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

Monitoring shared knowledge

109b

Two of the most common discourse markers are you know and (you) see. Both

these markers signal that speakers are sensitive to the needs of their listeners and

are monitoring the state of shared knowledge in the conversation. 

(You) see

projects the assumption that the listener may not have the same state

of knowledge as the speaker:

You see, since I’ve damaged my back in that fall, I find it difficult to climb the

stairs without help.

(speaker cannot assume the listener knows this)

You do it like this. Cut the branches right back, 

see, then cut them into smaller

pieces.

You know

projects the assumption that knowledge is shared or that assertions are

uncontroversial, and reinforces common points of reference, or checks that the

listener is following what is being said:

If you got the earliest train in the morning and then, 

you know, like, got the last

train back at night, it might be cheaper that way.