4 Fluency with chunks - you know. - My English Lesson Online

Chunks: Fluency with chunks – you know.

Lesson Title

Fluency with chunks – you know.

Duration: 50 minutes
Level: Intermediate

Fluency with chunks – you know

This lesson looks at the following chunk “you know” and how to use it in conversation.
A listener or reader uses their knowledge of chunks to help them predict meaning and therefore be able to process language in real time.

What are discourse markers?
Are they chunks?

Discourse markers are used in both written and spoken English to link what has come before to what comes next. You’ll already know of discourse markers used in written English such as ‘on the one hand’, ‘turning now to’ or ‘in conclusion’. So are they chunks? Yes sometimes they are.

Let’s look at an example:
On the one hand, I enjoy the convenience of city life, but on the other hand, I appreciate the tranquility of the countryside.

When someone says “on one hand,” they are introducing a perspective or idea. Following that, when they say “on the other hand,” they present a different or contrasting perspective.

Fluency with chunks – you know.

“You know” is a phrase commonly used in conversation to check if the listener is following or understanding what the speaker is saying. It can also be used to emphasize a point or express shared knowledge or understanding between the speaker and the listener.

What do you think?

Watch this short video and listen to the chunks used.

Other informal discourse markers.

Typical single word discourse markers in spoken English include ‘now‘, ‘so‘ ‘actually‘ and ‘well‘.
As your English fluency skills improve, you’ll find yourself using informal discourse markers such as the following more often:

I see what you mean, but

This phrase is used when you understand someone’s point of view or opinion, but you have a different perspective or want to add something to the conversation.

By the way

This is used to introduce additional information or a related point that is not directly connected to the main topic of the conversation.

Sort of

This phrase is used to express that something is not exactly or completely as described, but it’s close or similar.

Mind you

This is often used to add a contrasting or qualifying statement to what has been said before, emphasizing a point or providing additional context.

You know

This is used to check if someone understands or agrees with what you’re saying or to add emphasis to a statement.

Let’s see

This phrase is used when you are considering or thinking about something and want a moment to reflect or evaluate before making a decision or giving an answer.

Can you make 5 sentences with the chunks, ‘you know’ and ‘I mean’?

‘you know’ is used to imply that what is being referred to is known to or understood by the listener.

‘I mean’ has variously uses in a conversation, such as: as a filler phrase; an emphasis marker; a way to reorganize, clarify, or qualify a thought; or to express disbelief or disapproval.

You know, we really have to go, it’s very late.
He has to stop drinking, I mean, he’s going to kill himself if he keeps it up.

Examples

We have a lot in common, you know?
She was just joking around, you know.
I have plans too, you know.
Then how do you know?
It isn’t your fault, you know.
I’m not mad. It’s just that, I mean, I think you’ve been acting a little selfishly.
I mean, it was incredible.
I mean, this is life
I mean, what’s the point?
The country is so divided, I mean, what should we do?

Types of discourse marker.

Below you’ll find a list of discourse markers for each purpose or reason.

Comparing and contrasting

When you want to talk about how two things are different, or look at alternatives, you might use these words and phrases:

Whereas
On the contrary
Nevertheless
Even though
Instead of

Similarities

To talk about two things that are almost the same, and highlight similarities, transition words such as these will help:

Similarly
Likewise
Analogous to
In a similar fashion
Just as
Equally
In the same way

Often, comparison and similarity signal words come hand-in-hand when you are relating one thing to another.

Addition

These expressions are used when you need to add to what you have already said:

As well (as)
Additionally
Furthermore
What’s more
On top of this
Besides

Giving examples

If you need to illustrate a point or give an example of what you mean, these phrases can help:

For example
For instance
Such as
As we can see from
As shown by
In particular
Especially

Cause and effect / reason

When talking about one thing that caused or impacted another thing, you’ll need some of these:

Because
As a result of
Thanks to
This has the effect of
Consequently
Since
In that case
Otherwise

Indicating time order

These words and phrases are helpful for giving time order or structure to a sequence of events or points:

To begin with
First of all
Secondly
Then
After this
Finally
In the end
Last of all

Clarification

If you need to explain something in a different way or clarify a point, you can use phrases like this:

What I mean is
Look at it this way
In other words
If I’m not mistaken
To be clear
This is to say that
For the avoidance of doubt

Emphasis

Sometimes you need to emphasize a particular point when speaking or writing. In these cases, the following discourse markers are useful:

As a matter of fact
Indeed
Actually
I must admit
To be honest
To tell you the truth
To say the least

Conclusion

And finally, it can be helpful to use these words and phrases to indicate the conclusion of what we are saying:

In conclusion
This brings us to the conclusion that
What this all means is
To wrap up
In summary
I’ll end by saying that

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What are discourse markers?Are they chunks?