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.