DISCOURSE MARKERS AND CONNECTORS

ICEA ONLINE COURSES (CTP016 / CTP-017 / CTP-018)

1. GIVING OPINIONS (speculating):

Example sentences
 To my mind, speaking fluent English is a priority for air traffic controllers.
 I personally think that an Airbus is more fuel efficient than a Boeing.
 I strongly believe that some passengers have got injured after that severe
turbulence.
 As far as I know, the ground staff was warned that there was an animal on
the ramp.
 In my point of view, air traffic controllers must be highly valued for the job
they do.
 Judging by the pilot’s voice, he is nervous and needs immediate assistance.

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2. EXPRESSING CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY

Example sentences
Certainty:
 I’m quite sure that the pilot will not declare an emergency in this case.
 I’m positive that the there’s no one on seat 21A, Sir.
 I’m convinced that the flight will be diverted to Manaus due to weather.

Uncertainty:
 I’m not so sure about it, but I guess the pilot said something similar to “strike”.
 It’s not very likely that the supervisor will be here in time for the morning shift.
 Perhaps the airdrome will be closed because of the hail storm that passed over
the airport 30 minutes ago.
 Maybe the training plane has lost weight, I don’t know.

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3. RESTATING (saying things in a different way so the meaning is clearer)

Example sentences

 The point I’m trying to make is that the ACC failed to get in touch with the
APP, not the other way round.
 The APP controller assisted the pilot in every possible way to avoid the collision.
In other words, she was a hero.
 I’m sorry, but you cannot carry scissors in your carry-on luggage, madam. What
I mean to say is that carrying sharp objects are not allowed.

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4. AGREEING, DISAGREEING AND PARTLY AGREEING

Example sentences
 Agreeing:
- For safety reasons, English proficiency is a key aspect in ATC.
- I couldn’t agree more. English is vital for ATC communications.
- You’re absolutely right! How can you provide safety if you are not fluent in
English?
- You have a point there. Speaking English is a key point in air communications.
- Being an ICAO level 4 is fundamental. No doubt about it.

 Disagreeing:
- I believe technology is so advanced that the ATCO is no longer necessary these
days.
- I’m afraid I don’t agree. Where did you get this information from?
- Technology will never replace an ATCO. Sorry, but that’s not how I see it.
- I totally disagree. ATCOs will never be obsolete.

 Partly agreeing:
- In my opinion, the ATCO was the number 1 responsible for the air crash.
- I see your point, but you have to consider that the pilot had his share of
responsibility as well.
- I agree with you to a certain extent. The pilot also made mistakes.
- That’s a valid point, but there were other contributing factors in this case.

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5. CORRECTING A MISUNDERSTANDING

Example sentences
 - Why did you say that the landing gear was down and locked when it was not?
- In fact I did not say that. I just asked the pilot about his intentions when he
informed he had an unsafe indication on the panel.

 Actually I informed the pilot that the runway was contaminated. I never said he
had to go around.

 My supervisor said it was OK for me to start working in the overnight shift. As a

matter of fact, he was the one who suggested that.

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6. REFERRING (to someone else’s opinion or source of information)

Example sentences
 According to the TWR, TAM 3566 was warned of men at work on the left side of
the runway. Investigation is underway to find out if this information is correct.

 As reported by authorities, the TCAS did seem to have sounded any warning and
that was probably the main cause of the mid-air collision.

 Based on my long term experience as an ATCO, I can assure you that the pilot
will not be held responsible for squawking 7500. He was being threatened by the
hijacker.

 As Maria said, no one in the aircraft was advised to fasten the seat belts when
they entered a turbulent area.

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7. CONTRASTING IDEAS

Example sentences
 They used fireworks to scare the birds away from the vicinity of the
airdrome, but it was no use.

 On the one hand, I was happy because I would be working in Brasília APP,
which is something I’ve always dreamed of. On the other hand, I would be
living far away from my loved ones. What a difficult decision to make!

Grammar tip!

