Discourse markers In Speaking

 English Speaking

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English speaking - Lessons

Discourse markers

Showing one's attitude to what one is saying

Key words and phrases
Honestly
Frankly
No doubt

Honestly can be used to claim that one is speaking sincerely.

• Honestly, I never said a word to him about the money.

Both honestly and frankly can introduce critical remarks.

• ‘Honestly, John, why do you have to be so rude?’
• ‘What do you think of my hair?’ ‘Frankly, dear, it is a disaster.’

No doubt suggests that the speaker thinks something is probable, but doesn’t know for certain himself or herself.

• No doubt, the Romans enjoyed telling jokes, just like us.

Grammar notes

No doubt is often used to mean probably or I suppose.

• No doubt, it will rain soon.
• You are tired, no doubt. I will make you a cup of tea.

No doubt is not used alone to say that something is certain. Possible expressions are there is no doubt that (formal), without any doubt (formal), certainly and definitely.

• There is no doubt that the world is getting warmer. (NOT No doubt that the world is getting warmer.)
• Cycling is definitely healthier than driving.

Announcing decisions using will

We have seen that the future tense forms are constructed with will and shall. Will and shall are also used in offers, promises and orders. In these cases will usually expresses ideas such as willingness, wishes and intentions. Shall expresses obligation.

Announcing decisions

Will and its contracted form 'll are often used to announce decisions as we make it.
OK, I will buy the tickets if you will buy the drinks.
‘You can have it for $10.’ ‘OK, I will buy it.’
‘There is the door bell.’ ‘I will go.’
Shall is not used in this way.
We do not usually use will or shall to talk about decisions that have already been made. Instead, we use the present progressive or going to.
Now that we have agreed on a price, I am going to buy it. (More natural than ‘… I will buy it’)
To talk about refusals we use won’t.
I won’t go.
He won’t do it.
It won’t work.

Giving instructions and orders

We can use will you…? to ask people to do things.
Will you please come here?
Will you move a bit?
Will you please keep quiet?
In polite requests we use would you…?
Compare:
Will you make me a cup of coffee? (An order or instruction)
Would you make me a cup of coffee? (More polite request)
Will is also used in threats and promises.
If you do that again I will break your neck.
I promise I won’t do that again.

Persuading

Key words and phrases After all
Look
Look here
No doubt

• I think we should let her go on holiday alone. After all, she is sixteen – she is not a child anymore.

Look is more strongly persuasive.

• You can’t go there tomorrow. Look, the trains aren’t running.

Look here! is an angry exclamation. It means ‘You can’t say/do that!’

• Look here! What are you doing with my suitcase?

No doubt can be used to persuade people politely to do things.

• No doubt you will be paying your rent soon?

 

Hopes and expectations

Expectations and hopes are different. If you expect something to happen, you have a good reason to think it will in fact happen. Hoping is more emotional. If you hope for something to happen, you would like it to happen, but you don’t know whether it will.

•  She is expecting a baby. (= She is pregnant.)
• She is hoping it will be a girl. 
• I am expecting John to phone at four o’clock.
• I hope he has got some good news.

One can expect good or bad things to happen, but one only hopes for good things.

Look forward to

Look forward to means ‘think about something in the future with pleasure’. You look forward to something that is certain to happen, and that you are glad about. Simple and progressive forms can often be used with little difference of meaning.

• He looks/ He is looking forward to his next birthday.

Look forward to can be followed by to …ing, but not by an infinitive.

• I look forward to meeting you.
• I look forward to hearing from you.

Grammar notes

We use hope for before a direct object.

• We are expecting rain soon.
• We are hoping for a lot of rain – the garden is very dry.

Expect and hope can be used with a following infinitive.

• We expect to spend the summer in France.
• We hope to see Alice while we are there.

An object + infinitive structure is possible after except and hope.

• I expect him to arrive about ten o’ clock.
• We are hoping for John to come up with some new ideas.

Expect and hope can be followed by that-clauses.

• I expect that she will be here soon.
• I hope that she will recognize me.

Before a that-clause, simple and progressive forms of hope can often be used with little difference of meaning.

• We hope/ We are hoping (that) you can come and stay with us soon.

Before a that-clause, progressive forms of expect are not normally used.

• I expect that she will be here soon. (NOT I am expecting that she …)

Before an infinitive, simple and progressive forms of hope and except can often be used with little difference of meaning.

