Discourse markers: showing attitude (Easy)

Hello! Welcome to 6 Minute Vocabulary. Im Finn.

Catherine

And Im Catherine. Today were talking about words and phrases we use to express

our attitude to what were saying or writing.

Finn

So two common examples are fortunately, shows Im pleased, and Im afraid,

which shows Im sorry about something. So let's start by listening to Rob. talking about

electric cars. Are you a fan of the electric car, Catherine?

Catherine

Im not a fan of car actually, Finn. If I had one I would probably consider electric.

Finn

Very environmentally considerate of you.

Catherine

you. And before we hear from Rob, heres a question: What is Robs attitude

towards public transport and bicycles? he is:

INSERT

Rob

I must admit Im not sure about the whole idea of electric cars. I mean we

need to find alternative forms of energy, but if you ask me, reducing the number of cars

on road should be the priority. Ideally we would all use public transport or bicycles.

Seriously, I think people should given tax breaks if they dont own a car! But of course

thats not going to happen any time .

Finn

So Robs attitude is that ideally we would all use public transport or bicycles.

Catherine

Or to put another way, he thinks it would be ideal if we all used public transport or

bicycles. By beginning the with ideally, Rob expresses his attitude nicely in just

one word. Right. Lets listen for more words and phrases shows Robs attitude in this

clip.

INSERT

Rob

I must admit Im not sure about the whole idea of cars. I mean obviously we

need to find alternative forms of energy, but if you ask me, reducing the of cars

on the road should be the priority.

Finn

So he begins with the phrase I must admit… what does that tell us?

Catherine

Well, we usually use that expression when were going to say something that be

unpopular. Perhaps were a little embarrassed to say it.

Finn

Yes, Rob knows that a lot of people keen on the idea of electric cars, but hes going to

say something different.

Catherine

Thats right. Then Rob the word obviously. People use obviously to show that an

idea is easy to see or understand.

Finn

And using it here, Rob means that the need for alternative forms of energy is clear to

him, even though has other ideas on the subject too.

Catherine

Exactly. Because he then said if you ask me, reducing the of cars on the road

should be the priority.

Finn

So this phrase if you ask me its like my opinion, isnt it?

Catherine

It is, but it tells us more about the speaker's attitude. Its less direct in my opinion,

and it shows that Rob realises that other people might disagree. Lets have another clip.

INSERT

Seriously, I think people should be given tax breaks if they dont own a car!

Finn

Seriously. Now why he use that here?

Catherine

Seriously shows that Rob knows that his idea might sound like a joke to people. But

he wants to make it clear that its not a joke.

Finn

Oh yes, people often use when they have been joking and they want to start being serious,

dont they?

Catherine

Yes, they do. Right, again:

INSERT

Rob

But of course thats not going to happen any time soon.

Finn

Well, of course is very familiar expression. Now here Rob uses it to show his

understanding of the real situation.

Catherine

Does it sound slightly critical of the government?

Finn

Yes, I think it does. Hes not expecting any new government policies will change the

situation on the roads.

IDENT

6 Minute Vocabulary from BBC Learning English.

Finn

And were talking words and phrases that show attitude. Obviously they are very

important for expressing and understanding what other people mean!

Thats right. But I'm afraid they can be tricky to define in a dictionary, cant they, Finn?

Finn

Yes, can. In fact you can often only understand their real meaning from the context

that they are in.

Catherine

right. And its nearly the end of the show so obviously its time for a quiz! So

question one: is correct a) I must admit I havent done much work today or b) If you

ask me, I done much work today.

Finn

Thats a) I must admit.

Catherine

Correct. Good. Now question two: a) Ideally the will affect our plans for the day

or b) Obviously the weather will affect our plans for the day.

And that one is b) obviously.

Catherine

Correct. And question three: a) OK, but seriously, what do you really ? b) OK, but of

course, what do you really think?

Finn

And this time its a) seriously.

Catherine

Yes is. And well done if you got those right at home.

Finn

And now, heres a game you can with your friends to help you practise these words

and phrases. Have a conversation with them and try to as many of these words and

phrases as you can. Give yourself a point each time you manage to it.

Catherine

Thats all we got time for and theres more about this at bbclearningenglishcom.. Join us

again soon more 6 Minute Vocabulary.

Both

Bye!