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Discourse markers are words and expressions that help organize writing, connect ideas, and express the writer’s attitude. Mastering them can improve fluency, coherence, and clarity in both written and spoken English.
Discourse markers fall into three main categories:
Structure markers: help organize your text
Connection markers: link ideas logically.
Attitude markers: show opinion, emphasis, or clarify meaning
Here’s a closer look into each one of them:
1. Organizing the Structure of a Text
These discourse markers help structure your message by introducing, sequencing, or concluding ideas.
| Function | Examples |
|---|---|
| Introducing a new subject | Now, As for, Turning to, With reference to, Regarding |
| Subdividing ideas | First, Firstly, Secondly, Then, In the first place, Lastly, Finally |
| Returning to a previous point | To return to, As I was saying, Back to, Returning to the earlier point |
| Summing up or concluding | To sum up, In conclusion, In summary, In short, All in all, Briefly |
2. Connecting Ideas: Conjunctions vs. Discourse Markers
These expressions help link ideas across sentences and paragraphs to improve flow and coherence. They may be conjunctions or discourse markers (also called speech markers or sentence adverbs).
Note that:
- Conjunctions (e.g. because, but, although) are used inside a sentence to join clauses.
- Discourse markers (e.g. however, therefore, on the other hand) often begin a new sentence or clause and guide the reader through the logic or attitude. They are usually followed by a comma.
Examples:
- I was tired but I kept working. → (conjunction)
- I was tired. However, I kept working. → (discourse marker)
- He left early because he was sick. → (conjunction)
- He was very pale. Because of that, he left early. → (discourse marker)
You can study more about Conjunctions here. Now let’s organize the expressions into functional categories:
| Function | Examples |
|---|---|
| Adding ideas | Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Also, Too, Besides, What is more |
| Giving examples | For example, For instance, In particular, Namely, Such as |
| Contrasting or balancing ideas | However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Yet, Still, Though, But, In contrast, In opposition, On the one hand… on the other hand, Even so |
| Cause, effect, and result | Because, Since, As, So, Therefore, Thus, Consequently, As a result, Hence, Because of that |
| Purpose | So that, In order to, To, For the purpose of |
| Concession (admitting a point) | It is true that, Certainly, Granted, Of course, Admittedly |
| Similarity | Similarly, Likewise, In the same way, Equally |
| Referring to expectations | In fact, Actually, As a matter of fact, Surprisingly |
| Dismissing previous points | In any case, Anyway, At any rate, Whatever the case |
3. Expressing Attitude and Clarifying Meaning
These discourse markers show how the writer feels, what they believe, or help soften or clarify ideas.
| Function | Examples |
|---|---|
| Expressing opinion/belief | In my opinion, In my view, I believe, I think, Honestly, Frankly |
| Softening or hedging | Apparently, It seems, I guess, I would say, From my perspective |
| Clarifying or rephrasing | That is, That is to say, In other words, To put it another way |
| Correcting or adjusting | Actually, In fact, Or rather, I mean, At least, More or less |
| Emphasizing | Above all, Especially, Particularly, Indeed, Surely, Clearly, Obviously |
Using a variety of discourse markers will greatly improve clarity and cohesion in writing.
Discourse Markers are normally studied in sets within a context, here you’ll find as extensive explanation and a comprehensive set, but most probably incomplete since there are so many of them. They are also called Speech Markers, Transition Words, Text organizers. But Conjunctions, or Connectors, are actually a ‘category’ of Discourse markers, find more about them here.
Tips for Learning and Using Discourse Markers
- Practice makes perfect: The more you read, write, and speak, the more familiar you’ll become with discourse markers. Listen to native speakers and notice how they use them in conversations.
- Be aware of the tone: Some discourse markers are more formal (e.g., “therefore,” “in conclusion”) while others are informal (e.g., “you know,” “actually”). Choose the right ones depending on the situation.
- Don’t overuse them: While discourse markers help, using too many can make your speech or writing sound repetitive. Try to use them only when necessary to connect ideas smoothly.
Exercises on Discourse Markers
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