Discourse Markers
Choose a marker for the relationship you actually need to signal and for the register you are writing in. Some markers are common in conversation, others in formal prose; some are conjunctions, some adverbials, and some fixed expressions.
Discourse markers help readers or listeners follow how one part of discourse relates to another. They can signal sequencing, contrast, response, reformulation, topic movement, stance, or interaction, but they are not one grammatical class and should not be treated as interchangeable transition words.
Key details
Further guidance
Grammar
A discourse marker can be an adverbial phrase, conjunction, clause, or fixed expression, so punctuation and position depend on the item’s grammar.
Organization
Markers such as first, next, finally, or in summary can make sequence and structure explicit when the reader needs that guidance.
Relation
Contrast, result, reformulation, and concession require different signals; do not choose a marker merely because it sounds formal.
Spoken Vs Written
Items such as well, right, okay, and you know are especially common in interaction, while formal writing often favors different devices.
Worked Example
“The trial was small. Nevertheless, the pattern was consistent” uses nevertheless to signal concession; replacing it with therefore would change the logical relation.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Discourse markers (so, right, okay) (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Current grammar guidance defines discourse markers as words or phrases that connect, organize and manage spoken or written discourse and shows register-sensitive uses.
- Discourse marker (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Current dictionary guidance confirms the organizing-discourse function and supports keeping discourse markers distinct from a simple transition-word list.