Advanced Discourse Markers: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓You already know words like but, so, because, and however. Those are discourse markers — small words or phrases that connect ideas and show your listener (or reader) how one thought relates to the next. At B1–B2 level, it's time to move beyond the basics and start using markers that make your English sound more natural, more precise, and more like what a confident speaker actually says.
What discourse markers really do
Think of them as signposts. They don't change the grammar of your sentence; they change how your audience processes it. Compare:
She studied hard. She failed the exam.
She studied hard. Even so, she failed the exam.
The facts are identical. But even so tells the listener: "What comes next is surprising given what you just heard." That's the job — managing expectations, signalling attitude, shifting topic, or softening a statement.
Key markers and how to use them
Concession & contrast: nevertheless, even so, having said that, mind you, that said
- The hotel was overpriced. That said, the location was perfect. ✅
- The hotel was overpriced. That said, the hotel was expensive. ❌ — You can't concede and then repeat the same point. That said must introduce a contrasting idea.
Adding or reinforcing: what's more, on top of that, as a matter of fact, indeed
- He didn't just forget my birthday. On top of that, he borrowed my car without asking.
Reformulating (saying it another way): in other words, that is to say, put differently
- The company is downsizing — in other words, people are losing their jobs.
Dismissing or downplaying: at any rate, anyway, in any case
- I'm not sure the data is accurate. At any rate, let's move on to the next point. — Here at any rate signals: "Whether or not that's true, it doesn't matter for what I'm about to say."
Returning to a topic: as I was saying, going back to…, to return to my point
These are especially common in spoken English and presentations, and learners tend to underuse them.
The mistake that trips everyone up
The single most common error at this level is using a discourse marker that points in the wrong logical direction. Learners often treat moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and however as interchangeable "formal linking words." They are not.
The restaurant was noisy. Moreover, the food was delicious. ❌
Moreover means "and here's another thing in the same direction." But noise (negative) and delicious food (positive) go in opposite directions. You need nevertheless, even so, or however:
The restaurant was noisy. Nevertheless, the food was delicious. ✅
If you're ever unsure, ask yourself: "Does my next sentence push the same way, or does it push against what I just said?" Same direction → moreover, furthermore, on top of that. Opposite direction → however, nevertheless, even so, that said.
Register matters
Some markers belong almost exclusively to speech: mind you, anyway, thing is. Others feel stiff in casual conversation: furthermore, that is to say. Using furthermore in a chat with a friend sounds odd; using mind you in an academic essay sounds out of place. Match the marker to the situation.
One more subtlety: position in the sentence. Many advanced markers can move around. However can start a sentence, appear mid-sentence after the subject, or even come at the end:
- However, the results were inconclusive.
- The results, however, were inconclusive.
- The results were inconclusive, however.
All three are correct, but mid-sentence however (set off by commas) often reads as the most polished in formal writing. Learners almost always put it first — which is fine, just predictable.
Start experimenting with two or three new markers at a time. Drop them into your writing, check the logical direction, and check the register. That's genuinely all it takes.
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct answers are anyway, in any case, and at any rate.
Anyway, in any case, and at any rate are discourse markers of dismissal and resumption. They are perfectly deployed here to dismiss the previous irrelevant information (the uncle's motorcycle) and steer the conversation back to the main topic (the company's bankruptcy).
By the way and incidentally are incorrect because they do the exact opposite: they are used to introduce a new tangent or an unrelated piece of information.
Question 2
Complete the supervillain's evil (but surprisingly well-organized) memo to his henchmen.
We must capture the mayor's prized poodle before midnight to ensure our demands are met. _____, I have ordered a fleet of silent hover-scooters for the extraction team.
The correct answer is To that end.
"To that end" is a formal discourse marker meaning "for that particular purpose" or "in order to achieve that goal."
"Notwithstanding" means "despite," "Conversely" introduces an opposite idea, and "Albeit" means "even though" (and cannot be used to start a standalone sentence in this way).
Question 3
The correct answers are in other words, to put it bluntly, and simply put.
These three discourse markers are used for reformulation or clarification. They signal to the listener that the speaker is about to rephrase what they just said in a clearer, more direct, or simpler way.
By the same token is incorrect because it is used to add a similar point or introduce a parallel situation.
On the whole is incorrect because it is used to summarize or give a general opinion, rather than translate a specific previous statement.
Question 4
Help the debate moderator summarize the politician's rather contradictory performance by choosing the correct phrase.
The candidate's charisma is undeniable, and he certainly knows how to charm a crowd. _____, his proposed economic policies completely ignore basic mathematical reality.
The correct answer is Be that as it may.
"Be that as it may" is a formal discourse marker used to introduce a contrast or concession. It means "even though that is true, this next part is also true (and usually more important)."
"By the same token" adds a similar point, "Inasmuch as" means "since/because," and "To that end" indicates purpose.
