A group take on Discourse Markers

What we learnt about some DISCOURSE MARKERS

1. Despite = In spite of

There are three possible combinations

Despite the fact that

In spite of the fact that

Despite + gerund

In spite of + gerund

Despite + noun

In spite of + noun

2. While is normally used to talk about simultaneous actions. It can also be used to show CONTRAST. In the case of the second situation, while means the same as whereas.

3. Though = although = even though

Only "though" can be used at the end of the sentence.

The three of them can be used at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence

Wanna get some examples? Try this website http://www.natcorp.ox.ac.uk/

　

The big question is how do you feel about using discourse markers and what strategies can be used to really learn them?

　

Learning them is a plus

The stuff about knowing the difference between discourse markers with similar meanings is important

How they are used vary from context to context and from English user to user.

A good way to learn them is paying attention to how people use them and trying to imitating it. But remember, use other speakers as models, but don’t try to be a copycat.  

You shouldn’t worry about trying to learn all of them: take one of them at random and try to fit it in a sentence. (at random = in an aleatory manner)

Now watch this short video that talks about a world famous dancer and choreographer Gillian Lynne. What do you think might have happened to her if she had not met that particular specialist?

Complete the last sentence of the video:

Somebody else might …... ….... her medication and ….. her to calm down

Lucky numbers

　

　

Numbers and Luck are an age-old association. Look at how many associations we can have with the number SEVEN. 

#1 capital sins: gluttony, lust, greed, wrath (hate), sloth, envy and pride

#2 a game like American football - Rubgy Sevens

#3 the solar system visible to the human eye: the Moon, the Sun, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury

#4 The Seven Dwarfs: Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful (shy, timid), Grumpy, Dopey, Doc

#5 seven colors of the rainbow: violet, blue, green, yellow, purple, red, orange

#6 the past seven continents

#7 symbols in The Bible On the seventh day, God rested

#8 Rome was built on seven hills

#9 the seven stages of life

#10 Yul Brynner - one of the lead actors in the classic Hollywood movie The Magnificent Seven

#11 - 007

#12 the seven orifices - 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, one mouth, two ears

#13 the Seven Seas

#14 the seventh heaven

#15 the Ancient Seven wonders

　
Do you have a lucky number?

I don't believe in God, I believe in...
What do you think about numerology? It is an experience in self-knowledge

How many superstitious symbols can you name?

a four-leaf clover
a gnome
a 13-month old baby
a black cat

Are some people born lucky or unlucky?

Making it connected

Everything is connected

Connecting words, sentences and ideas is an art. The connecting words and expressions indicate the relationship between the elements e.g.

　

Furthermore - ADDITION

Whereas - CONTRAST

 

　

　

Contrasting: In contrast

Supporting: moreover, what's more, for this reason

 

The building is yet to be finished = The building is not finished yet

 

At least = minimum

　

　

Did you have time to do the homework?

If you don't have the time, do at least the first page.

 

Furthermore = in addition

whereas

even so

moreover

nevertheless

　

 

My husband is a fan of numerology. However, I can't undertand a word of it.

My husband is a fan of numerology; however, I can't undertand a word of it.

Although my husband is a fan of numerology, I can't undertand a word of it.

My husband is a fan of numerology. I can't undertand a word of it, though.

 

The English aren't very superstitious, and yet they always cross their fingers when they want something good to happen

　

Although/Even though/Though the English aren't very superstitious, they always cross their fingers when they want something good to happen

The English aren't very superstitious, even though/although/though they always cross their fingers when they want something good to happen

The English aren't very superstitious; they always cross their fingers when they want something good to happen, though/however/nevertheless.

　

 

Even though - Although - Though (Formal > less formal)　

 

In Japan the number four is bad luck, although seven is lucky.

In Japan the number four is bad luck; on the other hand, seven is lucky.

In Japan the number four is bad luck. On the other hand/However, seven is lucky.

In Japan the number four is bad luck, whereas seven is lucky.

　

 

Many say astrology is an ancient science. However, many others ridicule it

Anthony's brother is really lucky, whereas I am terribly unlucky

She told me ... However, ...

