This video is about discourse markers. They are words or phrases like anyway, right, okay, to begin with, etc., that are used when you start a conversation or even when you finish one. Thus, we use them to connect, organize and manage what we say or write and sometimes to express attitude. The lesson is mainly designated for elementary students who wish to study or review English grammar and vocabulary. However, it would also help students who are at an advanced level and wish to brush up on English grammar.
Mr. P. is a Canadian English Teacher/Coach from Toronto, Canada, who has been teaching English since 1997. He is a certified English teacher specializing in EFL, ESL, TOESL, TOEFL, #IELTS, KET, PET, CAE, FCE, and CPE. He taught English to adults in Rome for 20 years and became an Honorary Fellow at UNITELMA Sapienza University in Rome in 2015.
Hello everyone! How are you today? This is Marc.
So, I've decided to give you another mini lesson.
To begin with, let me just talk about a point in grammar that you'll find
very useful when having a conversation with someone.
In this lesson, I'll talk about discourse markers.
Discourse markers are words like
to begin with, so, right, etc.
that are used at the start of a conversation
or at the end of a conversation.
Thus, we use them to connect, to manage,
organize what we say or write
and sometimes to express attitude.
So, let's just look at my two introductory examples.
So, I've decided to give you another mini lesson.
So, in this case, is the discourse marker.
So, it's used when we want to introduce a new thought, a new idea.
So, my second example was
to begin with, let me just talk about a point in grammar
that you'll find useful when having a conversation with someone.
In this case, to begin with, is the discourse marker.
And we use this expression at the beginning of a new idea.
So, to introduce a new idea.
Let's just look at other examples with an informal dialogue.
The discourse markers are in pink.
Hey, what are you doing this weekend?
Well, I don't actually have any plans.
How about you?
You see, I was wondering if you wanted to join us for lunch.
Sure, I'd like that.
Great, that's a plan then.
Be at my place at midday.
See you then.
You bet.
We use hey to get the attention of the listener.
Well, it's used at the start of what we want to say
and to introduce a remark.
Actually, here, it's used to show contrast.
You see, it's used to share knowledge with a listener.
Sure, it's used to show agreement.
Great is used to express enthusiasm.
You bet is used to emphasize a statement.
As you can see from the dialogue,
discourse markers are very important to show our feelings
towards a statement in a dialogue, obviously.
But discourse markers can also be used in these situations.
To say something in another way.
To change topic.
To start a conversation.
To end a conversation.
To share knowledge.
To give an answer.
To show attitude.
And to sound less direct.
Let's just list other discourse markers.
Mind you, for a start, moreover, on the other hand,
anyway, firstly, and in general, to sum up,
I mean, you know, got it, etc, etc.
So now, let's recap.
Discourse markers are words like right, okay, to begin with, etc,
that are used at the beginning of a conversation
or to end a conversation.
Thus, we use them to connect, to manage,
to organize what we say or write.
And sometimes to express feelings, obviously.
Anyway, that's all this time.
Actually, why don't you write a sentence under this video
with a discourse marker, one or two discourse markers.
I hope you enjoyed the lesson and I see you next time.
Have a great day and don't forget to share.
Bye-bye.
