Having Said That, I Do See Your Point
Discourse markers for structuring arguments. Leo proposes banning Wi-Fi during peak hours; the group debates, concedes, contrasts, and lands on a 'gentle nudge' instead.
📖 Reading: Should Cafés Be Wi-Fi-Free?
Leo has been thinking about banning Wi-Fi from Café Colibri during peak hours. He shared the idea at the Sunday group.
"Firstly, I think people stay too long when they're on their laptops," he began. "As a result, tables aren't available for other customers."
"That's true to some extent," said Maya. "However, a lot of freelancers — including me — depend on café Wi-Fi to work."
"I understand that. Having said that, I've noticed that people with laptops rarely buy more than one coffee in three hours."
"That's not entirely fair," said Priya. "For instance, I always buy two drinks and a pastry."
"Fair enough," said Leo. "Nevertheless, the overall pattern is clear. Furthermore, when people put away their phones and laptops, they actually talk to each other more."
"That's a good point," admitted Omar. "In fact, the best conversations I've had here have been when my phone was in my bag."
"On the other hand," said Jess, speaking from New York on a video call, "if I'd had no Wi-Fi last time I visited, I wouldn't have been able to join this call."
"Touché," said Leo. "All in all, maybe the answer isn't a ban — just a gentle nudge."
"In other words," said Maya, "a sign that says: please be present."
"Exactly," said Leo. "Well put."
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| peak hours | The busiest period of the day | n. — Tables aren't free during peak hours. |
| freelancer | A person who is self-employed and works for different companies | n. — Many freelancers depend on café Wi-Fi. |
| pattern | A regular, repeated arrangement or behaviour | n. — The overall pattern is clear. |
| nudge | A gentle push in a particular direction | n. — Not a ban — just a gentle nudge. |
| concession | An acknowledgement that something has some truth or merit | n. — 'Having said that' — a concession marker. |
| ban | To officially prohibit something; the act of prohibiting | v./n. — Leo thinks about banning Wi-Fi. |
| touché | Used to acknowledge a good point made by someone | excl. — Touché — that's a fair point. |
| present | Fully attentive to what is happening now | adj. — A sign that says: please be present. |
📚 Key Verbs & Structures in This Lesson | |
to depend on | Freelancers depend on café Wi-Fi. |
to notice | Leo has noticed a pattern. |
to admit | Omar admitted it was a good point. |
to ban | Leo is thinking about banning Wi-Fi. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Adding Information | |
Furthermore / Moreover | Moreover, when phones are away, people talk more. |
In addition / Also | In addition, the café atmosphere improves. |
Not only... but also | Not only do people stay longer, but they also buy less. |
Contrasting and Conceding
📚 Contrasting and Conceding | |
However / Nevertheless | I see your point. However, the pattern is clear. |
Having said that | That's true. Having said that, there are exceptions. |
Although / Even though | Although some buy more, most don't. |
On the other hand | On the other hand, some people need Wi-Fi to work. |
Giving Examples and Sequencing
📚 Giving Examples and Sequencing | |
For instance / For example | For instance, I always buy two drinks. |
Firstly / Secondly / Finally | Firstly... / Then... / Finally... |
In fact / Indeed | In fact, the best conversations happen without phones. |
Summarising and Concluding
📚 Summarising and Concluding | |
All in all / Overall | All in all, a nudge is better than a ban. |
In other words | In other words, a sign that says: please be present. |
To sum up / In conclusion | To sum up, balance is the key. |
🎭 Dialogue: Let's Discuss
The Sunday group debates Leo's Wi-Fi-free idea. Concessions, counter-points, and a smarter compromise — every line is a discourse marker.
I've been thinking about removing Wi-Fi during peak hours.
I understand your concern. However, a lot of us rely on it to work.
That's true. Having said that, people with laptops tend to buy less.
That's not entirely fair. For instance, I always buy at least two coffees.
Fair enough. Nevertheless, the overall pattern is clear.
On the other hand, if the atmosphere improves, more people might come.
All in all, maybe a sign is better than a ban.
In other words — be present. I love it.
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Why does Leo want to limit Wi-Fi use?
What does Maya say about freelancers?
What does Omar admit about his best conversations?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Choose: 'I enjoy coffee. ___ , I try not to drink too much.'
Choose: 'The café has great food. ___ , the coffee is excellent.'
Choose: 'People stay too long. ___ , tables aren't available.'
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model and extend it.
- Student A: Choose a topic (technology in schools / remote work / learning English) and present 3 arguments for a position.
- Student B: Respond with counter-arguments and concessions.
- Both students must use at least 6 different discourse markers from this lesson.
- Conclude with a summary using All in all… or To sum up…