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Let's start this lesson by explaining what a discourse marker is and why it is important to use it in spoken English. 

A discourse marker is a word or phrase we use to organise spoken language into different parts. 
Here are some examples of discourse markers: basically, apparently, actually, honestly, obviously, otherwise, besides, anyway, and many more. 

You already know and use discourse markers in your own native language. They help you connect and organise what you say as well as change or manage a topic. 

It is important to remember that discourse markers make you sound more natural in a language. 

Now, let's focus on why it is difficult to use them correctly in spoken English. 

Discourse markers are difficult to use accurately because: 

• they lack a specific meaning - they express attitudes and what the speaker is thinking 
• they may not translate easily between languages, and are not used in exactly the same way 
• they can go at the beginning, end or in the middle of a sentence 

In this lesson, we will focus on discourse markers which you can use in everyday English as well as in a speaking part of an exam (IELTS, for example). We have provided really good examples with vocabulary and structures used in C1 and C2 levels of English. 


Well 
We can use 'well' as a discourse marker at the beginning of what we say. By doing so, we show that we are thinking about the question that we have been asked. 

Examples: 

• ​'Can you tell me about your hometown?' 'My hometown, well, I grew up in a small town in the north part of China.' 
• 'Do you think that climate change is affecting the lives of local people in Brazil and how? 'Well, I think the main problem has been the effect of drought on food supplies. The majority of people there are farmers and they have already lost animals and crops. Farming is essential in an area like that.' 
• 'What do you think about Prague?' 'Well, I think it's a beautiful city. It's actually on my bucket list. I want to visit it one day because I'm interested in history and there are a lot of places there I would like to explore and learn more about.' 
• Well, I remember I didn't have a map of the city when I arrived there, so I didn't know where to go first. 
• Well, I've always been fascinated by plants and animals. 

Of course 
It is often used to show that what you are saying is obvious or already known. 

Example: 

• I'd never really thought about exercise and keeping fit until a couple of months ago. I was in a hurry and I had to run to catch an early morning bus - just a couple of hundred metres. By the time I got to the bus stop, I was completely exhausted. On the bus I started thinking that I didn't really do much with my free time - just reading magazines, watching movies and sitting at my computer for hours. I realised that it was time to take up an activity. I started running in the local park - just a few hundred metres at first, and gradually building up. Now I run more, a few kilometres a day. Of course, that takes up quite a lot of time, but I certainly feel a lot fitter than before. 

Actually 
​We use it to indicate a new topic of conversation or a change or contrast in what is being talked about. We also use actually to give more detail about a topic. 

Examples: 

• He was actually very helpful. 
• The restaurant itself is actually not that old, but what it's built on is over a century old. 
• I actually read a lot about food and health, and what I should be eating. 
• 'What are your plans for the future? What do you want to do after university?' 'Actually, I'd like to go into teaching.' (go into something = to join an organization, especially in order to have a career in it) [go into teaching / politics / journalism, etc.] 
• Some parents will actually discourage their children from taking up a sport on the basis that they might get distracted from their studies. 
• 'How much recycling do people in your country do?' 'I think that recycling is getting better in my country. Actually, in the town where I live we have a very strong recycling programme.' 

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I mean 
As we talk, we listen to what we are saying. We often rephrase or change the information depending on our listener. We use discourse markers to make what we say clearer for the listener. 
We can use words and phrases such as well, I mean, in other words, the thing is, what I mean is, etc. 

Example: 

• 'Why do people like shopping during sales?' 'I think people tend to look for some kind of bargain because they can save some money, and get what they want at the same time. This is probably the main reason. To be honest, another reason could be the feeling of following the crowd. I mean, during promotion periods people usually head to the shops because they don't want to miss this opportunity and we immediately have an urge to do the same. It feels like a competition for a number of certain products at lower prices. I think those are the two main reasons. 

Besides 
It means 'in addition to', 'also' or 'apart from'.  
We use this word when we want to add more information to support what we are saying as well as give another reason or argument for something.  

Examples: 

• 'What are the main advantages of online shopping?' 'I think one big advantage is that shopping on the Internet tends to be cheaper and that's a huge attraction when it comes to prices and saving money. Besides that, using the Internet is more convenient, because online shopping stores are available 24/7, all year round. We don't need to travel or spend time in shopping centres, because online shopping is much quicker and saves us energy. Another advantage is the ability to compare products and prices. We can easily determine which online store offers the most affordable item as well as whether they have it in stock.' 
• My best friend and I have lots of things in common besides music. 
• Besides working as a TV host, he is also a model. 
• I don't have any other family members in the city besides my parents. 

