discourse markers

Discourse means ‘pieces oflanguage longer than asentence’. Some words andexpressions are used to showhow discourse is constructed. They can show the connectionbetween what a speaker issaying and what has alreadybeen said or what is going tobe said; they can help to makeclear the structure of what isbeing said; they can indicatewhat speakers think aboutwhat they are saying or whatothers have said. There are avery large number of these‘discourse markers’, and it isimpossible to give a completelist in a few pages. Here are afew of the most commonexamples. Some of thesewords and expressions havemore than one use; for moreinformation, look in a gooddictionary. Some discoursemarkers are used mostly ininformal speech or writing; others are more common in aformal style. Note that adiscourse marker usuallycomes at the beginning of aclause.


focusing and linking

with reference to; talking/speaking of/about; regarding; as regards; as faras … is concerned; as for
These expressions focusattention on what is going tobe said, by announcing thesubject in advance. Some ofthem also make a link withprevious discourse, by referringback to what was said before.
With reference to is a veryformal expression used mainlyat the beginning of businessletters.

With reference to your letter of17 March, I am pleased toinform you …

Speaking/talking of/about … isused to make a link with whathas just been said. It can help aspeaker to change the subject.

I saw Max and Lucy today. Youknow, she – ~ Talking of Max, did you know he’s going toAustralia?

Regarding can come at thebeginning of a piece ofdiscourse.

Hello, John. Now look, regarding those sales figures – Ireally don’t think …

As regards and as far as … isconcerned usually announce achange of subject by thespeaker/writer.

… there are no problems aboutproduction. Now as regardsmarketing …
… about production. As far asmarketing is concerned, I think…

People sometimes leave out isconcerned after as far as …This is usually consideredincorrect.

As far as the new developmentplan, I think we ought to bevery careful.

As for often suggests lack ofinterest or dislike.

I’ve invited Andy and Bob. Asfor Stephen, I never want to see him again.


balancing contrasting points

On the one hand (formal), onthe other hand; while; whereas
These expressions are used tobalance two facts or ideas thatcontrast, but do not contradicteach other.

Arranged marriages arecommon in many MiddleEastern countries. In the West, on the other hand, they areunusual.
On the one hand, we need toreduce costs. On the otherhand, investment …
I like the mountains, while/whereas my wife prefers the seaside.

While and whereas can be putbefore the first of thecontrasting points.

While/Whereas somelanguages have 30 or moredifferent vowel sounds, othershave five or less.

For a comparison of on the other hand and on the contrary .

emphasising a contrast

However; nevertheless; nonetheless; mind you; still; yet; in spite of this/that; despite this/that
However, nevertheless andnonetheless emphasise thefact that the second pointcontrasts with the first. Nevertheless is very formal.

Britain came last in the WorldChildren’s Games. However, wedid have one success, withAnnie Smith’s world record inthe sack race.
It was an oppressivedictatorship, but neverthelessit ensured stability.

Mind you (less formal) and stillintroduce the contrasting pointas an afterthought.

I don’t like the job much. Mindyou / Still, the money’s OK.

Yet, still, in spite of this/thatand despite this/that (moreformal) can be used to suggestthat something is surprising, inview of what was said before.

He says he’s a socialist, andyet he owns three houses anddrives a Rolls.
The train was an hour late. Inspite of this, I managed to getto the meeting in time. (OR … Istill managed to get …)

similarity

Similarly; in the same way; just as
These are most common in aformal style.

The roads are usually verycrowded at the beginning ofthe holiday season. Similarly, there are often serious trafficjams at the end of the holidays.
James Carter did everything hecould to educate his children. In the same way, they in turnput a high value on their ownchildren’s education.
Just as the Greeks looked downon the Romans, the Romanslooked down on theiruncivilised neighbours.

concession and counter-argument

Concession: it is true; certainly; of course; granted; if; may; stressed auxiliaries.
☐counter argument: however; even so; but; nevertheless; nonetheless; all the same; still
These expressions are used ina three-part structure: (1) thereis discussion of facts that pointin a certain direction; (2) it isagreed (the concession) that aparticular contradictory factpoints the other way; (3) butthe speaker/writer dismissesthis and returns to the originaldirection of argument.

… cannot agree withcolonialism. It is true that theBritish may have done somegood in India. Even so, colonialism is basically evil.
… incapable of lastingrelationships with women. Certainly, several women lovedhim, and he was married twice. All the same, the womenclosest to him were invariablydeeply unhappy.
Very few people understoodEinstein’s theory. Of course, everybody had heard of him, and a fair number of peopleknew the word ‘relativity’. Buthardly anybody could tell youwhat he had actually said.
I’m not impressed by her work. Granted, she writes like anangel. But she doesn’t writeabout anything of any interest.
It was a successful party. TheScottish cousins, if a littlesurprised by the family’sbehaviour, were nonethelessimpressed by the friendlywelcome they received.
I’m glad to have a place of myown. It’s true it’s a bit small, and it’s a long way from thecentre, and it does need a lotof repairs done. Still, it’s home.

For other uses of still, see 566. For other uses of of course .

contradicting

On the contrary; quite theopposite
These expressions cancontradict a suggestion madeby another speaker.

Interesting lecture? ~ On thecontrary / Quite the opposite, itwas a complete waste of time.

They can also be used when aspeaker/writer strengthens anegative statement whichhe/she has just made.

She did not allow the accidentto discourage her. On thecontrary / Quite the opposite, she began to work twice ashard.

For a comparison of on the contrary and on the other hand .

dismissal of previous discourse

At least; anyway; anyhow; atany rate; in any case
At least can suggest that onething is certain or all right, even if everything else isunsatisfactory.

The car’s completely smashedup – I don’t know what we’regoing to do. At least nobodywas hurt.

The other four expressions areused (mostly informally) tomean ‘What was said beforedoesn’t matter – the main pointis as follows’.

I’m not sure what time I’llarrive, maybe seven or eight. Anyway / Anyhow /At any rate / In any case, I’ll certainly bethere before eight thirty.

Note that anyway is not thesame as in any way, whichmeans ‘by any method’.

Can I help you in any way?

change of subject

By the way; incidentally; right; all right; now; OK
By the way and incidentally areused to introduce somethingone has just thought of that isnot directly part of theconversation.

I was talking to Phil yesterday. Oh, by the way, he sends youhis regards. Well, he thinks …
Janet w