Advanced Discourse Markers
Help your reader or listener follow the argument, without filling every gap with a connector.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Your goal: Organise, clarify and resume a message using precise markers, suitable register and controlled punctuation.
Read, try each short Say it task aloud, then compare with a model. Finish with the mastery quiz.
Use the lesson together. Pause at each Say it task for a brief exchange, then continue to the mastery quiz.
1. Choose the job before the marker
A discourse marker shows how a part of your message relates to what surrounds it. Before choosing one, decide what your reader or listener needs: another point, a clarification, a return to the topic, or a conclusion.
| Job | Examples | In context |
|---|---|---|
| Add a point | in addition; moreover | The course is flexible. In addition, all recordings are available afterwards. |
| Clarify or reformulate | that is; in other words; I mean | The change is temporary. In other words, it will not be permanent. |
| Return to the topic | anyway; as I was saying | Anyway, we still need to choose a date. |
| Conclude | to sum up; in conclusion | To sum up, the venue works, but the date is unresolved. |
Meaning comes first. A marker cannot repair a missing logical connection. “The room is cheap. Moreover, it is expensive” needs a change of idea or a contrast marker, not a more impressive synonym for also.
Some expressions have more than one function. Anyway can return to a topic, move the conversation on, or dismiss a point as irrelevant. Interpret it in context.
Check the relationship
“We have discussed the costs. To sum up, we can afford the first option.” The second sentence draws a conclusion from the discussion. It is not simply adding an unrelated fact.
Listen: organise and clarify an explanation
Listen once for the overall message. Listen again and identify how the speaker introduces a point, clarifies it, returns to a topic and concludes.
Amanda · American English. The two extracts show conversational and more formal choices without treating every marker as interchangeable.
Model transcript and listening guidance
A spoken explanation: For a start, the room is easy to reach. I mean, everyone can get there by bus. Anyway, we still need to choose a date. To sum up, the venue works, but the timing is not settled.
A more formal explanation: The trial will run for one term, that is, twelve weeks. In addition, participants will receive weekly feedback. In other words, support will continue throughout the trial.
Listening guidance: For a start introduces an initial reason. I mean clarifies the intended meaning. Anyway returns to the practical task. To sum up signals a conclusion. That is specifies a detail, whereas in other words reformulates a message.
2. Specify, rephrase or correct yourself
THAT IS: make the detail explicit
The trial lasts one term, that is, twelve weeks.
The marker specifies what one term means here.
IN OTHER WORDS: express it another way
The service will remain free. In other words, users will not pay to access it.
The second sentence reformulates the same message.
I MEAN: clarify or repair in speech
We meet on Tuesday. I mean, Wednesday.
The speaker corrects a detail. In another context, I mean can explain the intended meaning without correcting a mistake.
These functions can overlap. That is can introduce a restatement too. Do not treat the expressions as three rigid boxes or replace them mechanically. Check whether the following information really preserves, specifies or corrects the intended meaning.
Spot a misleading reformulation
“Some participants preferred the morning. In other words, everyone wanted an early start.” This changes some into everyone. Repair it: Some participants preferred the morning. In other words, an early start suited part of the group.
3. Control the sentence boundary
Markers such as however, moreover and in addition can connect ideas, but a comma alone does not normally join two independent written sentences.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| New sentence | The plan is attractive. However, its cost is uncertain. |
| Semicolon | The plan is attractive; however, its cost is uncertain. |
| Inserted marker | The plan, however, remains expensive. |
In the third example, however is inserted inside one clause, between its subject and verb. The pair of commas marks that insertion. It does not join two clauses.
Compare a conjunction: Although the plan is attractive, its cost is uncertain. Although introduces a dependent clause. You cannot replace it with however while keeping the same sentence structure.
A useful editing test: remove the marker temporarily. If you have two complete clauses, check the boundary between them. A full stop or semicolon may be needed. In speech, use an appropriate pause and intonation instead of reading punctuation names aloud.
4. Match the situation and use restraint
| Situation | A suitable choice | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| A conversation has drifted away | Anyway, we still need to choose a date. | A quick return; it can sound dismissive if used to brush aside a concern. |
| You were interrupted | As I was saying, the first option is cheaper. | Makes the return to your interrupted point explicit. |
| You introduce an initial reason | For a start, the room is easy to reach. | Common in conversation; it may suggest further reasons will follow. |
| A formal report adds support | Moreover, the trial produced consistent results. | More formal than also; the new point must genuinely add support. |
You do not need a marker before every sentence. Repeated words, a clear subject, logical ordering and references such as this change also help the reader follow your argument.
Edit for clarity, not decoration
Overloaded: “Moreover, in addition, the room is accessible. Anyway, furthermore, we should book it.”
Clearer: “The room is accessible. It also fits our budget, so we should book it.”
The revised version keeps two reasons and a conclusion. It removes redundant signals rather than deleting useful reasoning.
C2 check: can you explain what each marker contributes, and remove any that add no useful meaning? Sophistication comes from control, not the number of connectors.
Repair and explain
Try each repair aloud or in writing before opening the answer.
Repair the boundary: “The proposal is useful, however, it needs more detail.”
Check the repair
The proposal is useful; however, it needs more detail. / The proposal is useful. However, it needs more detail.
Useful and needs belong to two independent clauses. However does not allow a comma alone to join them in standard edited prose.
Repair the meaning: “The plan may reduce delays. In other words, delays will disappear.”
Check the repair
The plan may reduce delays. In other words, it could help people wait less.
May expresses possibility. The reformulation must not turn a possible reduction into a guaranteed elimination.
Remove redundant markers: “Moreover, in addition, the course includes recordings.”
Check the repair
In addition, the course includes recordings. / Moreover, the course includes recordings.
Either marker can add a relevant point. Using both together does not create a second relationship.
Mastery quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, read the explanations, then retry any you missed.
Full answer key with explanations
- Specifies the length of the term. It makes the meaning of one term explicit in this setting.
- As I was saying. As I was saying points back to your interrupted contribution.
- The room is suitable; however, it is unavailable. The semicolon joins the clauses, and the comma follows however.
- The second sentence changes the claim. Some and may have become everyone and will, creating a much stronger claim.
- Although the plan is promising, the evidence is limited. Although introduces a dependent clause, followed here by the main clause.
- correcting the stated day. I mean introduces a repair to the previous detail.
- Moreover, the results were consistent across all groups. Moreover adds a supporting point in a relatively formal register.
- The proposal, however, remains expensive. The pair of commas marks however inside a single clause.
- returns to the practical task. In this context, anyway brings the discussion back to the task.
- Keep markers that make a real relationship clearer. Each marker should have an identifiable purpose and fit the surrounding ideas.
Put it into practice
Write 90–120 words recommending a short trial of a new study activity. Include a reason and additional support, one clarification, a limitation, and a conclusion. Then give a 40-second spoken version, changing any wording that feels too formal.
Self-check: Can you name each marker’s job? Preserve the strength of the claim when reformulating. Check the boundaries around however and remove redundant connectors.
Together: Your tutor asks one follow-up question. Answer it, then improve one of your sentences.
Compare with a model
I recommend a four-week speaking trial. A short trial would let us test the schedule before making a longer commitment. In addition, learners could give feedback after each session. Each meeting would include guided practice, that is, a short task with a model and clear instructions. The activity may improve confidence; however, four weeks would not be enough to measure every kind of progress. We should therefore review attendance and learner feedback before deciding what to change. To sum up, the trial would offer useful evidence while keeping the initial commitment manageable.