Discourse markers
Vocabulary
Discourse: a piece of language longer than a sentence
Discourse markers are words or phrases which:
structure (sequence) a discourse; introduce an idea; introduce a new idea; or link ideas together.
They can be spoken or written, and formal or informal. Example:
Boys like sport. Girls like shopping.
These sentences are not linked. They also convey different ideas but can be linked:
Boys like sport. However, girls like shopping.
There are many discourse markers in English. They can refer backwards to what has been said or written,
Previously, As you said,
or they can indicate something is to follow
With reference to… , Finally,
On the other hand, To sum up, The importance of discourse markers is not that they introduce or link ideas, but why they are used to do so. Many perform the same or similar functions to each other. They can be put into categories which show what the function of each is.
Discourse markers by function
Structuring
These usually follow an indication of the number of statements (ideas) which are going to be made, numbering or putting each in sequence:
Structuring (contd.)
There are three reasons……….
Firstly……. Secondly…. Finally…. We can do the same, but less precisely:
There are lots of reasons……
In the first place/To begin with….. For another thing…. On top of that…. Adding
These add information or argument to what has been said before:
Moreover…. Furthermore…. In addition….. What is more….. For another thing…… On top of that……
Logical sequence
These markers suggest what follows is a result:
Therefore… Consequently…. As a result….. Then…… Thus…… So…..
Giving examples
These indicate what follows is to make clear what went before:
For example… For instance…. e.g…… i.e…… In particular…….
Clarifying
These are to ensure the point is understood, they don’t introduce examples but suggest another way of saying the same thing:
In other words….. That is to say…… I mean…….. Actually…. Generalising
These introduce an opinion (even if the speaker/writer thinks it is a fact):
On the whole…. Generally….. In general…. In many/most cases…. By and large….. On the whole….. To a great extent……
Exceptions to generalizations: Apart from….., Except for …,…
Similarity
This is another way of adding to what ha been said/written:
Similarly,……… In the same way,….. Likewise,….. Correspondingly,….
Contrasting
Used to preface an idea/opinion/fact which is contrary to what has been expressed:
However,….. Nevertheless,……. Yet/and yet,….. Despite this,….
Contradicting
Indicating disagreement:
Balancing contrasting ideas
Used to give facts or ideas which contrast but do not contradict, or to suggest a choice:
On the contrary,…….. Quite the reverse/opposite,… On the other hand,….. While,…… Whereas,…………
Concession
Used to agree or accept a different idea or another point of view:
Certainly,….. Of course,……. That’s true,….. If so,….. Counter-argument
Used to express disagreement, or to continue a course despite what has been suggested:
However,…. Even so,….. Nonetheless,….. All the same,…. Finality
Expressions used to conclude what has gone before with a final or main point:
Anyway,….. Anyhow,….. At any rate,….. Besides,……. In any case,….
Persuasion
Used to draw attention to something, to try to coax acceptance:
After all,…… Listen/Look/Think,…….. I say,…..
Return to previous subject
Used to return to an interrupted discourse:
As I was saying,… As mentioned,……. As previously stated,….
Change of subject
Used to introduce an unrelated theme or topic:
By the way,…… By the bye,… Incidentally,….
Concluding
Used to signal the end of a discourse:
Finally,…. To conclude/In conclusion,… To sum up,…. In short,…
