Discourse markers: o sea, es decir, de hecho, a fin de cuentas

Discourse markers are words and phrases that don't add content but tell the listener how to read what comes next: "I'm rephrasing", "here's stronger evidence", "this is a side point", "to conclude". You already use connectors such as sin embargo and por lo tanto (aunque, sin embargo, por eso, así que, además, Arguing: no obstante, por lo tanto, dado que, en cambio). The markers in this lesson are more about stance and conversation, and they are what learners most often misplace.

Reformulating: o sea, es decir, mejor dicho

• es decir, esto es (formal): "that is", a neutral clarification.
• o sea: the same in conversation; it often introduces a conclusion ("so, in other words").
• mejor dicho: corrects what you have just said, "or rather".

• Mañana tengo un examen, o sea, que no puedo salir esta noche.I've got an exam tomorrow, so I can't go out tonight.
• El alquiler ha subido un veinte por ciento, es decir, casi doscientos euros más al mes.The rent has gone up twenty percent, that is, almost two hundred euros more a month.
• La reunión es el lunes, mejor dicho, el martes.The meeting is on Monday, or rather, on Tuesday.

Reinforcing: de hecho, es más, encima

• de hecho: "in fact", evidence for what you said, or a fact that contradicts what others assume.
• es más: "what's more", an even stronger argument.
• encima: "on top of that", adds something negative (colloquial).

• Dicen que es un restaurante caro, pero de hecho los menús son bastante baratos.They say it's an expensive restaurant, but in fact the set menus are quite cheap.
• No es un mal candidato, es más, creo que es el mejor.He's not a bad candidate, in fact I think he's the best.
• El hotel estaba lejos y, encima, la habitación olía a tabaco.The hotel was far away and, on top of that, the room smelt of smoke.

Conceding and limiting: eso sí, ahora bien, de todas formas

• eso sí: accepts the main point but adds a condition or reservation, "mind you".
• ahora bien: "now, however", introduces an important qualification (more formal).
• de todas formas, de todos modos, en cualquier caso: "anyway, in any case", whatever was said before.

• Puedes venir con nosotros, eso sí, tendrás que pagar tu entrada.You can come with us; mind you, you'll have to pay for your ticket.
• Ahora bien, si no hay financiación, no habrá proyecto.That said, if there's no funding, there'll be no project.
• De todas formas, te llamo mañana y lo hablamos.Anyway, I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk about it.

Digressing: por cierto

• Por cierto, ¿has visto a Raúl últimamente?By the way, have you seen Raúl lately?

Concluding: a fin de cuentas, al fin y al cabo, en definitiva

• a fin de cuentas, al fin y al cabo, después de todo: "after all, at the end of the day", the consideration that should decide the matter.
• en definitiva, en resumen: "in short", to sum up (essays, reports).

• No te preocupes tanto, a fin de cuentas solo es un examen.Don't worry so much, at the end of the day it's only an exam.
• Al fin y al cabo, la decisión es suya.After all, it's their decision.
• En definitiva, el proyecto ha sido un éxito.In short, the project has been a success.

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Markers are usually set off by commas. In speech, a pause does the same job.

Latin America

O sea and es decir are universal. Encima is understood everywhere and is very common in Spain and the Río de la Plata; elsewhere you may also hear además or, colloquially, para colmo. In Argentina igual often means "anyway, even so" (Igual voy a ir).

Common mistakes

• Using de hecho as a filler for "actually" before any sentence. It must add evidence or correct an assumption.
• Using o sea in a formal essay: write es decir or esto es.
• Using encima for a positive addition: encima signals a complaint. For neutral additions, use además.
• Confusing eso sí (a limitation) with sí, eso (agreement).
• Ending an essay with total: it is colloquial; use en definitiva or en resumen.