介绍:
1. logical consequence 逻辑关系
△ Very formal: thus, hence
△ Average: therefore, as a result, consequently
△ informal,: so, then, For this reason, This is why
• Today&`&s children eat more junk food and get less exercise than previous generations of children. It is not surprising, therefore/as a result, that rates of childhood obesity are on the increase.
• Children who grow up on a diet of junk food find it difficult to change this habit later in life. For this reason, /This is why it is essential that children eat healthily from an early age.
2. making things clear; giving details 进一步解释观点
△ I mean, actually, that is to say, in other words
△ I mean, 希望进一步解释，解释的更清楚
• The party was so boring. I mean they all sat around and talked about football/shoes.
△ actually, 想给出更多的细节，尤其是听者可能意想不到的
• The food in that restaurant was not all that expensive. Actually, some were even cheaper than those in street side stalls.
△ that is to say, in other words 换句话说
• I can’t continue working with him. That is to say/in other words, unless he does something about his laziness, I will have to team up with someone else.
3. softening 弱化个人观点
△ 只是个人意见，看起来不那么固执武断
△ I think, I feel, I reckon, I guess, I presume, in my view/opinion, apparently,
△ so to speak(=as one might say, even though the words are not exactly accurate), more or less, sort of, kind of
△ well, really, that is to say, at least, I’m afraid, I suppose, or rather, actually, I mean
△ E.g.
• I kind of think it’s more or less a crime.
• I love my golden retriever. She’s my baby, so to speak.
• Ghosts don’t exist. At least, I’ve never seen one.
4. showing one’s attitude to what one is saying 表明自己的态度
△ honestly, frankly, no doubt
△ honestly, frankly, 说实话
△ no doubt =probably, I suppose, not certainly
• The schools should no doubt spend twice as much on teachers as they do now. (我是这样认为的）
• No doubt you have already heard about the terrible storm we just had （你应该听说了吧）
• 比较：there is no doubt that the world is getting warmer.
5. referring to the other’s expectations 关于实际与预期
△ actually & in fact & as a matter of fact : 超出预期/想象的
• Did you meet the CEO? Yes, as a matter of fact/in fact/actually, he asked us to lunch.
△ actually, in fact, as a matter of fact, to tell the truth 表示对方的预期没有达到
• I hope you passed the exam. –actually/ in fact /as a matter of fact/to tell the truth/well, I didn’t.
• How was the holiday? - Actually/ in fact /as a matter of fact/to tell the truth/well, we didn’t go.
6. gaining time 争取更多思考时间
△ um /ʌm/, let me see, let’s see, well, you know, I mean, kind of, sort of, basically
• Why did you do that? ~ um, well, you know, I don’t know, really, I mean, it just sort of seemed a good idea
△ Well, OK, that’s a tough one. Let me see. Um…
