This document discusses different discourse markers used to indicate result, reason, purpose, and contrast. It provides examples of how each marker is used to introduce clauses and sentences. For result, it discusses markers like "so" and "as a result". For reason, it covers markers like "because", "since", and "owing to". For purpose, it lists "to", "in order to", and "so as to". For contrast, it examines contrastive markers like "but", "however", "although", and "despite".

1. DISCOURSE MARKERS
Result
Reason
Purpose
Contrast

2. RESULT
 SO: Ex.: I didn’t study, so I failed the exam.
 As a result, as a consequence, therefore,
consequently, thus, hence: more formal.
 Word order: at the beginning of the sentence they
introduce.
 BUT ALSO: therefore and consequently before the
main verb:
Ex.: We have therefore decided to invest in your
company.

3. REASON
 BECAUSE +clause:
Ex.: We study English because we love languages.
 SINCE, AS (more formal)+clause
 Word order: As - at the beginning of the full sentence:
Ex: As the teacher wasn’t very proficient, we failed the
course.
BECAUSE OF+ Noun Phrase:
Ex.: He was hired because of his good skills.
OWING TO/DUE TO + Noun Phrase (more formal):
Ex.: Due to staff shortage, our services will be reduced.

4. PURPOSE
 To: Ex.: I’m doing this course to improve my English.
 in order to, so as to+ infinitive (more formal)
 NEGATIVES: in order not to, so as not to:
Ex.:The company is making workers redundant in order not to go
bankrupt.
 So (that)+can/could or will/would: OBLIGATORY when the subject is
different in the two clauses:
Ex.: The teacher has prepared this presentation so that the
students can learn better.
 Also: when the subject is different:
in order for +object+infinitive with to:
Ex. The teacher has prepared this presentation in order for the
students to learn better.

5. CONTRAST 1
 BUT, YET (formal) usually preceded by a comma:
Ex.: We like English, but our teacher is boring.
Ex.: The teacher seemed nice, yet there was
something in him she didn’t trust.
 HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS (formal),
NONETHELESS (very formal), at the beginning
of the sentence, followed by a comma:
Ex.: The teacher seemed nice. Nevertheless, there
was something in him she didn’t trust.

6. CONTRAST 2
 ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH (emphatic), THOUGH
(informal)+CLAUSE:
Ex.: We still love English although/even though/ though/ our
teacher is very boring.
 BUT SOMETIMES, though goes at the end as a comment
adverb:
Ex.: The teacher is nice- a bit boring, though.
 IN SPITE OF, DESPITE +NOUN PHRASE:
Ex.: In spite of/despite our terrible teacher, we still love
English.
 OR IN SPITE OF, DESPITE+THE FACT THAT+CLAUSE:
Ex.: Despite the fact we have a terrible teacher, we still love
English.