Marcadores discursivos: however, moreover, nonetheless, on the contrary
Estos marcadores conectan ideas en textos y presentaciones de forma clara y académica. Son muy típicos de nivel B2 para contrastar, añadir información y oponerse a lo dicho.
1) Mapa rápido
BUT = sencillo, neutro
HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS, NONETHELESS = contraste más formal
MOREOVER = “además” para sumar argumentos
ON THE CONTRARY = lo anterior es falso, la verdad es X
En B2 es importante variar: no solo but, sino usar estos marcadores para que tu texto suene más organizado y profesional.
Piensa en bloques: contraste (however), suma (moreover), oposición fuerte (on the contrary) y resultado (therefore).
2) However vs but
but es muy frecuente pero informal/neutral. En textos B2, se prefiere variar con however dentro de la frase o al inicio.
| Marcador | Posición típica | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| but | entre dos cláusulas, en la misma frase | I like online courses, but I prefer face-to-face classes. |
| however | • inicio de frase • tras punto y seguido • dentro de la frase, con comas | I like online courses. However, I prefer face-to-face classes. Online courses are flexible. They can be, however, quite lonely. |
however es más formal que but y suele ir separado por comas o punto. No se usa con una coma simple como: *, however I…* en writing formal; mejor: *. However, I…*.
3) Moreover, furthermore, in addition (añadir argumentos)
Sirven para añadir información de forma elegante, especialmente en ensayos y emails formales.
| Marcador | Uso típico | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| moreover | Añadir un argumento importante que refuerza el anterior. Suena bastante formal. | Learning English can improve your career. Moreover, it allows you to travel more easily. |
| furthermore | Similar a moreover, ligeramente más formal. | The city needs more green spaces. Furthermore, public transport should be improved. |
| in addition (to this) | Añadir información extra; puede usarse con o sin “to this”. | The job offers a good salary. In addition, there are excellent training opportunities. |
En un párrafo de opinión puedes usar la secuencia: Firstly,… Secondly,… Moreover,….
4) Nevertheless, nonetheless, however (contraste formal)
nevertheless y nonetheless significan prácticamente lo mismo que however, pero suenan más formales/literarios.
| Marcador | Matiz | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| however | Contraste estándar, muy común en writing académico. | Many people believe social media is harmful. However, it can also be a powerful tool for education. |
| nevertheless | “Aun así / no obstante” → enfatiza que algo es cierto a pesar de lo dicho antes. | The task was extremely difficult. Nevertheless, they completed it on time. |
| nonetheless | Muy similar a nevertheless, quizá un poco menos frecuente. | The evidence was limited. Nonetheless, the results were encouraging. |
En B2 no es obligatorio usar nevertheless/nonetheless todo el tiempo, pero sí entenderlos y usarlos de vez en cuando para variedad.
5) On the other hand vs On the contrary
Muchos estudiantes confunden estos dos marcadores. En realidad, su función es diferente:
| Marcador | Se usa para… | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| on the other hand | Presentar otra perspectiva o el “lado B” de una cuestión. No dice que lo anterior sea falso, solo ofrece contraste. | Studying abroad is very expensive. On the other hand, it can be an unforgettable experience. |
| on the contrary | Decir que lo anterior es falso y que la verdad es lo contrario. Se usa para refutar. | “English is easy.” – On the contrary, many learners find it quite challenging. |
Correcto:
Some people think technology isolates us. On the other hand, it helps us stay in touch with friends abroad.
Refutación:
Some say teenagers are lazy. On the contrary, many of them work very hard.
Si solo quieres “otra cara de la moneda”, usa on the other hand. Usa on the contrary solo cuando realmente contradices lo anterior.
6) Errores comunes con marcadores discursivos
| Incorrecto | Correcto | Comentario |
|---|---|---|
| *I like my job, however it is stressful.* | I like my job. However, it is stressful. | En writing formal, mejor separar however con punto y coma o punto y seguido, no solo coma. |
| *The city is crowded, moreover it is noisy.* | The city is crowded. Moreover, it is noisy. / The city is crowded and, in addition, it is noisy. | Moreover suele ir al inicio de la frase nueva, no después de coma como “conector débil”. |
| *He is poor, on the contrary he is happy.* | He is poor. On the other hand, he is happy. / He is poor, but he is happy. | Aquí no se niega que sea pobre, solo se presenta otra perspectiva, por eso va on the other hand, no on the contrary. |
| *I studied a lot, nevertheless I failed the exam.* (con coma) | I studied a lot; nevertheless, I failed the exam. | En textos cuidados, usa punto y coma o punto antes de nevertheless/however. |
| *In the other hand, technology is useful.* | On the other hand, technology is useful. | Expresión fija → siempre on the other hand, nunca “in”. |
En exámenes, la puntuación cuenta: usa coma, punto o punto y coma correctamente alrededor de estos marcadores.
7) Mini-práctica
- Completa con el marcador adecuado: however, moreover, nonetheless, on the contrary, on the other hand.
a) Many people think video games are a waste of time. ______, they can improve problem-solving skills.
b) Public transport is often crowded. ______, it is usually cheaper than driving.
c) I was very tired. ______, I decided to go to the gym.
d) Some people say young people are not interested in politics. ______, many of them are very active online.
e) The project is expensive. ______, it may save a lot of money in the future. - Elige la opción más natural:
a) The city is beautiful. (However / Moreover), it is very safe.
b) I didn’t study much; (however / nonetheless), I passed the exam.
c) Some people believe technology destroys communication. (On the other hand / On the contrary), we can now talk to anyone in the world.
d) Many experts think the plan will fail. (However / On the contrary), they all agree it is worth trying. - Reescribe usando un marcador discursivo más avanzado (reemplaza but / and):
a) I wanted to go out, but it was raining.
b) The hotel was cheap and it was very comfortable.
c) She is very intelligent and she works hard.
d) The film was long, but it was interesting.
e) The course is difficult and it is also very useful. - Corrige si es necesario:
a) I like living in a big city, however it is noisy.
b) The company is small, in the other hand it is successful.
c) Many say English is boring. On the other hand, I enjoy it a lot.
d) We studied a lot, nonetheless we passed the exam easily.
e) The town is small, moreover there is not much to do. - (Producción guiada) