This document summarizes common discourse markers used in English to link ideas and express logical relationships between clauses and sentences. It discusses linkers like so, therefore and consequently. It also covers markers used to indicate reason (because, as), purpose (to, in order to, so as to), contrast (but, yet, however), and concession (although, though). For each marker, it provides examples of usage and notes on formality.

1. Discourse Markers 1:Linkers NEFa 1A

2. ResultSo, as a result, therefore, consequently So isthemostcommon The otherthree are more formal and oftenused at thebeginning of a sentenceorclause (thereforeand consequently can beusedbefore a mainverb) Often preceded bycomma, orcomma+ and Weregretthatyou do nothavetherequiredqualifications,(and) therefore/consequentlywe are unabletoofferyouthejob

3. Reasonbecause, as, since, because of, dueto , owingto Because, as, and since (+ formal) are synonyms. They introduce clausesgiving a reason. I havestoppedwritingtoher, because/as/sincesheneveranswers me Because of, dueto(formal), and owingto(formal) are followedby a noun. The flight has beendelayedowingto/duetoadverse weatherconditions.

4. Purposeto, in orderto, so as to Use to, in orderto, so as to, forand so thattoexpresspurpose. In ordertoand so as toare more formal

5. Purpose Afterto, in orderto, and so as touse aninfinitive Use for + a noun Wewenttherefor a meeting You can use for + gerundto describe theexactpurpose of a thing Thisliquidisforcleaning metal

6. Purpose: so that Afterso that, use a subject + a modal verb (can/could, will/would, …) I wenttothe bank so (that) I couldwithdrawsomemoney You can leaveoutthat in informal speechorwriting Youmust use so thatforpurposewhenthereis a change of subject in theresultclause Sheput a rugoverthebabyso (that) he wouldn’tbecold

7. Negativepurpose Toexpress a negativepurposeuse so as nottoorin ordernotto, NOT notto. You can also use so that+ subject + wouldn’t I wroteitdownso as nottoforgetit I wroteitdownso (that) I wouldn’tforgetit

8. Contrastbut, yet, however, nevertheless, although/ though/eventhough + clause Butisthemostcommon and informal Yetisusedthesameway, butis more formal/literary Shewasattractedtothestranger, yetshedidn’tapproachhim However and nevertheless (nonetheless) are normallyused at thebeginning of a sentence, usuallyfollowedbycomma. Nevertheless (nonetheless) are more formal/literarythanhowever.

9. Contrastbut, yet, however, nevertheless, although/ though/eventhough + clause Although and eventhoughcan beused at thebeginningor in themiddle of a sentence Althoughtheweatherwas terrible, wehad a good time. Wehad a good time, althoughtheweatherwas terrible Eventhoughisstrongerthanalthough – usedtoexpress a bigcontrast I wenttoworkeventhoughI wasill EventhoughI wasill, I wenttowork

10. Although, though, eventhough+ clause Thoughis more informal. It can onlybeused in themiddle of a sentence. I like Ann thoughshesometimesannoys me But: I like Ann. Shesometimesannoys me, though

11. In spite of, despite Afterin spite of ordespite, use a noun, a verb in the–ingformorthefactthat+ subject + verb:

12. In spite of, despite DON’T use of withdespite Despite of the rain > In spite of the rain/Despitethe rain