ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Discourse marker

A discourse marker is something we use to help us understand how different pieces of conversation or writing are related to each other. It's like a signpost that shows us how to follow along with what's being said.

For example, imagine you're having a conversation with somebody about your day at school. You might say "So, anyway..." before starting to talk about something that happened later in the day. That "So, anyway..." is a discourse marker, because it helps you transition from one part of the conversation to another.

Other common discourse markers you might use include "Well," "Um," "Actually," or "By the way." These words help us know when somebody is changing the subject, emphasizing something important, or adding some extra information.

Even though they might seem small and unimportant, discourse markers are actually really helpful for making sure that people understand each other. They're like little signs that help us know where we're going, and how we're getting there.
Related topics others have asked about: