Signposts

Sequence ideas Give examples

• Firstly, • For example,
• Next, • For instance,
• Finally, • Namely,
• The main reason is… • Specifically,
• Another point is… • That is,
• Another reason is… • …such as…
Add another idea Introduce a similar idea
• Also, • Likewise,
• In addition, • Similarly,
• Moreover,
• Besides,
Introduce a different idea Introduce a new idea
• However, • With regard to…
• In contrast, • When it comes to…
• On the other hand, • On the question of…
• Although…
Summarise ideas Give a cause
• All in all, • Due to…
• In brief, • Because of…
• On the whole,
Give an effect Emphasise a point
• Therefore, • Certainly,
• As a result, • Indeed,
• For this reason, • In fact,
• Consequently, • Of course,
• Actually,
• As a matter of fact,
• Naturally,
Generalise Clarify a point
• Usually, • In other words,
• In general, • Namely,
• On the whole, • That is to say,
• As a rule, • I mean…
• In most cases,
• Broadly speaking,
• Generally speaking,
• For the most part,
• To some extent,
 Signposts phrases to respond to questions

Giving an opinion Comparing and contrast

• I believe that… • Some similarities between [buying food

in my country and here] are…
• I think that…
• [Buying food in my country and here] is
• As far as I’m concerned…
similar because…
• In my opinion…
• Some differences between [buying food
• In my view…
in my country and here] are…
• It seems to me that…
• [Buying food in my country and here] is
• I strongly believe that… different because…

Evaluating Giving suggestions

• I believe that assignments are more • [The government] could…

effective/better/fairer because…
• Perhaps [the government could…
• [Assignments] are definitely more
• A good idea would be for [the
suitable for [tertiary students]
government] to…
because…
• Maybe [the government] should…
Note: when evaluating, use comparative
• One way [the government] could…
or superlative adjectives in order to
• Another way [the government] could…
decide if something is better/worse.

Giving preferences Speculating

• I’m certain that…
• There’s a good/reasonable chance
• I much prefer to… that…
• In general, I would rather… • Most probably…
• I usually like to… • It’s quite possible that…
• On the whole, I usually choose to… • I hope that…
• Sometimes I prefer to… • Perhaps…
• I don’t mind doing either [X] or [Y]. • I’m not sure if…
• There’s little/not much chance that…
• I doubt very much that…