Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence
Maxim Quantity i
Make your contribution as informative as is required for the current purposes of the exchange
Maxim Quantity ii
Do not make your contribution more informative than is required
Maxim Relevance
Don't give extra information! Make your contribution relevant
Maxim Manner
Don't say random stuff! Avoid obscurity (do not use expressions which are not clear or easy to understand) Avoid ambiguity (avoid expressions with more than one meaning/sense) Be brief (avoid unnecessary usage of too many words) Be orderly Be clear, but brief and organised!
Types of Infringement
Flouting – infringing one maxim in an obvious way to generate inferences and/or to preserve one or more other maxims
Violating – intentionally infringing maxims – e.g. lying, being intentionally confusing or boring
'Incompetence' – unintentionally infringing maxims by not understanding aspects of the language spoken, the speech situation or the cooperative principle
Opting out – refusing to give information (e.g. because of a promise) – this is rare
