Indicating a change in a conversation

10.82 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 the 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 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.

10.84 Prepositional phrases can sometimes be used to introduce a new topic or a different aspect of the same topic. 'As to' or 'as for' can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a slightly different topic.

As to what actually transpired at the headquarters, there are many differing accounts.

We will continue to expand our economy. As for the US, we will ask that they take steps to reduce their budget deficit.

'With' and 'in the case of' can be used to mention another thing that is involved in a type of situation that was previously mentioned.

With goats, for example, mother and infant form a close bond in the first five minutes of a kid's life.

The changes will be even more striking and effective in the case of teaching than in medicine.