2015-05-13
394
ǃ Discourse markers
Discourse means ‘pieces of language longer than a sentence’. Some words and expressions are used to show how discourse is constructed. They can show the connection between what the speaker is saying and what has already been said or what is going to be said; they can help to make clear the structure of what is being said; they can indicate what speakers think about what they are saying or what others have said. There a very large number of them. Here a few most common examples. Some of these words and expressions have more than one use; for more information, look in a good dictionary. Some discourse markers are used mostly in informal speech or writing; others are more common in a formal style. Note that a discourse marker usually comes at the beginning of a clause.
To balance two contrasting facts or ideas we use on the other hand, while, whereas.
To emphasise a contrast we use however, nevertheless.
To point that the main point is as follows we use anyway, anyhow, at least.
To show the structure of what we are saying we use first(ly), first of all, second(ly), third(ly) etc; lastly, finally, to begin/start with; in the first/second/third place.
When you want to add something you say moreover (very formal), in addition, another thing is, besides, in any case.
To generalize things use on the whole, in general, generally speaking=virtuallyl.
To give examples use for instance, for example, e.g., in particular.
To show logical consequence use therefore, as a result, consequently, so, then.
To persuade use after all, no doubt.
To sum up the ideas use in conclusion, to sum up, briefly, in short.
2. Look through the text, find and underline the markers. Translate the sentences.
ǃ Look at the sentence from the article. The effects of drinking alcohol in the form of alcoholism are wide-spread as well as extremely damag ing.
As well as has a similar meaning to ‘not only…but also’. Usually it introduces information which is already known to the listener/reader; The rest of the sentence gives new information.
When we put a verb after as well as, we most often use the –ing form. After an infinitive in the main clause, an infinitive without to is possible, but not the difference in the meaning and translation. We usually translate it into Russian as так же как, как…так и…, e.g.
Drinking parents must think about their health as well as looking after their children.—Пьющие родители должны подумать как о своем здоровье, так и о своих детях (т.е. и о здоровье, и о детях).
Drinking parents must think about their health as well as look after their children.—Пьющие родители должны думать о своем здоровье так же как о своих детях (т.е.в равной степени).
ǃ Look at the sentence from the article. For instance, once the individual has had the first drink, he or she can no longer control what will happen, even though the intention might have been to have only one or two drinks.
We can use even to talk about surprising extremes – when people do more than we expect, or go too far, for example. Even most often goes in mid-position. (auxiliary verb +even; be + even).Even is not used as a conjunction, but we can use even before if and though. Also is not used to talk about surprising extremes.
ǃ Look at the sentence from the article. After taking the first drink, the alcoholic typically lost all control and would then continue drinking
The modal verb would is used here to say that the situation is probable. If it has a negative form it means weak probability.
