DISCOURSE MARKERS are words or phrases used for organizing the flow of conversation (e.g. anyway, you know, so, etc). When used properly, discourse markers may be indicative of a higher level of language proficiency.
Keep in mind that one discourse marker may have several meanings and fall into several different categories (including but not limited to the ones below).
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO AVOID SOUNDING TOO DECISIVE OR UPFRONT
APPARENTLY – used to show that you’re not sure that what you’re saying is a fact. The info you’re mentioning is based on your observations or may also be smth you’ve heard or read before.
Man, I hate broccoli but apparently it is good for your skin.
Jake was fired last week because he got in a fight with his coworker. And apparently, this wasn’t the first time he lost his job because of his anger issues.
SORT OF/KIND OF (also kinda/sorta) – used to indicate that smth happens to some degree. These are also one of the most common parasite words in English.
I was kinda disappointed when I heard that he doesn’t write books anymore.
I kind of thought that he would never retire as an author.
PERHAPS/ MAYBE/PROBABLY – used to express uncertainty.
My friends tell me that my relationship with Sandy is doomed to fail. Perhaps they are right but I’m not ready to give up yet. Maybe I’m in love and maybe I’m in denial. I could probably use some advice from someone who’d been through the same experience.
I THINK (when used at the end of a sentence) – used to sound less direct, to soften your words.
He wants to invest all his money in this venture. It’s not the best idea, I think.
This color is a bit flamboyant, I think.
JUST – used to soften a phrase, often a request.
I was just wondering if you could go there with me.
Could you just answer your phone when it rings?
SURELY – 1) used to express your opinion with the hope that the person you are talking to will share it; 2) used to express surprise.
Surely drinking is not the solution to her problems (1).
Surely you don’t want to continue hanging out with them after what they did to you?
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO EXPRESS SINCERITY, AN HONEST OPINION
TO BE HONEST – used to emphasize that smth you are saying is your actual opinion.
I’m not a fan of this actor’s work, to be honest.
To be honest, I don’t feel like going out tonight.
HONESTLY – used when you want someone to believe that smth you are saying is the truth.
Honestly, I haven’t heard anything about it until this moment.
FRANKLY – used to express that you mean what you are saying.
Frankly, Katy, I don’t think we should encourage Kyle’s behavior.
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH – used to indicate that you’re expressing your true thoughts and not trying to hide anything from the listener.
To tell you the truth, I was scared to learn about your past.
IF YOU ASK ME – used to emphasize that smth you are saying is only your opinion.
If you ask me, they should’ve been in prison for what they did.
ADMITTEDLY – used to say smth that slightly weakens your previous point.
I thought you hated each other. Admittedly, it's been a while since I’ve last seen you two together.
I MUST ADMIT / SAY – used for emphasizing a statement.
I must admit I was surprised to find out that she gained some weight.
And I must say, she never looked better.
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED FOR REPHRASING / CONVEYING THOUGHTS MORE CLEARLY
I MEAN / WHAT I MEAN IS – used to make smth you’ve just said more clear.
Have you been seeing him a lot lately? I mean, outside your work.
I'm not the kind of person who would judge other people for their weaknesses. What I mean is you don’t have to hide anything from me.
IN OTHER WORDS / TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY – used to explain smth differently.
It always felt like there was something off about the way she acted. To put it another way, I thought she acted very suspiciously.
Jerry acts all silly and stuff but not many people know that he graduated from Stanford a few years ago. In other words, he’s not as stupid as you think.
ACTUALLY / WELL – used to change slightly smth you’ve said, or express it in a different way.
I used to have this friend… Actually, he was more of an acquaintance but that’s not the point. So, this friend, or acquaintance if you wish, made the best gravy I’ve ever tasted and I’m so sad we stopped hanging out.
My drawing skills significantly improved since I started going to art classes. Well, I don’t draw like a toddler anymore.
IN FACT – used to elaborate on smth you’ve just said.
I’ve been in a terrible accident last year. In fact, I almost died.
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO STATE SMTH OBVIOUS
NATURALLY – used to indicate that smth you are saying is normal and expected considering the circumstances.
The boy looked nothing like his parents. Naturally, he started asking questions.
NO DOUBT – used to indicate that you are sure about smth you are saying, that it is likely to be true.
No doubt, you’ll find something to your taste in our library.
OBVIOUSLY – used when you expect the listener to know what you are talking about or when you state smth easy to see, notice or understand.
When I was a kid, I thought adults knew everything about this world. Obviously, I was wrong.
CLEARLY – used to state smth obvious.
Clearly, he knows what he’s talking about.
OF COURSE – used indicate that what you’re saying is obvious and should not be news to the listener.
Of course, there are many other fascinating creatures on our planet.
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO EXPRESS REGRET, TO SOFTEN YOUR DISAGREEMENT
(I’M) SORRY – used to tell someone smth they probably wouldn’t want to hear (e.g. disagreement, bad news).
I’m sorry but that’s none of your business.
Sorry but dogs are not allowed in our gym.
I’M AFRAID – used to apologize/to disagree politely.
This color really suits you. But I’m afraid we don’t have this shirt in your size.
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you on this one.
UNFORTUNATELY / SADLY / ALAS – used to express unhappiness about smth.
Unfortunately, I can’t help you with your problem.
We hoped everything would go quiet after they left. Sadly, this wasn’t the end of this horrible story.
Alas, life doesn’t work this way.
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO INDICATE ONE’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SUBJECT
HOPEFULLY – used to indicate that the speaker wishes for smth to happen.
I’ll have to meet Collins in court tomorrow. Hopefully, it’ll be the last time I see him.
THANKFULLY – used to express that the speaker is glad that smth happened.
Yesterday I was pulled over for speeding. Thankfully, I didn’t get a ticket, ‘cause the deputy was my dad’s friend.
SURPRISINGLY – used to express that smth was unexpected for the speaker.
I was sure the wedding was gonna be a disaster. Surprisingly enough, it went really well.
IDEALLY – used to express that the speaker thinks of smth as the perfect outcome.
"How long is it gonna take you to finish the project?"
"Ideally, we’ll get it done by Friday."
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED AS FILLERS
Fillers are used to give the speaker a moment to form a thought and may be considered parasite words.
LET’S SEE / LIKE / YOU KNOW / I MEAN / WELL
A: “So, we need to write, like, 300 pages; it’s gonna take us, let’s see, at least 20 days.”
B: “Yeah, well, that’s what I told him. And he was, like, no, not gonna wait this long.”
A: “Well, like, what does he expect? Does he think we’re, you know, just sitting around all day?”
B: “I mean, we should be grateful he gave us this job at all, you know, after hearing the way we speak.”
DISCOURSE MARKERS USED TO CHANGE THE FOCUS OF CONVERSATION
ANYWAY – used to change the focus of conversation or return to the initial subject.
“My friend recommended me to read the book called Valliant Efforts. Have you heard of it?”
“No, I can’t say that I have. Was it written by the same guy who wrote Weak Attempts?”
“Maybe. I can’t remember the name of the author. Anyway, my friend told me that the main character reminds him of me so much that, at first, he thought that I was the author.”
BY THE WAY – used to add afterthoughts somewhat related to the topic of conversation.
Nate told me once that his dream was to go to New Zealand. By the way, do you know what happened to him?
WELL – used to slightly change the focus of conversation.
“I’m going to Hawaii next week.”
“Well, you deserve a break after all this mess you’ve sorted out at work.”