does not give information as required by A, i.e. yes or no. Instead, B gives more information which is not required or expected at all.
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The Maxim of quality-speak the truth
Example-
A: “Why did you come late last night?”
B: “The car was broken down”
In t he example, B gives the truth that his car was broken down so that he came late.
 Example of disobeying / violation:
 A: “The Teheran’s in Turkey, isn’t teacher?”
B: “And London’s in America I suppose.”
In the example, B’s reply is supposed to suggest that A is incorrect and B violates the maxim of quality
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The Maxim of relevance-keep what is being discussed relevant to the topic in hand
Example-
A: “Where is my box of chocolates?”
B: “It is in your room.”
In the example, B’s reply relates to the question, not talking about something else. Example of disobeying / violation
 A: “Where’s my box of chocolates?”
B: “I don’t know mine either.”
In the example B’s answer is not relevant to A’s question. B says something else which is not about A’s problem at all.
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The maxim of manner-be clear and avoid ambiguity
Example-
A: Where was Alfred yesterday?
 B: Alfred went to the store and bought some whiskey.
 In the example, B’s answer obeys the manner maxim: be orderly, because she gives a clear explanation where A was.
 Example of disobeying / violation:
 A: Why was he arrested?
 B: He stole the money from the bank.