In the twenty-first century spaceships will visit all the plan­ets, including Pluto.

Professor Fry has studied various aquatic mammals, espe­cially whales and dolphins.

They are used to show how you organise points in your speech.

Narrative Linkers: at first, at the start, at the be­ginning, in the beginning, at the end, in the end, at last, finally, eventually.

A note: narrative linkers can be chronological and contrasting, and are not all used quite in the same way.

Chronological narrative linkers are: at the start, at the beginning, at the end.

Contrasting narrative linkers are: at first, in the beginning, in the end, at last, finally, eventually.

1. At first and in the beginning indicate a contrast later (we expect to hear, but later the circumstances changed), while in the end suggests a contrast earlier (be­fore there were problems and uncer­tainty).

2. Finally and eventually suggest a long wait. The outcome may be positive or negative.

3. At last indicates a very long wait with a positive outcome.

Rephrasing and correcting: in other words, or rather, at least

1. We use in other words when we EX­PLAIN a point, often in simpler language.

2. We use or rather to correct something we have just said.

3. We use at least when we correct our­selves with a 'weaker' statement, one which doesn4 go so far. It usually takes a comma and can begin a sentence or come after or.

Reality markers: (but) in fact, (and) indeed, actu­ally, as a matter of fact Two uses of in fact:

1. The second sentence strengthens the first.

2. The second clause contradicts the idea in the previous clause.

Two uses of indeed:

1. Indeed sounds a little more formal than in fact. We can use it instead of in fact when we want to strengthen our previous sentence. (Notice that we cannot use in­deed instead of but in fact.)

1. We can use and indeed when there is some evidence to support a fact, but we still have DOUBTS. The meaning is 'it is certainly true that, but..,)

Actually and as a matter of fact

Exapmle:

Firstly I'd like to deal with the present situation. Then (sec­ond/ next) I will deal with our future plans.

Examples:

At the start (at the beginning), die hero is rich and suc­cessful. At the end, everything has gone wrong.

Exapmles:

He did not reach the required standard. In other words, he failed. (The second sentence explains the meaning of the first, using simpler language.)

It was late at night when he caine home. Or rather, it was early in the morning. (The second sentence corrects the first by giving more exact information.)

He's asleep. At least, his eyes are closed. ("Eyes closed" doesn’t go so far as "being asleep".)

He's leaving on Monday - or at least, he says he is.

Examples:

I don't like him. In fact, I can't stand him.

People think I don't like Harry, but in fact, he is a good friend.

Our results this year have been satisfactory. Indeed, they are the best results we have had for several years. (A formal report; the second sentence strengthens the first. The mean­ing is the same as with in fact.)

He was said to be 110 years old, and indeed he could re­member events from long ago. Nevertheless, I never found out his real age. (— I admit he was old, but have doubts about whether or not he was 110.)

Examples: