Grammar
Discourse markers: guide a conversation naturally
A clear conversation has signposts. If you say, "Well, the train was late. Anyway, I made it to the meeting.", well prepares the listener for your answer, and anyway brings the conversation back to the main point.
Use discourse markers to show how one part of a conversation relates to the next.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Well, actually, I can come on Thursday. /wel, ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, aɪ kæn kʌm ɒn ˈθɜːz.deɪ/
The short answer
Choose a discourse marker for the job it does in the conversation. Use markers such as well to begin a response, actually to correct or clarify, however to show contrast, and anyway to return to a main point or move on.
Actually, I sent the form on Monday, not Tuesday.
Why it works: Actually signals that the speaker is correcting a detail that was understood differently.
5 more examples
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Well, I can meet on Thursday, but I am busy on Friday.
Well gives the speaker a natural way to begin an answer that includes a limit.
Not this:I can meet on Thursday,
butI am busy on Friday. What changes: The sentence is still clear without well, but it sounds more direct and less like a spoken response. -
Actually, the workshop starts at nine thirty.
Actually corrects or clarifies information that may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Not this:The workshop
starts at nine thirty. What changes: Without actually, the speaker gives information but does not signal a correction. -
The apartment is small. However, it is close to the station.
However introduces a point that contrasts with the first point.
Not this:The apartment is small,
soit is close to the station. What changes: So suggests a result. Size does not cause the apartment to be near the station. -
I understand your concern. On the other hand, the new plan costs less.
On the other hand introduces another side of the decision.
Not this:I understand your concern.
For example, the new plan costs less. What changes: For example gives an illustration, while on the other hand balances a different consideration. -
The cafe was crowded. Anyway, did you find a table?
Anyway moves past the side detail and brings the listener to the question that matters now.
Not this:The cafe was crowded.
Therefore, did you find a table? What changes: Therefore states a logical result and does not fit a conversational change of focus.
Read the full guide
Listen for the move a speaker wants to make before choosing a marker. Is the speaker adding information, changing direction, disagreeing politely, or closing the topic? The marker should make that move clear. A useful marker sounds natural because it fits the moment, not because it appears in every sentence.
Choose the conversational move first
Do not choose a discourse marker only because it is familiar. First ask what the next sentence does. A reply may need a pause before an answer, a correction, an added point, or a change of topic. That purpose tells you which marker can help.
Well, I have not decided yet.
Well makes this sound like a considered spoken reply. The main information is that the speaker has not decided.
You need to correct the time someone mentioned. Which marker is more useful: actually or anyway?
Use actually. It can introduce a correction or a more precise detail.
Open a response without sounding abrupt
Well is common when you are about to answer a question, especially when the answer needs explanation, is uncertain, or contains a small problem. It gives you a brief bridge into the answer. Do not use it before every sentence.
Well, I would prefer the earlier train if there are seats.
The speaker has a preference, but it depends on whether seats are available. Well prepares the listener for that qualified answer.
Complete the reply: ____ , I need to check my calendar before I say yes.
Well fits because the speaker is beginning a careful reply.
Correct and clarify with actually
Use actually when you need to adjust what the listener may believe. The adjustment can be small. You might correct a date, explain a surprising fact, or say that the situation is different from an earlier impression. Tone matters: a calm actually can be helpful, while a sharp one can sound impatient.
Actually, I have already spoken to the manager.
The marker tells the listener that the speaker is changing the assumption that no conversation has happened yet.
A colleague thinks you work from home every day, but you work there only on Wednesdays. Which marker can introduce your correction?
Actually can introduce the correction: Actually, I work from home only on Wednesdays.
Show contrast between two points
Use however when the next point contrasts with the earlier one. Use on the other hand when you want to consider another side of a choice or situation. Both markers help the listener see that the second point changes how to understand the first point.
The job offers flexible hours. However, the commute is long.
Flexible hours are an advantage, while a long commute is a disadvantage. However marks that contrast.
We could repair the printer. On the other hand, replacing it may save time later.
On the other hand introduces a competing option in the decision.
Move on or return to the main point
Anyway is useful after a side comment, interruption, or small disagreement. It can take the conversation back to the earlier subject or help the speaker close that subject. The word does not prove that one idea causes another. Use so or therefore when you need to show a result instead.
Anyway, where were we before the phone rang?
Anyway tells the listener that the speaker wants to return to the interrupted conversation.
Choose the best marker to return from a brief story to your original question: anyway or however?
Use anyway. It signals that the speaker is moving back to the main topic.
Use markers sparingly and match the register
A few well-chosen markers make speech easier to follow. Too many can interrupt the message. In a formal email or report, however may suit the style better than well or anyway. In an everyday conversation, shorter markers usually sound more natural than a long chain of formal connectors.
The deadline is close; however, we still have time to check the figures.
However works here because the sentence has a formal written tone and contrasts the close deadline with the remaining time.
In a casual reply to a friend, which opening is usually more natural: Well, I am not sure or Nevertheless, I am not sure?
Well, I am not sure is usually more natural in a casual spoken reply.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose a discourse marker by the move you need to make. Use one to begin a response, correct a detail, add a contrasting point, show a result, or return to the main topic. Keep the marker when it helps the listener follow the conversation, and leave it out when it adds no useful signal.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Discourse markers: guide a conversation naturally"
What is a discourse marker?
A discourse marker is a word or short phrase that shows how a speaker's next point relates to the conversation. It can introduce a response, show contrast, correct a detail, or move to another topic.
Well, I can meet on Thursday, but I am busy on Friday.
When should I use well in conversation?
Use well to begin a spoken answer that needs thought, includes a limit, or may not be the answer the listener expects. For example, Well, I can help after lunch sounds like a considered reply.
I can meet on Thursday, but I am busy on Friday.
Does actually mean currently?
Usually, no. In conversation, actually often corrects or clarifies an assumption. For example, Actually, the office opens at eight corrects the time someone may have mentioned. Use currently when you mean at this time.
Actually, the workshop starts at nine thirty.
What is the difference between however and on the other hand?
However introduces a contrast with the point just made. On the other hand introduces another side of a choice or situation. You might say the room is expensive; however, it is quiet, then consider another option on the other hand.
The workshop starts at nine thirty.
Can I use discourse markers in formal writing?
Yes, but match the marker to the register. However can work in a formal email or report. Conversational markers such as well and anyway are more common in speech and informal messages.
The apartment is small. However, it is close to the station.