• We hope/ We are hoping to get to Canada next weekend.
• We except/ We are excepting to hear from Lucy today.

After I hope, we often use a present tense with a future meaning.

• I hope the bus comes (= will come) soon.

We can use I was hoping to introduce a polite request.

• I was hoping you could lend me some money.

I had hoped … is used to talk about hopes that were not realized.

• I had hoped that Ann would become a doctor, but she wasn’t good enough at science.

 

Talking about general pains and aches

Here are some common expressions that you can use to describe general ‘aches and pains’.

General aches and pains

• ‘I'm not feeling very well.’
• ‘I think I'm going down with a cold. I've got a sore throat.’
• ‘I've got a slight headache/ toothache / stomach ache / backache.’
• ‘Are you getting enough sleep?’
• ‘I'm not sleeping very well at the moment.’
• ‘I feel a little faint.’
• ‘I've got a nagging pain in my shoulder.’
• ‘I've got a splitting headache.’
• ‘I feel fine.’
• ‘I always feel sleepy on Mondays.’
• ‘I have a bit of a stomach bug.’
• ‘I think I've got a bit of a temperature.’ ‘Why don't you go home and have a lie-down?’
• ‘I am not feeling well. I must get some rest.’
• ‘I've got a nasty cough.’
• ‘You don't look very well. What happened?’ ‘I have a touch of flu.’
• ‘You look a little pale.'

Grammar Notes

To talk about feelings that are going on at a particular moment, simple or progressive forms can be used.

• I feel fine. OR I am feeling fine.
• How do you feel? OR How are you feeling?

Ill and sick
Ill is often used to mean ‘unwell’ in British English. In American English ill is unusual except in a formal style. Note that we use ill after a verb.

• She is ill.

In Attributive position (before a noun), many British people prefer to use sick. Sick is also the normal informal American word for unwell.

• The President is sick.

Be sick can mean ‘vomit’.

• I was sick three times in the night.
• She is never sea-sick.
• ‘I feel sick. Where is the bathroom?’

Uncountable
The names of illnesses are usually uncountable in English, including those ending in –s.

• If you have already had measles, you can’t get it again.
• There is a lot of flu around at the moment.

‘The’ can be used informally before the names of some common illnesses such as the measles, the flu; others have no article.

• I think I have got (the) measles.
• Have you had chickenpox?

Minor ailments

The words for some minor ailments are countable: e.g. a cold, a sore throat, a headache. However, toothache, earache, stomach-ache and backache are more often uncountable in British English. In American English, these words are generally countable.

• I have got a horrible cold.
• Have you got a headache?
• I am getting toothache. (GB)
• I am getting a toothache. (US)

Giving your opinions

There are many ways to give your opinions when speaking English. The exact English expression you use depends on how strong your opinion is.
Key phrases
I think; I feel; I reckon (informal)
I guess (American)
In my view/opinion (formal)
Apparently; so to speak; more or less; sort of (informal)
Kind of (informal)
Well; really; that is to say; at least; I am afraid; I suppose; or rather; actually; I mean

Giving your opinion neutrally

I think/ feel/ reckon/ guess and in my view/ opinion are used to make opinions and statements sound less dogmatic.

• I think she is lying.
• I really feel she is making a mistake.
• I reckon/ guess she just doesn’t love him.
• In my view/opinion, it would be better to call the police.

Apparently can be used to say that the speaker has got his/her information from somebody else (and perhaps does not guarantee that it is true).

• Have you heard? Apparently Alice is pregnant again.

So to speak, more or less, at least and sort/kind of are used to show that one is not speaking very exactly, or to soften something which might upset other people. Well and really can also be used to soften.

• I sort of think we ought to leave now.
• I kind of think we are going to lose.
• She is kind of strange.
• ‘Do you like it?’ ‘Well, yes, it is all right.’
• Ghosts don’t exist. At least, I have never seen one.

I am afraid

I am afraid (that) often means I am sorry to tell you (that). It is used to introduce apologetic refusals and bad news.

• I am afraid I can’t help you.
• I am afraid I forgot to post the letters.

I suppose is used to enquire politely about something. It can also be used to suggest unwilling agreement.

• ‘I suppose you are very busy at the moment?’
• ‘Can you lend me some money?’ ‘I suppose so.’

Or rather and I mean can be used to correct oneself.

• I am seeing him in May – or rather early June.
• Let’s meet next Monday – I mean Tuesday.

