Discourse Markers

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Sustaining the conversation > Discourse Markers

Pause markers | Contrast markers | Contradiction markers | See also

Discourse markers are words that signal a change of some kind across a conversation, marking where the discourse is taking a different direction. Discourse markers thus form boundaries between one section or subject and another.

Discourse markers may well be conjunctions, as these are natural grammatical connectors between phrases.

Discourse markers may also not be grammatically correct in their use, but in spoken language this is seldom important. They may not even be real words and are used outside of normal syntactical structures.

Pause markers

Sounds such as 'ah', 'er', 'um', are used to fill spaces in a conversation. They signal that the speaker...

...has forgotten what they were about to say and are pausing to gather their thoughts.
...is not sure what to say next and has run out of things to say.
...knows what to express, but is searching for the right words.

Example

I want to...ah...tell you about...er...something that is rather awkward...uh...

Expectation markers

The expectation markers signal 'here comes something different', preparing the listener for a difference of some kind. It may be an alternative view of the current topic or it may be a completely new topic. It may be in agreement with the speaker or may be something that contrasts.

Expectation markers include: actually, in fact, anyway, in addition, I mean, well, you see.

Example

In addition, I would like to include Mick in the team.

Well, you see, I don't know about that.

Actually, that doesn't make sense to me.

Focus markers

Focus markers add emphasis to a part of what is said, effectively saying 'pay attention here, this bit is important'.

Focus markers are often colloquialisms which have special meaning within different social groups include: like, you know, yeah, and I say, in particular.

Example

This is something, listen here, that man is good.

I was going there, like, and, you know, it was cool.

And I say this was the best song tonight.