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Discourse Markers

This document provides information on different types of discourse markers in English including result, reason, purpose, and contrast. It defines and gives examples of common discourse markers used to indicate each type. For result, it discusses so, as a result, therefore, and consequently. For reason, it covers because, as, since, because of, due to, and owing to. For purpose, it outlines to, in order to, so as to, so that, and in case. For contrast, it describes but, yet, however, nevertheless, even though, though, despite, and in spite of. The document includes exercises for readers to practice identifying and using different discourse markers correctly in sentences.

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Vicky Rodríguez
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356 views10 pages

Discourse Markers

This document provides information on different types of discourse markers in English including result, reason, purpose, and contrast. It defines and gives examples of common discourse markers used to indicate each type. For result, it discusses so, as a result, therefore, and consequently. For reason, it covers because, as, since, because of, due to, and owing to. For purpose, it outlines to, in order to, so as to, so that, and in case. For contrast, it describes but, yet, however, nevertheless, even though, though, despite, and in spite of. The document includes exercises for readers to practice identifying and using different discourse markers correctly in sentences.

Uploaded by

Vicky Rodríguez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Discourse

markers
Types of discourse markers:

01 02
Result Reason

03 04
Purpose Contrast
Result
1. SO: most COMMON and INFORMAL way of introducing a result
2. As a result, therefore, and consequently: more FORMAL and often used at the
beginning of a sentence or clause.

● Therefore and consequently: can be used before a MAIN VERB

EXAMPLES:

I have a job interview next week, so I’ve bought myself a suit!


It had snowed all night. As a result, the airport was closed until 11.00 a.m.
Many people were left homeless as a result of the earthquake.
We regret that you do not have the necessary qualifications and therefore / consequently
we are unable to offer you the job.
She was a bright and eager student and, consequently, did well in school.
This view is subjective and therefore open to disagreement.
Reason

1. Because, as, and since (more formal) introduce clauses giving a reason
AS and SINCE are often used at the beginning of a sentence
We use BECAUSE to answer a WHY…? question

2. Because of, due to, and owing to also express reason and are followed by a NOUN, a
GERUND, or THE FACT THAT + CLAUSE.
DUE TO and OWING TO more formal than because of.

I have stopped writing because / as / since she never answers me.


Why did your boss resign? Because his wife was ill.
The plane was late because of the fog.
Flight 341 has been delayed due to / owing to adverse weather conditions.
Due to the fact her boss refused to give her a promotion, she decided to resign.
Because of her stubbornness she was left with no friends.
Purpose
1. To, in order to and so as to introduce a clause of purpose and are followed by an
INFINITIVE. (To is the most informal)
2. For negative purpose we use so as not to or in order not to.
3. You can also use SO (THAT) + CAN / COULD + VERB or WILL / WOULD + VERB to
express purpose. (that can be left out in informal English)

Use SO THAT when there is a change of subject in the clause of purpose


4. We use in case + a clause when we do sth to be ready for future situations / problems
or to avoid them.

I did a language course to / in order to / so as to improve my English.


She closed the door quickly so as not to / in order no to wake the baby.
They moved to London so (that) they could see their grandchildren more often.
She put a blanket over the baby so (that) he wouldn’t be cold.
I’m not going to tell Ann in case she tells everyone else.
Contrast
1. But is the most common and informal way of introducing contrast.
2. Yet is used in the same way, but it is + formal / literary
3. However and Nevertheless are usually used at the beginning of the sentence and
are usually followed by a comma
Nevertheless (or nonetheless) is + formal /literary than however

4. Even though is more emphatic than although. Though is + common in informal


speech.
5. After in spite of and despite use a gerund, a noun, or the fact that + clause.

Agnes was attracted to the stranger, yet something in her head was telling her not to get
close to him.
It’s a really good idea. However, it may be too expensive.
We enjoyed the film, although / even though / though it was long.
In spite of being 85, she still travels all around the world. / Despite her age… Despite the
fact that she’s 85….
Let’s practice!
● Choose the correct word or phrase in brackets to fill the space.

1. (because / because of)


We stayed inside ________________________ the storm.
2. (since / because of)
I wanted to stay longer ________________________ I was really enjoying the party.
3. (as / due to)
Amanda stayed at home ________________________ her illness.
4. (due to / as)
Her lateness was ________________________ a terrible traffic jam.
5. (since / owning to)
________________________ flights are cheaper in the winter, we decided to travel then.
6. (as / because of)
________________________ she hated cats, she wasn’t happy when her husband bought three.
7. (owing to / as)
John didn’t go to work ________________________ his illness.
8. (because / due to)
________________________ Lucy was very tired, she went to bed early.
9. (because / owing to)
________________________ his late night, John missed his train
10. (owing to / because)
________________________its high price, we didn’t rent the flat.
● Choose ‘however’, ‘although’ or ‘despite’:
1. ___________ the rain, we still went to the park.
2. ___________ it was raining, we still went to the park.
3. It was raining. ___________, we still went to the park.
4. John bought the watch, ___________ the fact that it was expensive.
5. John bought the watch. ___________, it was expensive.
6. ___________ it was expensive, John bought the watch.
7. I finished the homework. It, ___________, wasn’t easy.
8. I finished the homework, ___________ it wasn’t easy.
9. ___________ the fact that it wasn’t easy, I finished the homework.
10. She went for a long walk, ___________ being cold.

● Choose the correct expression of purpose.


Concentrate on your exercise ……………………... make any mistakes. (so as not to, to, so that)
You have to wake up …………………….be on time. (to, in order not to, so that)
You have to register ……………………participate in the forum. (in order to, so as not to, so that)
She left work early ……………………be at home when he arrives. (so as not to, to, so that)
Ships carry life boats …………………… the crew can escape when the ship sinks. (so as not to, so
as to, so that)
I will go to university ……………………continue my studies.(in order to, to, so that)
He exercises regularly ……………………be overweight. (in order to, in order not to, so that)
Thanks!

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