Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

From utterance to discourse | 189

---

Response tokens also frequently occur at the beginning of longer responses,

typically as a preface to a comment on the preceding utterance:

[colleagues at work]

A: You can make it, you can meet me later if you want.

B: Fine. Whatever. I’ve got nothing new.

Premodification  

95b

Many response tokens may be premodified by intensifying adverbs which add

further emphasis:

[woman talking about giving birth]

A: Dick was very excited cos at one point they asked for hot towels.

B: Oh. 

A: Just like the movies. So he skipped off down the corridor to get the hot

towels.

B: Oh jolly good.

[discussing tenancy problems in rented accommodation]

A: Isn’t there something in your tenancy agreement about it? You have a

written agreement don’t you?

B: Most definitely.