Discourse Markers

C1 · AdvancedSpoken English Grammar

Well, I'm not sure. Anyway, back to my point. I mean, it's complicated. — the traffic signals of conversation.

What you'll learn

  • A discourse marker organizes the FLOW of conversation rather than adding new factual content — it manages hesitation, topic shifts, and clarification
  • 'Well' often signals hesitation or a softened, less direct response, especially before disagreement
  • 'You know' engages the listener and often introduces a personal opinion or shared understanding
  • 'I mean' introduces a clarification or rephrasing of what was just said
  • 'Anyway' and 'right, so' signal moving on — either returning to an earlier topic after a digression, or moving the conversation forward
  • 'Actually' signals a correction or a contrast with what was expected

The traffic signals of conversation

Discourse markers don't add information to a sentence — they manage the conversation itself, like traffic signals: they tell the listener when the speaker is hesitating, clarifying, changing topic, or returning to an earlier point. Removing them entirely would leave the same facts but sound abrupt and unnaturally blunt.

"Well, I'm not sure that's true."
"Anyway, back to what I was saying."

Hesitation and clarification: 'well' and 'I mean'

'Well' often buys the speaker a moment before a hesitant or softened response, especially when disagreeing. 'I mean' introduces a clarification, rephrasing what was just said to be more precise or more honest.

"Well, I'm not sure that's true."
"I mean, it's not a big deal, but still."

Managing the topic: 'anyway,' 'right, so,' and 'actually'

'Anyway' signals returning to an earlier topic after a digression. 'Right, so' moves the conversation forward to a new point. 'Actually' signals a correction or contrast with what was expected or previously said.

"Anyway, back to what I was saying."
"Right, so what's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Actually, I changed my mind."

Watch out

✗So, you know, I was, you know, thinking, you know, maybe we should, you know, leave.
✓So, I was thinking maybe we should leave.

Repeating the same discourse marker constantly (especially 'you know' or 'like') becomes a distracting verbal habit rather than a natural organizing device.

✗Well, I mean, actually, the results were pretty significant, you know. (in a formal research report)
✓The results were significant.

Discourse markers are features of spoken conversation — formal writing states things directly, without conversational filler.

Real life — A meandering catch-up conversation

"So, how was the trip? Actually, wait, tell me about work first."

"Well, work has been kind of crazy, honestly."

"Yeah, I mean, that sounds stressful. Anyway, go on."

"Right, so, the trip was amazing, actually — way better than I expected."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Identify the function

'Well, I'm not sure that's true.' 'Well' here mainly signals...

Exercise 2 · Identify the function

'You know, I've been thinking about this a lot.' 'You know' here functions to...

Exercise 3 · Identify the function

'I mean, it's not a big deal, but still.' 'I mean' here signals...

Exercise 4 · Identify the function

'Anyway, back to what I was saying...' 'Anyway' signals...

Exercise 5 · Identify the function

'Right, so what's the plan for tomorrow?' 'Right, so' here signals...

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct marker

Which discourse marker most naturally signals a topic shift back after going off track?

Exercise 7 · Identify the function

'Actually, I changed my mind.' 'Actually' here signals...

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct explanation

Discourse markers like 'well,' 'you know,' and 'I mean' mainly help to...

Exercise 9 · Complete the discourse marker

Complete a natural discourse marker signaling hesitation before a possibly unwelcome answer: '___, I'm not sure I agree.'

Exercise 10 · Complete the discourse marker

Complete a discourse marker returning to an earlier topic after a digression: '___, back to what I was saying.'

Exercise 11 · Sort the phrases into groups

Well,
Anyway,
You know,
I mean,
I completely agree.
It's Tuesday.
The capital is Paris.
Two plus two is four.

0 / 8 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

'So, anyway, what do you think?' combines two discourse markers to...

You learned

  • A discourse marker organizes conversation flow rather than adding new facts.
  • 'Well' signals hesitation; 'I mean' introduces a clarification.
  • 'Anyway' returns to an earlier topic; 'right, so' moves the conversation forward.
  • 'Actually' signals a correction or contrast with expectations.
  • Common in speech; avoid them (and their repetition) in formal writing.

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