10.82 Indicating a change in a conversation

Sometimes people want to avoid abruptness when changing the topic of conversation, or when starting to talk about a different aspect of it. They do this by using a particular group of sentence adjuncts. These adjuncts are mostly used when you are continuing a conversation, and rarely to begin one.

The following adjuncts are commonly used in this way:

• actually, anyhow, anyway, by the way, incidentally, look, now, now then, okay, right, so, then, well, well now, well then, you know

They usually occur at the beginning of a clause. However, a few of them can be used in other places in the clause, when you want to pause or want to draw attention to the fact that you are introducing a new topic.

'Actually', 'anyhow', 'anyway', 'by the way', 'incidentally', and 'you know' can be used at the end of a clause. 'By the way', 'incidentally', and 'you know' can be used after the subject or after the first word in a verb group.

Here are some examples showing adjuncts used to change the topic of a conversation:

• Actually, Dan, before I forget, she asked me to tell you about my new job.
• Well now, we've got a very big task ahead of us.

Here are some examples showing adjuncts used to start talking about a different aspect of the same topic:

• What do you sell there anyway?
• This approach, incidentally, also has the advantage of being cheap.

Unlike the other adjuncts, 'then' by itself is not used at the beginning of a clause, only at the end.

• That's all right then.
• Are you fond of her, then?

10.83

Some adjuncts are used at the beginning of a clause to introduce a fact, often one that corrects the statement just made. They can also be used at the end of a clause, and elsewhere, to emphasize the fact.

• actually, as a matter of fact, as it happens, I mean, indeed, in fact

Note that 'actually' is used here to add information on the same topic, whereas in the previous paragraph it indicated a change of topic.

• Actually, I do know why he made the solicitors write that letter.
• He rather envies you actually.
• I'm sure you're right. In fact, I know you're right.
• There's no reason to be disappointed. As a matter of fact, this could be rather amusing.
• They cannot hop or jump. Indeed, they can barely manage even to run.

'You see' is used to preface or point to an explanation.

• 'You don't want to come with me, then?' --- 'No. You see, it's not often that I get the chance to be absolutely free.'
• Some ran away to Canada and were never heard of again. They couldn't write, you see.

'After all' is used to preface or point to a reason or justification of what you have just said.

• She did not regret accepting his offer. He was, after all, about the right age.