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons: 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport (We give answers to five questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient (We give answers to six questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist (We give answers to six questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet 


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In this lesson, we are going to focus on some commonly used phrases in spoken English. 
These are typical expressions used by native English speakers. Read the examples to learn how you can use them in your everyday life. 

Some of these phrases are really advanced (C2 level of English).
For example: By all means. / Do your own thing. / Call it a day.  

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You can say that again! (Informal) 
We use it when we strongly agree with what someone has said. 

Examples: 

• 'I think this film is boring.' 'You can say that again!' 
• 'I was so excited about coming to this city, but now that I'm here I realise there isn't much to do.' 'You can say that again!' 
• 'I still can't believe we won the competition.' 'Yeah, you can say that again.' 
• 'I thought the weather would be nice and sunny during our beach holiday. It's been raining for two days already.' 'You can say that again.' 

​Don't ask! (Informal) 
It is a way of saying that you don't want to talk or think about something because it was not good, pleasant, enjoyable, etc. 

Examples: 

• 'Hey, how was your exam today?' 'Don't ask!' (= The exam didn't go as expected. The person may pass the exam, but probably not with a high score.) 
• 'How was your first day at school?' 'Don't ask!' 
• 'How was your day at work?' 'Don't ask!' 

Synonyms: How long have you got? | Don't remind me. 


​Don't mention it! (Polite) 
You can use it as a polite answer to someone who has just thanked you for something.
It's a way to accept someone's thanks. 

Examples: 

• 'Thanks for your help.' 'Don't mention it!' 
• 'Thank you for inviting me to that event.' 'Don't mention it!' 

Synonyms: You're welcome. | No problem. | Not at all. | My pleasure. (Polite) 

So instead of saying 'You're welcome' all the time, you can use the expression above. 


Don't mind someone. (Don't mind me/him/her/them.) 
You can use it to tell someone to ignore someone else and to continue with what they are doing. 
It can also be used to say sorry for someone else's behaviour. 

Examples: 

• Please carry on with your conversation. Don't mind me. 
• Don't mind me. I'm just sorting out some files here. 
• Don't mind Sarah. She can be quite stubborn at times. 

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Bear with me. (Phrasal verb) 
This phrase is a polite way of asking someone to be patient while you do or finish something. 

Examples: 

• 'Hey, Mike, is the presentation ready yet?' 'Bear with me. I have a few more slides to add.' 
• 'Is my car repaired yet?' 'Bear with me. I will have finished in an hour.' 
• My Internet connection is not so good at the moment. Bear with me. I'll change the Wi-Fi network. 

By all means. 
You can use this phrase to politely agree with someone, give permission or say 'Yes'. 

Examples: 

• 'Can I invite some friends too?' 'By all means.' 
• 'Can I open the window?' 'By all means.' 
• 'May I make a suggestion?' 'Yes, by all means.' 
• 'Could I have a glass of water, please?' 'By all means. I'll get it for you.' 

Synonyms: Of course. | Definitely. | Certainly. | Please do. 


I see what you mean. / I see your point. / I know what you mean. 
These phrases are used to tell someone that you understand what they are saying, even though you might not agree. 

Examples: 

• 'We need to promote the product in the summer. That's the peak season.' 'Yeah, I see what you mean.' 
• 'We lost that potential customer. We should have offered a discount at the beginning.' 'I see your point, but I don't think there's anything we can do at the moment.' 
• 'He's so hard to talk.' 'I know what you mean.' 

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I know the feeling. 
It is used in spoken English to show that you understand how someone feels about something. You show sympathy. 

Examples: 

• 'I met an old friend today and I felt embarrassed because I couldn't remember her name.'  'Yeah, I know the feeling.' 
• 'She's texting me all day every day. It's driving me mad.' 'I know the feeling.' 
• 'Sometimes I feel like we shouldn't be together. He can be quite cold and distant. It's like he doesn't even care about me.' 'Yeah, I know the feeling. I hope you clear things up.' 

clear something <-> up (phrasal verb) - solve or explain something 


Do your own thing. (Informal) 
This phrase is used to tell someone to do what they want to do, without worrying what other people think or want. 

Examples: 

• Do your own thing and don't care what anyone else thinks. 
• Ignore them and do your own thing. 
• If that makes you happy then do your own thing. 

Call it a day. (Informal) 
You can say that when you decide to stop working, especially because you have done enough or you are tired. 

Examples: 

• You've been studying hard. I think you should call it a day. 
• I'm getting a bit tired now. Let's call it a day. 

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