 

In many countries black cats are considered bad luck, so is the number 13

 

My grandmother is very educated, whereas/even though she still believes in superstitions

My grandmother is very educated; in spite of that/even so, she still believes in superstitions.

 

Superstitions or manias?

OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a type of mania but is considered a disease

 

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How are people connected? See if you agree with the movie.

 

Wishlist

What if you were ...

a neutron bomb? I would be careful not to explode
a sacrifice?
an ornament?
a star on the christmas tree?
a sailor?
a messenger? 
a full moon?
an alien?
a souvenir? glasses, t-shirts, caps, keychains, perfumes, ceramics, postcards, matchbox, tinderbox (decorative box for small objects)
a pedal brake?
a verb?
a song?

The Happiness GapWishlists can be used to ...
voice an opinion/a reason/an idea / a fear/ a worry or a concern
interpret someone's personality
say a prayer
remind you of your goals
haunt someone forever
taunt someone (taunt = provoke)
send subtle messages to someone
show how crazy you are (you might just end up in the sanitarium)

a sanitarium = a mad house = a mental hospital = "a nut house" = "a cuckoo farm or a funny farm"


What kind of wishlists can these people make together?
colleagues or co-workers or workmates
a couple
siblings
scientists
business partners
government officials or ministers

　

Now make a wish! Complete these sentences below with your own ideas.

Question: How do we form the verb that comes after these sentences?

It's time ...
I wish ... 
I'd sooner ...
If ...
Supposing ...
I'd rather ...

　
　

　
Here is a preview of a wishlist for our planet:

eliminate poverty
achieve peace in the Middle East in particular
preserve the environment by using renewable fuels e.g. ethanol, biodiesel
reduce carbon emissions

To add more to this list click on the link here.


　
　

Seize the day or regret the time past

The antidote to REGRETS

Don't get me wrong: Having regrets is a natural and necessary part of the learning process.

Think of it in stages of your life: the kind of regret changes in accordance with the period of life you find yourself in.

The regrets you may have when you turn 20 will probably differ considerably from the ones you will have when you are 40.


A quick definition for REGRETS: things you did or didn't do but would like to have done differently

Can we use the word as a verb? Certainly, ...
WE can regret the consequences, not the actions,
regret the day something happened
regret doing something unwise
regret having not done what was expected of us

This song can shed some light on the subject:

This one helps us with some useful language to talk about regrets:

What does he say? Complete the sentences.

He wishes he ........ ......... .......... how he felt
If only he ......... ........... to his father while the second was still alive.


Now you: think about something you would do differently if you had the chance to change the past

I regret (not) ...
I regret (not) having ....
I would love to have ....
I should have ....
If only I had ....

Avoid advice to avoid regret

How would you react to comments like these?

I'm at ease with other people's opinions. They don't bother me or get me down.
I take myself a little too seriously at times
I don't like giving advice because I tend to have a very peculiar way of seeing things that not everyone agrees with
I can deal with diverging opinions and I know how to be assertive when necessary.
I am a hard person to be convinced: you have to come good if you want to win me over.  
My conclusion is that people need illusions to live by. Some friends get angry with the truth and reject you for being yourself

Telling the truth then is not an easy talk. See the video to this song to sing along:

 

bitter x sweet

the food has a bitter taste

bitter memories

bitter tone of voice

in a bitter mood

so much bitterness in the world

be grumpy, e.g. Grumpy Smurf Ebenezer Scrooge, the character from the novel  a Christmas Carol, was known to be grumpy

What makes your day

“Go ahead, punk. Make my day”

Listening to Joel Santana makes my day

to be fed up = to be at your limit of patience = to be up to your head with something

exhilarated

They shut down the dump in Gramacho

to dump = to throw away

to dump someone (in a relationship) = to reject someone = to break up with someone

rubbish (UK, Australia)

trash (US)

garbage  (US)

You found your way in, you can find your way out

Are you a good ...
listener?

advisor?

Parents

Something I (didn’t) learn from my parents

not to interfere

the absence of light is a necessary part

I’m always here for you

If you do it right, you’ll love where you are

Here are many valuable life lessons in the video

 

It’s important (not) to have regrets in life

take risks

Here's another song to help you get in the mood