Question 5
The correct answers are nevertheless, be that as it may, and having said that.
Nevertheless, be that as it may, and having said that are all advanced discourse markers of concession. They are used to accept that the previous statement is true (the singed eyebrows), but to introduce a contrasting statement that reduces its impact (the breakthrough).
On the contrary is incorrect because it is used to flatly deny a previous statement and assert the opposite, rather than concede a point.
Consequently is incorrect because it introduces a result or effect, which does not fit the logic here.
Question 6
Help an overly dramatic roommate complete their highly formal (and slightly ridiculous) complaint about the kitchen situation by choosing the correct discourse markers for each gap.
I acknowledge your contribution of the premium dish soap; be that as it may, leaving a lasagna pan to soak for three weeks is simply unacceptable.
I find your excuse of being "too busy" completely invalid, inasmuch as I watched you play video games for six hours straight yesterday.
The kitchen is finally clean, albeit smelling rather strongly of industrial bleach and passive-aggression.
I acknowledge your contribution of the premium dish soap; be that as it may, leaving a lasagna pan to soak for three weeks is simply unacceptable.
"Be that as it may" is a formal way of saying "despite that fact" or "nevertheless." It accepts the previous statement but introduces a contrasting point.
I find your excuse of being "too busy" completely invalid, inasmuch as I watched you play video games for six hours straight yesterday.
"Inasmuch as" means "since" or "because." It introduces the reason why the excuse is invalid. "Notwithstanding" (despite) and "nevertheless" (however) do not fit the logical cause-and-effect relationship here.
The kitchen is finally clean, albeit smelling rather strongly of industrial bleach and passive-aggression.
"Albeit" is a formal conjunction meaning "although" or "even though." It is used here to introduce a concession about the state of the clean kitchen.
Question 7
The correct answers are albeit, Be that as it may, and To that end.
albeit: A formal conjunction meaning "although," perfectly suited to directly modifying the adjective phrase "highly suspicious." Notwithstanding is a preposition that requires a noun object, and nevertheless is typically used to begin an independent clause.
Be that as it may: A discourse marker meaning "despite that fact" or "nevertheless." Inasmuch as means "since," which doesn't fit the logical contrast of the traveler's thought process.
To that end: Means "in order to achieve that goal" (the goal being to blend in). Conversely would introduce an opposite point, and in retrospect implies looking back with regret rather than explaining an action taken to achieve a specific purpose.
Question 8
Choose the perfect word to complete the food critic's review of a new, highly experimental restaurant.
The avant-garde chef's decision to serve the chocolate mousse inside a vintage leather shoe was certainly memorable, _____ highly unsanitary.
The correct answer is albeit.
"Albeit" is a formal conjunction and discourse marker that means "even though" or "although." It is often used to introduce a concessive word or phrase rather than a full clause (e.g., "memorable, albeit unsanitary").
"Inasmuch as" means "to the extent that" or "since," "lest" means "for fear that," and "henceforth" means "from this time forward."
Question 9
The correct answers are Inasmuch as, That being said, and Accordingly.
Inasmuch as: A formal marker meaning "considering that" or "since." It correctly introduces the reason for his limited skills. Notwithstanding is a preposition requiring a noun (e.g., "notwithstanding his species"), and albeit is rarely used to introduce a full independent clause in this manner.
That being said: Introduces a contrasting point (his terrible spreadsheet skills versus his fantastic morale-boosting abilities). Consequently would hilariously—but incorrectly—imply that his morale-boosting is caused by his bad spreadsheet skills.
Accordingly: Means "therefore" or "as a logical result" of the productivity increase. Conversely would introduce a contrasting idea, which makes no sense for a promotion based on excellent performance.
Question 10
A rather unlucky time traveler has kept a diary of their accidental trip to the dinosaur age. Choose the appropriate advanced discourse markers for each gap to complete their frantic entry.
My time machine's navigation system is completely fried, which is problematic insofar as I lack the necessary tools to repair it.
The local T-Rex hasn't tried to eat me yet, but by the same token, I haven't given it any reason to notice me.
I am currently stranded in the Cretaceous period and, to all intents and purposes, entirely doomed unless the backup generator kicks in.
My time machine's navigation system is completely fried, which is problematic insofar as I lack the necessary tools to repair it.
"Insofar as" means "to the extent that" and is used here to explain exactly why and to what degree the fried navigation system is a problem.
The local T-Rex hasn't tried to eat me yet, but by the same token, I haven't given it any reason to notice me.
"By the same token" means "in the same way" or "for the same reason." The writer is equating the dinosaur's lack of aggression with their own lack of provocation.
I am currently stranded in the Cretaceous period and, to all intents and purposes, entirely doomed unless the backup generator kicks in.
"To all intents and purposes" (or "for all intents and purposes") means "in almost every practical sense." It emphasizes that, practically speaking, the situation is hopeless without the generator.