Discourse makers

Discourse markers

Discourse markers are very important to structure text or speech, to connect sentences in a meaningful and logical way. They are used to express contrast, reason, purpose, result, etc.

by the way / incidentally

Used to change the subject, to say something that you have just thought and that doesn’t have to be connected to what was being said before.

-Well, it has been a very productive meeting, don’t you think? By the way/Incidentally, what time is it?

-I’ll try to fix my car this afternoon. By the way/Incidentally, do you still have that screwdriver that I lent you?

actually / in fact / as a matter of fact 

Used to introduce information that might be in some way surprising or unexpected.

• I don’t really like chicken. Actually/In fact/As a matter of fact I have only eaten chicken once in my life. 

• Everybody thinks he has a very bad temper, but actually/in fact/as a matter of fact he is very kind.

anyway / in any case 

Used to return to an earlier subject after a digression, or to get to the most interesting point.

• It’s not so strange to lose documents. It happens to lots of people all the time. Anyway/In any case, we finally found the passports in …

• Used to give a more important reason for something you are saying:

  I’m too tired to go and it’s too late, and anyway/in any case it’s too expensive.

as I was saying

• Used to return to an earlier subject in the conversation after an interruption or digression.

  As I was saying, we could get up early and spend the whole day there. 

• 
  

after all 

Used to introduce an additional point that supports or explains what you have just said.

• I might understand her better than you; after all, she is my wife.

•  Don’t be too hard on him. After all, he is just a kid. 

• Used to say that something is true despite what is believed or said:

  He is not such a bad professional after all.

regarding … / as regards … / as far as … in concerned 

= About. Used to introduce a topic of conversation.

• Regarding/As regards the new player, we’ll have to decide if or when to sell him. 

• As far as the new player is concerned, …

Some more to remember:

• on the other hand

• in other words

• basically

• obviously

• what’s more

• furthermore

• besides

and just four more:

• on the whole

• all in all

• at least

• whereas

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

TEST TIME

Choose the correct discourse markers for each gap below

Multiple Choice

_______ we liked the technical support we received from the three companies, although X-Tech and Fast-on were a bit faster.

• On the whole

• After all

• All in all

• On the whole / All in all

Multiple Choice

Tom is the most ill-mannered and and disrespectful person I know. _______ , he's always lying.

• Furthermore

• Actually

• In other words

• Basically

Multiple Choice

I saw Jerry and Cath today. _______ Jerry, do you know that he's going to Australia on a business trip next week?

• Regarding.

• Otherwise

• As far as is concerned

• Talking of

Multiple Choice

You should help her in whatever she may need; _______ , she's your sister.

• in other words

• after all

• otherwise

• incidentally

Multiple Choice

I think Jacky needs to talk to you about some business. _______, she's lost a few pounds and looks fantastic.

• As a matter of fact

• By the way / Incidentally

• By the way

• Incidentally

Multiple Choice

_______ social media marketing is concerned, it's maybe one of the areas of marketing which is changing faster.

• As far as

• As regards

• In other words

• In fact

Multiple Choice

The game has a single button, _______, the player has to push just one button in order to play.

• after all

• at least

• that is to say

• basically

Multiple Choice

I wanted to save some money, but I ______ lost a lot of money.

• obviously

• incidentally

• actually

• at least

Multiple Choice

He may not be very good, but _______ he tries hard.

• at least

• that is to say

• whereas

• what is more

Multiple Choice

He complains very often, but he has _______ nothing to complain about.

• at least

• furthermore

• besides

• in fact

Poll

Is this being clear enough?

• Yes

• Almost

• Not really

Open Ended

Is there anything you consider must be added?

Thank you

have a great day :)