Standing (a little) Aside From What You’re Saying
In English, we use certain phrases to tell our audience or listener that what we are saying should not to be taken too seriously or literally. We also use these phrases to distance ourselves from controversial ideas or words.
Title: Standing a little aside from what you’re saying
Author: John Swales
Date: August, 2003
Summary: These phrases communicate to the listeners that the speaker is not to be taken too seriously at this moment, not too literally. When speakers use this kind of phrase they stand a little aside from what they are saying; they detach, distance or disassociate themselves somewhat from the actual words. Look at these extracts and decide which contain a stand-aside, and which don’t. Then examine proper placement of these phrases in discourse.
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