Most of us like a good old chat with friends, colleagues, neighbors or acquaintances. But what can turn a really good chat into a great one? Sure, conversation topics matter, but scientists have found underlying patterns that may explain our best interactions.

The question has long vexed scientists. Previous studies have mostly focused on how closely people’s words and ideas match, rather than how chats flow and shift from one moment to the next.

But researchers Kathryn O’Nell, Emily Finn and Kiara L. Sanchez at Dartmouth College in the United States took a different approach.