Discourse MarkersDiscourse Markers

A ‘short’ guideA ‘short’ guide

What are they and why What are they and why should I care?should I care?

They add meaningThey add meaning They warn of upcoming types of They warn of upcoming types of

informationinformation They structure speech or writingThey structure speech or writing Correct use is a sign of advanced English Correct use is a sign of advanced English

knowledgeknowledge

with regard to, with regard to, regarding, as for regarding, as for

With regard to the latest market figures we can With regard to the latest market figures we can see that ...see that ...

Regarding our efforts to improve the local Regarding our efforts to improve the local economy, we have made ...economy, we have made ...

As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this report he sent me.report he sent me.

These expressions focus attention on what follows in the sentence. This is done by announcing the subject in advance.

(well) now, anyway, as (well) now, anyway, as regards, as regards, as far as regards, as regards, as far as ……… is concerned, guess ……… is concerned, guess what?what?

Well / anyway, here’s the problem.Well / anyway, here’s the problem. His grades in science subjects are excellent. His grades in science subjects are excellent.

As regards humanities …As regards humanities … As far as I am concerned, we should continue As far as I am concerned, we should continue

to develop our resources.to develop our resources. Guess what? I won the lottery!Guess what? I won the lottery!

Indicate a subject change or returning to the subject.

on the other hand; while; on the other hand; while; whereas, at leastwhereas, at least

Football is popular in England, while / whereas Football is popular in England, while / whereas in Australia they prefer cricket.in Australia they prefer cricket.

Shopping has become cheaper. On the other Shopping has become cheaper. On the other hand, wages have fallen.hand, wages have fallen.

Tom’s looking for a new job, at least that’s what Tom’s looking for a new job, at least that’s what he says.he says.

These expressions give expression to two ideas which contrast but do not contradict each other.

however, nonetheless, however, nonetheless, nevertheless, still, but, mind you, nevertheless, still, but, mind you, yet, admittedly, on the contraryyet, admittedly, on the contrary

Smoking is dangerous to the health. Nonetheless, / still Smoking is dangerous to the health. Nonetheless, / still 40% of the population smokes.40% of the population smokes.

Our teacher promised to take us. However, / but he Our teacher promised to take us. However, / but he changed his mind last week.changed his mind last week.

Peter was warned not to invest. Nevertheless,/ yet he Peter was warned not to invest. Nevertheless,/ yet he invested and lost everything. invested and lost everything.

People say that it’s easy to find work. On the contrary, People say that it’s easy to find work. On the contrary, it is very difficult.it is very difficult.

All these expressions are used to present two contrasting ideas

moreover, furthermore, in moreover, furthermore, in addition, by the way, also, addition, by the way, also, besides, I mean, actually besides, I mean, actually

The problem is extremely frustrating. Moreover, there The problem is extremely frustrating. Moreover, there seems to be no easy solution.seems to be no easy solution.

I assured him that I would come. Furthermore, I also I assured him that I would come. Furthermore, I also invited a guest.invited a guest.

Our food bills have been increasing steadily. In Our food bills have been increasing steadily. In addition, our telephone costs have doubled. addition, our telephone costs have doubled.

Mary bought a car. Actually it was a rather an Mary bought a car. Actually it was a rather an expensive one. I mean, for Mary to buy.expensive one. I mean, for Mary to buy.

Besides the promotion, she’ll get a big pay rise.Besides the promotion, she’ll get a big pay rise.

We use these expressions to add information to what has been said. The usage of these words is much more elegant than just making a list or using the conjunction 'and'. ‘Actually’ might indicate that this is surprising.

therefore, as a result, therefore, as a result, consequently, after all, consequently, after all, accordingly, hence, thusaccordingly, hence, thus

He reduced his amount of time studying. As a result, / He reduced his amount of time studying. As a result, / Hence his marks were rather low.Hence his marks were rather low.

We've lost over 3,000 customers. Consequently / thus , We've lost over 3,000 customers. Consequently / thus , we have been forced to cut costs.we have been forced to cut costs.

The council has reduced its spending. Therefore, local The council has reduced its spending. Therefore, local services have been cut. services have been cut.

After all, because of the cuts, job loses could have After all, because of the cuts, job loses could have been expected.been expected.

These expressions show that the second statement follows logically from the first statement.

with regard to, with regard to, regarding, as for regarding, as for

With regard to the latest market figures we can With regard to the latest market figures we can see that ...see that ...

Regarding our efforts to improve the local Regarding our efforts to improve the local economy, we have made ...economy, we have made ...

As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this report he sent me.report he sent me.

These expressions focus attention on what follows in the sentence. This is done by announcing the subject in advance.

assuming that, provided assuming that, provided that, given that, as long as, that, given that, as long as, due to, sincedue to, since

Assuming that / providing that he’s in, he’ll Assuming that / providing that he’s in, he’ll want to come.want to come.

Given that / since she’s quite deaf, we will have Given that / since she’s quite deaf, we will have to talk loudly.to talk loudly.

As long as he keeps eating, he’ll soon get well.As long as he keeps eating, he’ll soon get well. Due to rain, the event had to be cancelled.Due to rain, the event had to be cancelled.

A limiting condition or reason is being supplied before a statement.

… … and on it goes: so to speak, well, and on it goes: so to speak, well, let’s see, oh!, erm, you knowlet’s see, oh!, erm, you know

Test yourself at:

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/advanced/a_grammar/unit04/hwy_adv_unit04_2/

Sources:Sources: Beare, K. (2009). “Discourse Markers - Linking Your Ideas in English” [online]. Beare, K. (2009). “Discourse Markers - Linking Your Ideas in English” [online].

Retrieved 13th March 2009 from: http://esl.about.com/cs/advanced/a/a_dmark.htmRetrieved 13th March 2009 from: http://esl.about.com/cs/advanced/a/a_dmark.htm Swann, M. (2005). Swann, M. (2005). Practical English UsagePractical English Usage. 3rd Edn. Oxford; OUP. 3rd Edn. Oxford; OUP

And now, a short test…. And now, a short test….