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(“Discourse markers ( so, right, okay )” from English Grammar Today © Cambridge University
Press.) https://www.google.com.co/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=Discourse+markers+
A:
So, I’ve decided I’m going to go to the bank and ask for a car loan.
B:
That sounds like a good idea.
C:
Well, you need a car.
B:
Right.
A:
Anyway, I was wondering if either of you would teach me how to drive.
The discourse markers in this extract have a number of uses:so marks the beginning of a
new part of the conversation.
well marks a change in the focus (from getting a car loan to needing a car).
right marks a response (B is agreeing with C).
anyway marks a shift in topic (from buying a new car to having driving lessons).
We use different discourse markers in speaking and writing. In speaking, the following
discourse markers are very common:
Discourse markers do not always have meanings that you will find in your dictionary.
However, they do have certain functions, and some discourse markers, such as well, can
have a number of functions.
See also:
● Actual and actually
● Like
● Look
● Mind
● Okay, OK
● Well
B:
Okay. I’ll do that. Katie, will you help me?
Now, we have with us in the studio today someone you will all know from television. John
Rice, welcome to the show.
See also:
● Okay, OK
Ending a conversation
A:
So we’ll see you Sunday, Liz.
B:
Right, okay Mum.
A:
Okay, see you then, love.
B:
Bye, Mum. Thanks for calling.
A:
Bye, Liz.
[At the end of a meeting]
A:
Anyway, is that it? Has anyone got any questions?
B:
No. I think we’re done.
A:
Right, fine, thanks everyone for coming. We’ll circulate the documents tomorrow and
make some follow-up calls about the project.
See also:
● So
● Okay, OK
Changing or managing a topic
A:
We went to town to buy wallpaper to match the carpet.
B:
Did you try Keanes? They have a sale.
A:
We looked there, but Jim said he thought it was too expensive and he didn’t like any of
their designs.
B:
What does he like?
A:
He likes geometric shapes. He hates flowers. Anyway, we eventually found some that we
both liked and when we went to pay for it, we realised that neither of us had brought any
money. (Anyway marks a return to the main topic of buying wallpaper.)
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:
B:
I don’t think so, Caroline. For a start, she has all the money that her aunt gave her.
What’s more, she has a good job and she seems to have a good lifestyle.
Firstly, we are going to look at how to write an essay. Secondly we are going to look at
what makes a good essay and what makes a bad one. Lastly, we’re going to do some
writing activities.
We can use the letters of the alphabet (a, b and c), to list reasons or arguments for
something:
There are two reasons why I think it’s a bad idea, a because it’ll cost too much money,
and bbecause it’ll take such a long time.
See also:
● Numbers: first, second, third
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.
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’.
exactly no wonderful
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.
If you ask me, Neil is making a big mistake leaving his job to go travelling with his friends.
The whole problem has been caused, I think, by having too many cars on the road at
busy times.
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).
just
* sort of is more common in British English; kind of is more common in American English.
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
Discourse markers: um and erm
We can use erm when we pause before saying something, especially when we are not
sure about what to say:
Her last book was called… erm what was it? I can’t remember the name.
A:
The meeting’s been cancelled.
B:
Yippee!
A:
I’ve just dropped the box of eggs.
B:
Oh no!
A:
I don’t think this dessert looks very fresh.
B:
Yuck!
See also:
● Interjections (ouch, hooray)
● Oh