Signal words and phrases

Signal Words and Phrases

Knowing the signal words and phrases below can help listeners understand the organization of lectures, conservations, and interviews. Using signal words in spoken responses helps listeners understand and follow the response.

“For example” is a very common signal phrase that speakers use to introduce an example. Other common signals include:	“There are three reasons why…” “First… Second… Third…” “What I want to talk about is…” “And most important,…” “A major development…” “Why it was so important…”
An instructor may signal supporting details with phrases such as:	“On the other hand…”                “So…” “Last time…”                              “And in fact,…” “On the contrary…”                    “Further,…” “For example,…”                        “A term for…” “Just like…”                                “Furthermore,…” “Similarly…”                              “As an example,…” “In contrast…”                            “For instance,…” “Also,…”                                     “But…”
An instruction may signal conclusion or summary with:	“Therefore,…”                             “Finally,…” “In conclusion,…”                       “In summary,…” “In other words,…”                     “From this we see that…” “As a result,…”
A speaker may signal important information very directly with:	“Now this is important…”           “Remember that…” “The thing about…”                     “The important idea is that...”