Spoken discourse markers

Rules

• Rule 1: Adding a counterpoint

  To add a limit or a contrasting view: mind you, that said / having said that, then again, to be fair.

  Pattern: Sentence. + Mind you / That said / Then again / To be fair, + sentence.

  Example: The hike was tiring. That said, the view was worth it.

  Example: He forgot my birthday. To be fair, he was very busy.

• Rule 2: if anything and as it were

  if anything says the opposite of what someone might expect is closer to the truth. as it were / so to speak show that you are using a phrase figuratively.

  Pattern: negative sentence; if anything, + the opposite

  Example: She isn't shy. If anything, she's too talkative.

  Example: He's our walking map, as it were.

• Rule 3: Changing and returning to a topic

  by the way opens a new topic. speaking of which / speaking of + noun moves to a related topic. anyway and as I was saying bring the conversation back.

  Pattern: By the way / Anyway / As I was saying, + sentence

  Example: Speaking of music, did you hear the new song?

  Example: Anyway, let's get back to work.

• Rule 4: Explaining, correcting, giving opinions

  I mean, in other words, actually and on second thought explain or correct. if you ask me, to be honest and for what it's worth introduce an opinion.

  Pattern: I mean / Actually / If you ask me, + sentence

  Example: Actually, the café opens at nine, not eight.

  Example: If you ask me, we should leave early.

Common mistakes

• Mind your, the food was cold. → Mind you, the food was cold.

  The phrase is fixed: mind you.

• If something, it was easier. → If anything, it was easier.

  The phrase is if anything.

• He is, as it was, our leader. → He is, as it were, our leader.

  The were in this phrase never changes.