According to

We do not usually give our own opinions with according to.

• In my opinion, she is sick. (NOT According to me, …)

Giving a strong opinion

• ’I'm absolutely convinced that…’
• ‘I'm sure that…’
• ‘I strongly believe that…’
• ‘I have no doubt that…’

English expressions for asking someone's opinion

• What do you think?
• ‘What's your view?’
• ‘How do you see the situation?’

Talking about general likes and dislikes

There's a whole range of English expressions you can use to talk about how much you like or dislike something.
Key words and phrases
Love
Like
Dislike
Fond of
Adore
Can’t bear
Can’t stand
Hate
Detest
Loathe

If you like something

• ‘I like him very much.’
• ‘I very much like going to parties and meeting people.’
• ‘I love eating ice-cream.’
• ‘I adore sun-bathing.’
• ‘She's fond of chocolate.’
• ‘I like climbing mountains.’
• ‘I don’t like people phoning me in the middle of the night.’
• ‘I like swimming very much.’
• ‘He quite likes going to the cinema.’
• ‘I like cooking.’

If you neither like nor dislike something

• ‘I don't mind doing the housework.’
• ‘I don’t mind you coming in late if you don’t wake me up.’

If you don't like something

• ‘She doesn't like cooking very much.’
• ‘He's not very fond of doing the gardening.’
• ‘I dislike wasting time.’

If you really dislike something

• ‘I don't like fish at all.’
• ‘He can't stand his mother-in-law.’
• ‘She can't bear cooking in a dirty kitchen.’
• ‘I hate liars.’
• ‘He detests being late.’

Grammar Notes
Like is not usually used in progressive forms.

• ‘What do you think of the soup?’ ‘I like it.’ (NOT I am liking it.)

Note that very much does not come between like and its object.

• I like him very much. OR I very much like him. (NOT I like very much him.)

In British English, like + -ing form is used mostly to talk about enjoyment, and like + infinitive mostly to talk about choices and habits. In American English, like + infinitive is common in both senses.

• I like swimming in the sea. (GB)
• I like to swim in the sea. (US)

Would like

Would like + infinitive is often used as a polite way of saying want, especially in requests and offers.

• ‘Would you like to dance with me?’ ‘Yes, OK.’

Focusing and linking

Key phrases With reference to
Talking/speaking of/about
Regarding
As regards
As far as … is concerned
As for

By announcing the subject in advance, these expressions focus attention on what is going to be said.

With reference to

With reference to is a very formal expression. It is used mainly at the beginning of business letters.
With reference to your letter of 18 June, I am pleased to inform you that …

Speaking/talking about/of

These expressions are used to make a link with what has just been said. It can help a speaker to change the subject.
‘I saw John and Mary today. You know she is -’ ‘Talking of John, did you know he is going to get married?’

As regards and as far as … is concerned

As regards and as far as … is concerned usually announce a change of subject by the speaker or writer.
There are no problems about production. As far as marketing is concerned, I think the best thing is to …
It is incorrect to leave out ‘is concerned’ after ‘as far as …’

As for

As for often suggests lack of interest or dislike.
I have invited Peter and John. As for, Mark, I don’t care if I never see him again in my life.

Contrasting points

Key phrases
On the other hand
While
Whereas
However
Nevertheless
Mind you
Still
Yet
In spite of

On the other hand; while; whereas

These expressions are used to balance two facts or ideas that contrast, but do not contradict each other.
Arranged marriages are common in many Middle Eastern countries. In the West, on the other hand, they are unusual.
Tom is very ambitious whereas/while his brother is quite the reverse.

However; nevertheless

However and nevertheless emphasise the fact that the second point contrasts with the first. Nevertheless is very formal.
There was little hope of success nevertheless they decided to perform the operation.

Mind you; still

Mind you and still introduce the contrasting point as an afterthought.
I don’t like the job much. Mind you/still, the money is OK.

Yet; still; in spite of

These expressions are used to suggest that something is surprising, in view of what was said before.
He is very wealthy, yet/still very happy.
The train was an hour late. In spite of this, I managed to get to the meeting in time. (OR … I still managed to get …)
It was raining. In spite of this, they went out.

Talking about ability

Present ability

We use can to talk about present or general ability.

• I can swim.
• She can read Italian, but she can’t speak it.

Past ability

We use could to talk about general ability in the past.

