PRACTICE 10

LINKING SIGNALS IN SPEECH

1. OBJECTIVES
a. to identify linking signals expressions in coversation
b. to improve speaking skill
c. to practice linking signals expression in conversation
2. DISCUSSION
CHANGING THE SUBJECT/ REINFORCEMENT/ INTERRUPTING/ BALANCING
ARGUMENTS

CHANGING TH E SUBJECT
By the way, talking of. . .(slightly informal)
Incidentally, on the subject of. . .(slightly formal)

REINFORCEMENT
What’s more,.. . Furthermore,. . Moreover,. . In addition,. . (slightly formal)
That’s not all,. . On top of that,. (informal)

IN T E R R U P T IO N
Excuse me, b u t . . .
(Could I) . . . Could I just (ask a question/say something ) here?<tentatif>
It I might just (Make a poin/ come in ) here <formal>
hey {hold/ hang} on (a momont)! < Informal>

B A L A N C IN G
(Yes, but) -on the other hand (polite)
there again (informal)
one shouldn’t
one mustn’t
forget that . . . (formal)

MAKING A POINT MORE ACCURATE/ ILLUSTRATING A POINT/ MAKING SURE

THAT YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY

MAKING A POINT MORE ACCURATE

or rather, that is (to say)
or to be more accurate, (formal)
or at least, (informal)
 ILLUSTRATING
For example, For instance
MAKING SURE YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD
So you’re saying (that) . .. are you?
If I understand you correctly, you’re saying.. . (rather formal)?
3. TASK In other words .. . (direct)
You mean . . . (informal: direct)
Football, what do you
a) Two colleagues are discussing some of their other colleagues.
X: By the way, I saw Mr Brown this morning. He wasn’t very polite.
Y : Mr Brown? Oh i knew it. Talking of Mr.Brown, how’s his secretary?
X : Mary, you mean ?
Y: Yes.
X : Talking of Mary, she’s going out with Joe Green and she’s always getting to work late. Well,
Mr Brown can’t stand him and getting mad to Mary.
Y : Excuse me, why did you say she was going out with Joe Green? He’s a really nasty piece of
work.
X : Yes, but he’s there again and got a lot of money.
b) There is a business meeting taking place at which a new product is being discussed.
X : I think we should have a lot of success and big sales with this new product.
Y : Talking of sales, how is the product going to be advertised ?
Z : Well that’s my responsibility, actually, and I ’ve got this fantastic new idea, you see
W : Hold on! We are supposed to be discussing the product, not advertising.
Y : Yes of course i know, but on other hand it is important to discuss how the product is to be
advertised.
X : As you we know gentlemen, it’s getting late and moreover I ’m feeling very hungry. I
suggest we continue this discussion over dinner.