DISCOURSE MARKERS IN CONVERSATIONSOnline version
B22 EXPRESSIONS: MIND YOU, BY THE WAY, BASICALLY,AS I WAS SAYING, ACTUALLY, COME TO THINK OF IT, BY THE WAY.
1
You're explaining something familiar to a friend who seems unsure. You say:
"Paris is such a beautiful city. It's the capital of France, _______."
2
Your colleague assumes you enjoyed the company retreat, but it was quite the opposite. You correct their misconception:
"I know everyone thinks I had a great time, but _______ I found it quite stressful and not at all relaxing."
3
You're complaining about the long wait at a popular restaurant, then recall it's a special occasion:
"The queue was ridiculous and we waited for over an hour... _______ it was Valentine's Day, so we should have expected it."
4
Your explanation of a complex process is interrupted by a phone call. When you return to the conversation, you say:
"Sorry about that interruption. Now, where was I? Oh yes, _______ the next step in the procedure is crucial."
5
While planning a camping trip, you suddenly remember an important detail you'd forgotten:
"We've got the tent, sleeping bags, and food sorted out... _______ we need to pack insect repellent too. I completely forgot about the mosquitoes!"
6
After a lengthy explanation about the company's new project, you want to sum up the key points:
"I've given you a lot of information about the various aspects of this initiative, but _______ it all comes down to improving customer satisfaction and increasing our market share."
7
You've been having a long, enjoyable chat with an old friend, but you notice the time and need to leave:
"It's been wonderful catching up and reminiscing about old times, but _______ I should get going. I have an early meeting tomorrow."
Choose one or more answers
8
During a serious discussion about budget cuts at work, you remember some positive news unrelated to the current topic:
"I know we're all concerned about the financial situation, but on a completely different note, _______ the company picnic is next weekend, and I hear it's going to be fantastic!"
Feedback
"You know" is used here as a discourse marker to check if the listener is following or to emphasize shared knowledge. It's often used when stating something that's considered common knowledge or when you expect the listener to agree or be familiar with the information.
"Actually" is used to correct a misconception or provide information that contrasts with what was previously assumed. In this case, it's used to contradict the assumption that the speaker enjoyed the company retreat.
"Mind you" is used to add a contrasting or qualifying statement to what was just said. Here, it introduces a mitigating factor (Valentine's Day) that explains the long wait at the restaurant, contrasting with the initial complaint.
As I was saying
This phrase is used to return to a topic or point that was interrupted. It helps the speaker resume their explanation after the phone call disruption.
Come to think of it
Explanation: This expression is used when someone suddenly remembers or realizes something. In this context, it introduces a newly remembered item (insect repellent) that wasn't initially considered in the camping plans.
Basically
Explanation: "Basically" is used to summarize or simplify a complex explanation. After providing detailed information about the project, the speaker uses this to distill the main points.
Anyway
Explanation: "Anyway" is often used to signal a change in topic or to end a conversation. Here, it's used to transition from the enjoyable chat to the need to leave
By the way
Explanation: This phrase is used to introduce information that is not directly related to the current topic of conversation. In this case, it's used to shift from the serious discussion about budget cuts to the unrelated topic of the company picnic.
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