Lecture Notes:

Discourse Markers

- Discourse markers are words or expressions that link, manage and help to organise sentences. They
connect what is written or said with something else. They make no change to the meaning. These are
(words like 'however', 'although' and 'nevertheless') more commonly referred to as 'linking words'
and 'linking phrases', or 'sentence connectors'.
- They are also often called linking words and, sometimes, fillers. They are important to make your speech or
text flow and to avoid a series of short unconnected statements.

Type of relationship in using Discourse Markers

1. Adding something

Examples are: Moreover; In addition; Additionally; Further; Further to this; Also; Besides, What is

2. Making a contrast between two separate things, people, ideas, etc.

Examples are: However; On the other hand; In contrast; Yet.

3. Making an unexpected contrast (concession)

Examples are: Although; Even though; Despite the fact that; In spite of the fact that; Regardless of the fact that.

4. Saying why something is the case

Examples are: Because; Since; As; Insofar as.

5. Saying what the result of something is

Examples are: Therefore; consequently; In consequence; As a result; Accordingly, Hence; Thus; For this reason;
Because of this.

6. Expressing a condition

Examples are: If; In the event of; As long as...; So long as...; Provided that...; Assuming that...; Given that....

7. Making what you say stronger

Examples: On the contrary; As a matter of fact; In fact; Indeed.

Activity 1:
Direction: Underline the discourse markers in the sentences below.
1. You know, I think carrots grow on trees.
2. Well, I’ve decided to quit my job immediately.
3. I mean, we are just about to start the program.
4. Frankly, I don’t agree with your idea.
5. I am ready for the test, in fact, I memorized the entire book.
6. In the event of power interruption, please stop working on your assignments.
7. On the other hand, I would like to suggest a new option for the group.
8. In general, there are two types of people – dog lovers and cat lovers.
9. I am not happy about his decision however, if he insists in doing so then I will
have no other option but to fire him this instant!
10. He was really in a bad shape nevertheless he would take his daily meds.

Activity 2:
Directions: Choose 10 discourse markers from the box below and construct your own sentence using them.
Make sure to write in a complete sentence. Use the space below for your answers.
Additionally
However
Even
Because
In consequence
thethough
eventSince
On
although
of the
As
Further
Despite
Hence
long
other
Insofar
as..
hand
nevertheless
the
Also
Thus
as
fact
Sotherefore
Inlong
that
contrast
Because
Besides
as...
InRegardless
addition
of
consequently
Assuming
Although
this. of the
that..
fact that.
However although nevertheless In addition Additionally
Further Also Besides On the other hand In contrast
Even though Despite the fact that Regardless of the fact that. Because
Since Insofar as therefore consequently
In consequence Hence Thus Because of this.
In the event of As long as... So long as... Assuming that...