Discourse Markers
Learn English discourse markers that organise writing and speaking, connect larger ideas, and help manage conversation turns and topics, at B2 level.
What Are Discourse Markers?
Discourse markers are words and phrases that organise communication and connect larger ideas. They are common in both writing (to connect paragraphs/arguments) and speaking (to manage turns and change topic).
They help speakers:
- structure arguments
- manage conversations
- improve fluency
- express relationships between ideas more clearly and appropriately
Adding Information
Use these markers to add another point or to strengthen an argument.
| Marker | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| furthermore | formal addition | The hotel was affordable. Furthermore, it was close to the city centre. |
| moreover | adds an extra supporting point (often emphatic/formal) | She is highly experienced. Moreover, she speaks three languages. |
| in addition | extra information | In addition, the company offers free training. |
| besides | a clinching extra reason | We should leave now. Besides, it is getting late. |
Besides is informal and often gives a final, convincing extra reason. Use neutral in addition or formal furthermore in an essay.
Do not begin every paragraph with furthermore or moreover. Use an addition marker only when the new point really adds to the previous one; otherwise, let the sentence or paragraph link speak for itself.
Contrast and Concession
Used to introduce opposing or unexpected ideas.
| Marker | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| however | contrast | The task was difficult. However, we completed it on time. |
| nevertheless | surprising contrast | He had very little experience. Nevertheless, he got the job. |
| on the other hand | alternative viewpoint (compare two sides/choices) | On the one hand, city life is exciting. On the other hand, it can be stressful. |
| in contrast | direct opposition between two stated things | The first hotel is expensive. In contrast, the second costs almost nothing. |
Use on the one hand … on the other hand to compare two sides or choices. If you only want simple contrast, use however or but.
Use in contrast to compare two things that have both been stated. Use on the contrary to reject or correct what someone has just said: “Is the film boring?” “On the contrary, it is very exciting.”
Result and Consequence
Used to show logical outcomes.
| Marker | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| therefore | formal result | The company lost money; therefore, several employees were fired. |
| consequently | formal consequence, often after a clear cause | He trained every day. Consequently, his performance improved. |
| as a result | outcome | The weather was terrible. As a result, the event was cancelled. |
| thus | concise formal written result; rare in speech | The evidence was incomplete; thus, we could not draw a conclusion. |
Use therefore for a general logical conclusion and consequently when you want to stress the result of a clear cause. As a result is a neutral choice. Thus is concise and mainly used in formal writing, not conversation.
Organising Ideas
Used to structure presentations, essays, and discussions.
| Marker | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| firstly | first point in a list | Firstly, we need to identify the problem. |
| secondly | second point | Secondly, we should discuss possible solutions. |
| lastly | final point in a list | Lastly, we need to decide who will lead the project. |
| finally | final step or last event | Finally, we need to decide who will lead the project. |
| to begin with | introducing | To begin with, let us look at the main problem. |
| first of all | introducing the first point | First of all, let us look at the main problem. |
| at first | at the beginning, before a change | At first, I found the job difficult, but I soon enjoyed it. |
| in conclusion | ending | In conclusion, public transport should be improved. |
Use firstly or first of all to introduce the first point in an argument. Use at first only when you describe an earlier situation that later changed.
Giving examples and clarifying
Use these markers to make your meaning more precise in writing and speaking.
| Marker | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for example | introduces one example | Many cities have improved public transport. For example, Copenhagen has extensive cycle lanes. |
| for instance | introduces one example; slightly more formal | Some jobs need excellent communication skills; nursing, for instance, is one. |
| such as | gives examples after a noun | Outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling are popular here. |
| in other words | says the same idea more clearly | The deadline is flexible. In other words, we can finish next week. |
| that is | gives a precise explanation | The meeting is on the final working day, that is, Friday. |
| to put it another way | reformulates an idea | The plan is too expensive. To put it another way, we cannot afford it. |
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Spoken Discourse Markers
Common in natural conversation.
| Marker | Function |
|---|---|
| actually | correction/surprise |
| anyway | returning/changing topic |
| by the way | introducing a new/side topic (topic shift) |
| after all | (1) giving a reason/reminder or (2) showing that the final result was different from what was expected |
Examples
- Actually, I disagree with that idea.
- Anyway, let’s continue.
- By the way, have you spoken to Anna?
- Let’s invite her—after all, she helped us a lot.
- She came after all.
More conversational markers
| Marker | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| well | hesitating or giving a careful answer | Well, I am not sure that will work. |
| you know | softening or checking shared knowledge | It is, you know, quite complicated. |
| I mean | reformulating or correcting | It was a success—I mean, mostly. |
| right | checking agreement | We meet at six, right? |
| so | opening a turn or moving to the next point | So, what should we do next? |
| mind you | adding a qualification | It is cheap. Mind you, it is very small. |
Formal vs Informal Style
These pairs are approximate; choose a marker based on meaning (contrast, result, addition), not only on formality. Thus and nonetheless are markedly formal and mainly written. Anyway is common in speech when resuming a topic; in formal writing, use in any case when you mean “despite that” or “regardless”.
| Informal | More Formal |
|---|---|
| but | however |
| so | therefore |
| also | furthermore |
| anyway | in any case / nevertheless / nonetheless (choose based on meaning) |
Examples
- Informal: It was expensive, but I bought it.
- Formal: It was expensive; however, I bought it.
Punctuation with Discourse Markers
Most of these markers are adverbials, not conjunctions. Unlike but and although, they cannot join two complete clauses by themselves, so use a full stop or a semicolon when needed.
Introductory markers
Sentence-initial markers (e.g. However, Therefore, In addition) are usually followed by a comma.
Examples
- However, I disagree.
- Therefore, we changed the plan.
Mid-sentence markers
If the marker appears inside a sentence, punctuation depends on where it fits:
- We, however, decided to leave.
- The results, therefore, were inconclusive.
Formal sentence linking
Often use a semicolon when linking two independent clauses in formal writing.
Examples
- The plan failed; therefore, we started again.
- He was exhausted; nevertheless, he continued working.
A semicolon is common in formal writing, but you can also use a full stop: “The company lost money. Therefore, several employees were fired.”
Do not join two complete sentences with commas around however:
- ✗ “The task was difficult, however, we completed it on time.”
- ✓ “The task was difficult. However, we completed it on time.”
- ✓ “The task was difficult; however, we completed it on time.”
Summary
- Choose markers by meaning (addition/contrast/result), then by formality.
- Use “on the other hand” for an alternative viewpoint (often two-sided comparisons).
- For formal clause linking, prefer “; however/therefore,” or a full stop + connector.
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Discourse madrkers
44 wordsLast updated October 14, 2026