Discourse Markers (C1)

Go through the notes and do the activity below. 
Discourse Markers



Complete the texts with the following discourse markers.

AFTER ALL     TO BE HONEST     ADMITTEDLY     ANYWAY     FOR ONE THING

(1) "_______________, there are some disadvantages to working alone at home. (2) _______________, there isn't the human contact you get if you work in an office with other people. (3) _______________, though, that doesn't bother me too much, as I get to see much more of my wife and children - (4) _______________, they're the people that really matter, aren't they? And (5) _______________, in my last job, there was always lots of backbiting and other unpleasantness, so I'm happy the way it is now."

AT LEAST      OF COURSE      GENERALLY       

ALL THE SAME      I MEAN

(6) "_______________ speaking, going on holiday alone is much better than going with a group of friends. (7) _______________, that's what I think, anyway. (8) _______________, for example, if you're with other people, there are always disputes and arguments about what to do and where to go next, and that doesn't happen if you're on your own. (9) _______________, if it's just you, there will be times when you get lonely and you don't know what to do. But (10) _______________, I still think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

ACTUALLY     ULTIMATELY    IN FACT      

MIND YOU       ANYWAY

"I'm home alone because my husband is on holiday with his friends at the moment, lucky thing! (11) _______________ , though, he deserved it - he's been working really hard lately and he needed a break. (12) _______________, as I was saying, I have the house for myself and I thought I would enjoy it, but (13) _______________, I'm quite bored. (14) _______________ after the first day I invited a friend to stay to keep me company. The whole thing has made realised that (15)  _______________ I can't stand being alone."

ANSWER KEY:

1. admittedly

2. for one thing

3. to be honest

4. after all / to be honest

5. anyway

6. generally

7. at least

8. I mean

9. of course

10. all the same

11. mind you / actually

12. anyway

13. actually

14. in fact

15. ultimately

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