Although / Even though + CLAUSE (subject - verb - object)

When although /even though clause comes before the main clause, we
usually put a comma (,) at the end of the clause. When the main clause
comes first, we don’t need to use a comma:

 Even though the aircraft was flying on only one engine, everybody seemed to
be calm on board (main clause). /or/
 Everybody seemed to be calm on board even though the aircraft was flying
on only one engine.

 Although the ramp was practically empty on that day, the pilot could hit the
winglet of another aircraft. (main clause) /or/
 The pilot could hit the winglet of another aircraft although the ramp was
practically empty on that day.

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8. STORY TELLING (Introduction, Body Paragraph and Conclusion)

Body paragraph
(Development of the
argument)

Telling a story - Example

(INTRODUCTION) To begin with, I was having a great day at the TWR because I had
been promoted as a supervisor and everybody was congratulating me on that.

(BODY) It was when GLO1478 called and announced they had lost one of the engines
and asked for landing priority. The pilot’s voice sounded like he was really nervous, so
I was doing my best to assist him. Meanwhile, believe it or not, another aircraft
reported they needed medical assistance on the ground because a passenger had just
had a heart attack.
As a newly-promoted supervisor, I noticed at that moment that I was having my first
dull moment as a decision maker. Then I put my thoughts together, took a deep
breath and assigned the medical emergency aircraft as the number one for landing,
considering that GLO1478 had reported they were doing fine, despite the loss of the
engine.

(CONCLUSION) To cut it short, both aircraft landed safely and I could finally celebrate
my promotion with my friends later on that night.

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9. SEQUENCING IDEAS (speech words and phrases)

Sequencing ideas – Example

- So, why did you divert the traffic to Congonhas instead of Curitiba?
- There are many reasons for that. To begin with, the pilot informed he was
running out of fuel and they were closer to Congonhas when he first contacted
me.
What’s more, I had been informed that a thunderstorm had passed over
Curitiba, so I thought I’d better clear the landing in São Paulo.
Last but not least, Congonhas was surprisingly calm on that day, so what’s
wrong in authorizing the diversion?

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10. EXPRESSING CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Example sentences
 The flight was a bit bumpy at FL 350. So /or/ Consequently, the pilot
descended to FL 280 for the passenger’s comfort.
 Because of a disruptive passenger, the flight was 30 minutes delayed.
 Passengers were strongly advised to wear masks all along the journey as a
result of the pandemic that hit the world.

Grammar tip!
Due to (+ NOUN)
 Due to strong turbulence, a passenger fell from his seat.

Due to the fact that (+ CLAUSE: subject -– verb - object)

 A passenger fell from his seat due to the fact that the aircraft was facing
strong turbulence.

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11. GIVING EXAMPLES

Example sentences
 Some medications can be administered to prevent anaphylactic shock, for
example / for instance, adrenaline and antihistamine.
 Engine problems such as / like blade damage and flameout can be caused
by volcanic ashes.
 The lost pilot depended on landmarks such as / like highways, rivers,
monuments and parks to describe where he was to the ATCO.

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 EPLIS PRACTICE
ICEA ONLINE COURSES (CTP-016 / CTP-017 / CTP-018)

1. MAKING SUGGESTIONS AND GIVING ADVICE

Example sentences
 You should warn all incoming aircraft about strong winds in Curitiba this
afternoon.
 If I were the captain, I would proceed to the alternate airdrome.
 There’s a lot of debris on the runway. The ground staff had better collect it
as soon as possible.

Grammar tip!
The subjunctive form: Suggest (+ that-clause)
# Rule 1: Don’t use me, him, us, them etc. as indirect object pronouns after suggest.
Use the subjunctive form instead.
# Rule 2: Don’t use an infinitive after suggest. Don’t say “I suggest to do something”.

 My boss suggested that I work in the morning shift.

 The supervisor suggests that she study more phraseology.

#Rule 3: It is also correct to say I suggest + verb(ing):

 I suggest deviating the aircraft from that huge CB ahead.

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