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

Spoken features of discourse markers

Prosodic information can sometimes help to indicate differences between

discourse markers and other parts of speech or clausal functions. For example, if

the word or phrase occupies its own tone unit, and if there is a brief silent pause or

breath pause after the expression (e.g. You know [pause] she didn’t like it), this

usually indicates that the function is that of a discourse marker (

Û

also 106c

).

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

From discourse to social contexts | 211

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Typical functions

106c

Discourse markers not only organise the discourse but can indicate degrees of

formality and people’s feelings towards the interaction. A selection of discourse

markers is indicated in bold in the extracts below and their typical functions are

commented on in the tables that follow them.