Discourse Markers: Terms and Examples

The following is adapted from Fraser 1996, Fraser 2005:

1) Elaborative discourse markers: signaling an addition or refinement of a preceding statement.

Examples: and, above all, also, alternatively, besides, equally, for example, for instance,
further(more), in addition, in other words, in particular, likewise, more accurately, more
importantly, more precisely, more to the point, moreover, on that basis, on top of it all, or,
otherwise, rather, similarly, that is (to say)

2) Contrastive discourse markers: signaling a denial, contrast, or unexpected development of a

preceding statement

Examples: but, alternatively, although, contrary to expectations, conversely, despite (this/that),

even so, however, in spite of (this/that), in comparison (with this/that), in contrast (to this/that),
instead (of this/that), nevertheless, nonetheless, (this/that point), on the other hand, on the
contrary, regardless (of this/that), still, though, whereas, yet

3) Inferential discourse markers: signaling a conclusion from a preceding statement.

Examples: so, after all, as a conclusion, as a consequence (of this/that), as a result (of this/that),
because (of this/that), consequently, for this/that reason, hence, it follows that, accordingly, in
this/that/any case, then, therefore, thus

4) Temporal discourse markers: signaling a shift in time or progression related to the discourse.

Examples: then, after, as soon as, before, eventually, finally, first, in the meantime, meanwhile,
originally, second, subsequently
5) Meta-discourse markers: signaling a writer’s commentary to an audience about his/her discourse.

a. Assessment markers: signal a writer’s judgment/evaluation of the wider context (state of

affairs) of the statement.

Examples: fortunately, sadly, strikingly, surprisingly, amazingly, astonishingly,

hopefully, ideally, importantly, incredibly, inevitably, ironically, justifiably, oddly,
predictably, prudently, refreshingly, regrettably, (un)fortunately, (un)reasonably,
(un)remarkably

b. Manner-of-speaking markers: signaling the way a writer conveys the statement.

Examples: frankly, bluntly, briefly, candidly, confidentially, crudely, fairly, frankly,

generally, honestly, ironically, metaphorically, objectively, personally, precisely,
roughly, seriously, simply, strictly, truthfully, to speak candidly, roughly speaking, to be
honest, and in all seriousness, worded plainly, stated quite simply, off the record, quite
frankly, in the strictest confidence

c. Evidential markers: signaling a writer’s level of confidence of the truth of the statement.
 Examples: conceivably, certainly, indeed, assuredly, decidedly, definitely, doubtless,
evidently, incontestably, incontrovertibly, indisputably, indubitably, (most/ quite/ very)
likely, obviously, patently, perhaps, possibly, presumably, seemingly, supposedly, surely,
(un)arguably, undeniably, undoubtedly

d. Hearsay markers: signaling a writer’s comment about the source of information of the
statement.

Examples: reportedly, allegedly, I have heard, it appears, it has been claimed, it is

claimed, it is reported, it is rumored, it is said, one hears, purportedly, they allege, they
say

e. Topic change markers: signaling writer’s digression or departure from a current topic.

Examples: back to my original point, before I forget, by the way, incidentally, just to
update you, on a different note, parenthetically, put another way, returning to my point,
speaking of X, that reminds me

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Bibliography

Fraser, B. (1996) Pragmatic markers. Pragmatics 6, 2: 167-90.

Fraser, B. (2005). Towards a theory of discourse markers. Approaches to Discourse Particles. Ed. Fischer, K.

Elsevier Press.