Discourse Markers

Front

USE: To change the direction of the conversation, but making a link with what has just been said.

Back

Talking of / Speaking of

Front

USE: To introduce something you have just thought of, or to change the subject.

Back

By the way / Incidentally

Front

USE: To introduce additional surprising or unexpected information.

Back

Actually, In fact, As a matter of fact

Front

USE: To introduce the idea that what you said before is less important than what you are saying now, or to return to the main topic after the digression.

Back

In any case / Anyway

Front

USE: To introduce a positive point after some negative information, or to qualify what you have just said or to make it less definite.

Back

At least

Front

USE: To return to a previous subject, often after you have been interrupted.

Back

As I was saying

Front

USE: To generalize.

Back

On the whole

Front

USE: To say that you are taking everything into consideration.

Back

All in all

Front

USE: To introduce the argument that the other person may not have considered.

Back

After all

Front

USE: To introduce an additional point.

Back

Besides