Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
Advanced discourse markers organise talk and signal your attitude — mind you, having said that, as such, anyway. They sit outside the clause and are chosen to match the register, formal or casual, of what surrounds them.
Level: C1. You can already link ideas with however, therefore and although. Advanced discourse markers do something extra: they manage the conversation itself and show how you feel about what you are saying.
The rule
A discourse marker is a word or phrase that organises a stretch of talk or writing, or shows the speaker’s attitude, rather than adding new facts to the clause. It sits outside the grammar of the sentence — you could remove it and the sentence would still be complete: (Mind you,) she never actually apologised.
At C1 the useful markers do three jobs. Organising markers manage the flow: right, so, now, anyway, as I was saying. Stance markers show how you judge the content: frankly, to be honest, admittedly, clearly, apparently. Concession and counter-point markers push back on what was just said: mind you, having said that, then again, still, that said. Some markers are mainly interactive, checking or softening contact with the listener: you know, I mean, sort of, if you like.
The biggest C1 skill is matching the marker to the register — how formal the situation is. Having said that and mind you are natural in speech and informal writing; nevertheless, as such and in sum belong to essays and reports. Using a casual marker in an exam essay, or a stiff connector in a chat, both sound wrong.
In writing, most discourse markers are set off by commas: As such, the plan was abandoned. In speech, a small pause and a change in intonation do the same work.
Markers by function
| Function | Markers | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Organising / sequencing | so, right, now, anyway, to begin with | neutral to informal |
| Resuming / returning | anyway, as I was saying, where was I | informal, spoken |
| Stance / attitude | frankly, to be honest, admittedly, apparently | neutral |
| Concession (push-back) | mind you, having said that, then again, still | informal to neutral |
| Formal concession | nevertheless, that said, even so | formal |
| Summarising / consequence | as such, in sum, all in all, so | formal to neutral |
| Interactive / softening | you know, I mean, sort of, if you like | informal, spoken |
Example sentences
- The figures look weak. Mind you, it was a difficult year.mind you adds a concession that softens the first statement.
- I think she is right. Having said that, I would still check the data.having said that signals a qualification of your own claim.
- The road was closed; as such, we had to turn back.as such means as a result of that; it is fairly formal.
- Anyway, let us get back to the main point.anyway resumes the topic after a digression.
- Frankly, I did not expect the project to succeed.frankly flags an honest, personal opinion.
- The hotel was lovely. Then again, it was very expensive.then again introduces a balancing second thought.
- To be honest, I have not read the full report.to be honest softens an admission.
- Admittedly, the method has some weaknesses.admittedly concedes a point, common in academic writing.
- So, where do we go from here?so opens or re-opens a discussion.
- The results were poor. Nevertheless, the team learned a lot.nevertheless is the formal version of but still.
- It is a small flat. Still, it is close to work.still introduces a positive point despite a drawback.
- Right, let us start the meeting.right marks the start of an activity, mostly spoken.
- I mean, it is not a bad idea, just an expensive one.I mean rephrases or clarifies what you just said.
- The data are, you know, a bit old now.you know is an interactive softener, informal only.
- That said, the conclusion still holds.that said concedes the previous point but keeps your position.
- All in all, it was a successful launch.all in all sums up before a final judgement.
- Apparently, the decision has already been made.apparently marks information you heard but cannot confirm.
- Now, there is one more thing we should consider.now introduces a new stage in the argument.
- The plan is risky. Even so, it is worth trying.even so is a formal concession, close to nevertheless.
- It was, if you like, a controlled experiment.if you like softens a label you are proposing.
Common mistakes
- ❌ In my essay: You know, the economy was weak, anyway it recovered. → ✅ The economy was weak; nevertheless, it recovered. You know and anyway are too casual for formal writing.
- ❌ Having said that the weather was bad we stayed in. → ✅ Having said that, the weather was bad, so we stayed in. As a marker, having said that is set off and points back to a previous idea; do not run it into the clause.
- ❌ As such the results, were surprising. → ✅ As such, the results were surprising. The comma goes after the marker, not inside the clause.
- ❌ Mind you that he never called. → ✅ Mind you, he never called. Mind you is not followed by that; it stands alone with a comma.
- ❌ Text to a friend: Nevertheless, the pizza was cold lol. → ✅ Still, the pizza was cold. Nevertheless is too stiff for a casual message.
- ❌ Anyway, anyway, so basically, I mean, it was fine. → ✅ Anyway, it was fine. Stacking fillers weakens your point; one marker is enough.
A short conversation
A: So, how did the interview go? B: Not badly. Mind you, they asked some tough questions. A: Having said that, you were well prepared. B: True. Anyway, I should hear back by Friday. A: Right — fingers crossed, then.
