What are discourse markers and why do we use them?

Discourse markers are linking words or phrases used in speaking and writing that direct the flow
of the conversation or discourse in various ways.

Watch Video: These videos are great for seeing Discourse markers in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BECe_ok1RI8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaJ01IG-50U

There are

Macro-Markers: “Today, I’m going to talk about”, “Let’s move on now to” “Hmm Tell me
more”

Micro-Markers: such as “Oh”, “Ok, so”, “In fact”, “Really”, “First”, “Anyway”, “Well”, “You
Know”, “Now”, “Umm, errrr …Humpf……sounds”

For example:

Prof: “So, what can I do for you today?”

Student: “Oh, I wanted to talk to you about the research paper. You know, it’s due in two weeks
and I haven’t decided on a topic.”

Prof: “Really? Why not?”

Student: “Well, firstly I am new to the subject of economics. Then some of my classmates
discouraged me from choosing different topics.”

Prof: “I see? That’s not kind. First let’s talk review some of the topics you have in mind..”

Ok
Analysis:

“So” is used to signal the start of the conversation or to start a new part to a conversation.

“Oh” is used to signal a response.

“You know” suggests that Student already knows his Prof will understand his statement.

“Really?” shows that his Prof is interested in what he is saying or surprised by what he is saying.

“Well, firstly” and “then” are used to sequence the order of the Student’s reasons.

“I see?” shows agreement.

“First” signals a shift in the conversation that informs you that we are moving to the next stage of
a conversation.

“Ok” signals agreement and the opening to a new part of a conversation.

Discourse markers are often referred to as ‘signposting’ language because they are used to order
and sequence what we say, to start and end conversations and to change or manage a topic. In
this way, we help our listeners to follow what we are saying more clearly.
The following is a list of examples.

For organizing what we say

To start and to end conversations

So,…

Right,…

Well,…

Now, …

Ok,…

To change topic or return to the topic

By the way/incidentally,…

Well, anyway…

To repeat what I said before

Like I said,…

As I say,…

To continue with the same topic

That reminds me,…

To contradict what I previously said

Mind you,

Still,…

Ordering or sequencing what we say

For a start,…

In general,…

Second/secondly,…

And then,…

In the end,…

What’s more,…

First (of all)/firstly

Last of all/lastly,…

Next,…

On top of that,…
For rephrasing/clarifying what we say

In a conversation, we must focus on what we are saying and how the other person is responding.
You have to do this when listening to a conversation on this exam.

Saying something in another way

Well,…

I mean,…

In other words,…

The thing is,…

What I mean is…

Shared knowledge

You know…

You know what I mean…

You see,…

For responding when listening to others

To show I’m listening

Uh-huh

Yeah

Right

Ok
Indicating agreement

Fine, …

Ok, so…

Good…

Great…

Absolutely.

Quite. (more formal)

Certainly.

Sure.

Indicating a difference of opinion

Yes, but…

Nevertheless,…

Well, the thing is…

Indicating agreement with a negative idea

Yes, no I know…
To show interest or surprise

Oh…

Wow!

Really/Oh really?

Definitely!

I see!

Exactly!

No?

Wonderful

That’s great/interesting/amazing/awful, etc.

We use different discourse markers in speaking and writing. In speaking, the following discourse
markers are very common:

anyway like right you know

fine now so I mean

good oh well as I say

great okay mind you for a start

In writing, the following discourse markers are common:

firstly in addition moreover on the other hand

secondly in conclusion on the one hand to begin with

thirdly in sum
Language Examples of Different Discourse Markers:

Discourse markers that organize what we say

Some discourse markers are used to start and to end conversations. Some are used to start new
topics or to change topics.

Starting a conversation or talk

A:
Right, let’s talk about your paper. We need to discuss the second part.

B:
Okay. I haven’t got started yet. What do I need to do?

Ending a conversation
A:
So you have to first choose a topic and then outline it.

B:
Right, okay.

A:
Okay, see you then, love.

See also:
 So
 Okay, OK
 Okay, so
Changing or managing a topic
A:
I think I will have to really focus on if I can find research for the topic.

B:
Anyway

You will need to make sure that you know how to do correct citations.