• She could read when she was four.

Note that was/were able is also possible with this meaning.

• She was able to read when she was four.

Future ability

We normally use will be able to talk about future ability.

• I will be able to speak good French in a few months.

Unrealized past ability

We use could have + past participle to talk about unrealized past ability – to say that somebody was able to do something, but did not try to do it.

• I was so angry I could have killed her.
• I could have married anybody I wanted to.

Couldn’t have + past participle means that somebody would not have been able to do something even if they had wanted or tried to.

• I couldn’t have won, so I didn’t go in for the race.

Showing emphasis

In speech, we can make words sound stronger by pronouncing them louder and with a higher intonation. We may also make the vowel longer, and pause before a stressed word. Stress is reflected in printing by using italics or bold type. Changes in stress can affect the meaning of a sentence.
Compare:

• Alice phoned me yesterday. (Not somebody else.)
• Alice phoned me yesterday. (She didn’t come – she phoned.)
• Alice phoned me yesterday. (She didn’t phone you – she phoned me.)
• Alice phoned me yesterday. (Not today.)

We often stress auxiliary verbs. In emphatic sentences without auxiliary verbs we can add do to carry stress.

• Do sit down!
• She does like you.

Special words to show stress

Certain words, such as so, such, really and just, can be used to show emphasis.

• Thank you so much.
• It was such a lovely party.
• She is such a nice girl.
• I really like her.
• I just love the way she talks.

Question words can be emphasized by adding ever or on earth.

• Why ever did she marry him?
• What on earth is she doing here?

Myself, yourself etc can be used to emphasise nouns.

• I had a word with the manager himself.

Indeed can be used to emphasise very with an adjective or adverb.

• I was very surprised indeed.

Very can emphaise superlatives, next, last, first and same.

• We were born in the very same street on the very same day.

Repetition can also show emphasis.

• She is much, much older than her husband.

The addition of contraries to remarks already made

Read the sentences given below.

• He used to drink, but I never did.
• He can smoke if he wants, but you mustn’t.
• He can swim well, but I can’t.
• She needn’t pay, but you must.

Grammar notes

The negative of used to is never did. Usedn’t to is possible but is extremely rare.
When must shows obligation, its negative is needn’t.
When can shows permission, its negative is mustn’t or sometimes mayn’t (= prohibition).
When can shows ability, its negative is can’t.

• Must I wait? You needn’t. (no obligation to wait)
• Can I go? You mustn’t. (prohibition)

Emphasizing words using the structures the person who, the thing that etc.

Study the following sentence.

• Rani keeps a goat in the garden shed.

This sentence doesn’t put an emphasis on any part. Now we can rewrite this sentence putting the emphasis on Rani.

• Rani is the person who keeps a goat in the garden shed. OR The person who keeps a goat in the garden shed is Rani.

Both of these sentences put an emphasis on the noun Rani.
Now we can put the emphasis on the goat.

• A goat is what Rani keeps in the garden shed.
• What Rani keeps in the garden shed is a goat.

Now we can put the emphasis on the phrase ‘the garden shed’.

• The garden shed is the place where Rani keeps a goat.
• The place where Rani keeps a goat is the garden shed.

More examples are given below.

• Mira works at a bank.
• Mira is the person who works at a bank. / The person who works at a bank is Mira. (Emphasis on Mira.)
• A bank is the place where Mira works. / The place where Mira works is a bank. (Emphasis on a bank.)

• Karan put a book on the table.
• Karan was the person who put a book on the table. / The person who put a book on the table was Karan.
• A book was what Karan put on the table.
• What Karan put on the table was a book.
• The table was the place where Karan put a book.
• The place where Karan put a book was the table.

Emphasizing verbs

To emphasize a verb, we use a structure with what…do.

• She ran away.
• What she did was to run away.
• She makes model from clay.
• What she does is to make models from clay.

Preparatory it

Study the following sentence.

• My mother bought me a Barbie doll yesterday.
• It was my mother who / that bought me a Barbie doll yesterday. (Emphasis on my mother)
• It was a Barbie doll that my mother bought me yesterday. (Emphasis on Barbie doll)
• It was yesterday that my mother bought me a Barbie doll. (Emphasis on yesterday.)

• Shiva won the gold medal in the 100m race.
• It was Shiva who / that won the gold medal in the 100m race.
• It was the gold medal that Shiva won in the 100m race.