Usage notes
- Spoken vs written. Many markers exist in both, but the frequency flips: so, right, you know and I mean dominate speech; nevertheless, as such, moreover and in sum dominate formal writing. Know which column a marker lives in.
- Position. Most markers go at the start of the clause, but some also fit in the middle or end: It was late, though. The plan, admittedly, was risky.
- Punctuation. In writing, use a comma after a front marker (Frankly, …) and a pair of commas around a mid-clause one (The plan, mind you, was risky).
- Do not overuse. Markers guide the reader, but too many make writing sound chatty or unsure. In an essay, a handful of well-placed formal markers is plenty.
Compared with…
- Ellipsis and substitution is the other way fluent speakers keep talk efficient: instead of a marker, they leave words out or replace them (I might do, me neither, so do I). Markers add a signpost; ellipsis removes repetition. See Ellipsis and Substitution.
- Hedging and cautious language overlaps with stance markers: apparently and to be honest already soften a claim, and hedging extends this with modals and adverbs (may, seemingly, to some extent). See Hedging and Cautious Language.
- Prerequisite — contrast linkers. Markers such as mind you and then again build on formal contrast connectors like whereas and while. See Advanced Contrast Linkers.
- Prerequisite — result linkers. As such and so overlap with result connectors like consequently and hence. See Advanced Result Linkers.
Quick recap before you practise.
Practice
Discourse markers practice
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
Hint: one word, informal, returns to the main point
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Anyway — Anyway (or So/Right/Now) resumes after a digression.
3 Put the words in order (a concession marker first).
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Mind you , it was expensive . — Mind you, + comma + clause: the marker sits outside the sentence.
4 Match each marker to its function.
- mind you
- frankly
- as such
- anyway
Show answer
- mind you → concession
- frankly → stance / honesty
- as such → consequence
- anyway → resuming the topic
Markers are grouped by the job they do, not their meaning as ordinary words.
Hint: two words meaning as a result
Show answer
as such — As such (or consequently) marks the result formally.
Quiz
Discourse markers quiz
12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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having said that — Having said that qualifies or pushes back on a previous point.
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you know — You know is an interactive, spoken softener, not for formal writing.
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as such — As such marks the consequence in a formal register.
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Softens with a concession — Mind you introduces a qualifying, concessive point.
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Frankly, I disagree. — A front stance marker takes a comma: Frankly, …
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Anyway — Anyway returns the talk to the main point.
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Mind you that he never called. — Mind you is not followed by that; it stands alone with a comma.
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apparently — Apparently marks something you heard but cannot confirm.
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Still, it was cosy. — Still fits a relaxed register; the others sound stiff in chat.
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Joining two clauses as a conjunction — A marker comments from outside; it does not link clauses like a conjunction.
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All in all — All in all / In sum / Overall sum up before a final judgement.
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nevertheless / as such — Nevertheless and as such belong to formal writing.
Recap cheat-sheet
| Job | Marker | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| organise the flow | so, right, now, anyway | mostly spoken |
| show your stance | frankly, admittedly, apparently | neutral |
| push back (concede) | mind you, having said that, still | informal to neutral |
| formal concession | nevertheless, that said, even so | essays, reports |
| mark a result | as such, in sum, all in all | formal to neutral |
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Grammar path
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
- 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
- 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
- 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
- 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
- 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
- 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
- 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
- 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
- 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
- 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
- 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
- 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
- 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
- 14 Can and Can't for Ability
- 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
- 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
- 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
- 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
- 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
- 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
- 21 How Much vs How Many
- 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
- 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
- 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
- 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
- 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
- 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
- 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
- 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
- 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
- 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
- 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
- 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
- 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
- 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
- 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions
- 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
- 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
- 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
- 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
- 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
- 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
- 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
- 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
- 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
- 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
- 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
- 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
- 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
- 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
- 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
- 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
- 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
- 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
- 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
- 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
- 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
- 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
- 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
- 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
- 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
- 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
- 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
- 64 Reported Questions
- 65 Reported Commands and Requests
- 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
- 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
- 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
- 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
- 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
- 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
- 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
- 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
- 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
- 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
- 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
- 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
- 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
- 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
- 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
- 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
- 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
- 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
- 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
- 85 Mixed Conditionals
- 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
- 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
- 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
- 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
- 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
- 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
- 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
- 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
- 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
- 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
- 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
- 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
- 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
- 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
- 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however
- 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
- 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
- 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
- 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
- 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
- 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
- 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
- 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
- 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
- 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
- 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
- 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
- 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
- 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
- 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
- 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written) You are here
- 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
- 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
- 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
- 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
- 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
- 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
- 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
- 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
- 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)