Maxim of quality
speakers do not say things they believe to be false, and for which they lack adequate evidence.
Alice:
It's going to rain tomorrow.Bob concludes:Alice looked at a weather report.
Maxim of relevance
Maxim of relevance: speakers are talking about the same subject.
Alice:
Are you hungry?Bob:That cake looks delicious.
Maxim of quantity
Maxim of quantity: speakers contribute as much information as is required, and do not contribute more information that is required.
Alice:
I have three cats.Bob concludes:Alice has three cats and no more.
Maxim of manner
Maxim of manner: Speakers don’t use words that are unnecessarily hard to understand, avoid ambiguity, are brief, and are orderly.
Alice:
I got the car started. (Instead of "I started the car.")Bob concludes:Alice had trouble getting the car started.