Ordering what we say

We also use discourse markers to order or sequence what we say. Some of the common words
and phrases which we use for this are:

and in general second to sum up

and then in the end *secondly what’s more

first (of all) last of all so well

*firstly next lastly a…b

for a start on top of that third(ly)

Discourse markers that monitor what we say
As we talk, we monitor (or listen to) what we are saying and how our listener is responding to
what they hear. We often rephrase or change what we say depending on how our listener is
responding. We use words and phrases such as well, I mean, in other words, the thing is, you
know, you know what I mean, you see, what I mean is.

Saying something in another way

Sometimes, as we talk, we add phrases to show our listener that we are going to rephrase, repeat
or change what we are saying. These discourse markers help to make what we say clearer for the
listener:

I just had to leave early. What I mean is I hated the show. It just wasn’t funny.

You exercise regularly, you have a good diet and you don’t have too much stress. In other
words, I think you have nothing to worry about. Your health seems very good.

I think I’ve found a house I’d like to buy. Well it’s an apartment actually. It’s ideal for me.

See also:
 Actual and actually
 I mean
 Well

Shared knowledge
When we talk, we think about how much knowledge we share with our listener. We often mark
what we think is old, shared or expected knowledge with you know and we mark new knowledge
that we see as not shared with the listener with phrases like see, you see, the thing is:

You know, hiring a car was a great idea. (The speaker and the listener know about hiring the
car.)

A:
Why don’t you come and stay with me when you’re in Lisbon?

B:
It’d be difficult. I have to be back in Dublin by Friday. You see, my sister is getting married on
Saturday so I won’t have time to visit. (B assumes that A doesn’t know about her sister’s
wedding. This is new information)
See also:
 See
 You know
 You see

Discourse markers as responses

As we listen to someone speaking, we usually show our response to what we hear either by
gesture (head nod) or by a short response (Mm, yeah, really, that’s a shame). This shows that we
are listening to and interested in what is being said. We call these short responses ‘response
tokens’.

Common response tokens include:

absolutely fine okay wow

(all) right good quite (more formal) yeah

certainly great really yes

definitely I see sure

exactly no wonderful

that’s great/interesting/amazing/awful, etc.

We use response tokens for a number of functions:

To show interest and to show that we want the speaker to continue

A:
So he opened the door.

B:
Yeah.

A:
And he went in very quietly without waking her.

B:
Right.

A:
He opened her bag and…

To show surprise
A:
We’ve decided to go to Africa for a month next year.

B:
Oh really!

To show sympathy
A:
He can’t play soccer for at least six months. He’s broken his leg.

B:
That’s terrible.

See also:
 Adverbs as discourse markers (anyway, finally)
 Of course
Discourse markers showing attitude
Some expressions are used to mark attitude or point of view in speaking or writing.

Common expressions of attitude are:

actually frankly I think (I’m) sorry

admittedly hopefully literally surprisingly

amazingly honestly naturally thankfully

basically ideally no doubt to be honest

certainly if you ask me obviously to tell you the truth

clearly I’m afraid of course understandably

confidentially I must admit predictably undoubtedly

definitely I must say really unfortunately

essentially in fact sadly

fortunately indeed seriously

If you ask me, Neil is making a big mistake leaving his job to go travelling with his friends.

We will obviously have to pay for the damage done to the window.

The whole problem has been caused, I think, by having too many cars on the road at busy times.

Sadly, Hilda has decided not to come with us.

See also:
 Actual and actually
  Think

Discourse markers: sounding less direct

We are careful when we speak not to sound too direct or forceful. We use words and phrases
such as like, maybe, sort of to soften what we say (hedges).

We often use these words and expressions as hedges:

apparently kind of perhaps roughly

arguably like presumably sort of/ kind of*

I think maybe probably surely

just

* sort of is more common in British English; kind of is more common in American English.

Can I just ask you a question?

We can probably add some more water to the sauce.

Is this perhaps one of your first times driving a car?

Compare

There’s a new restaurant in town. We The statement is hedged or softened so as not

should probably try it next weekend. to sound too strong or forceful.

There’s a new restaurant in town. We should try The statement is not hedged and it sounds
it next weekend. more direct and forceful.

See also:
 Hedges (just)
 Think
 Like
 Mind
 Well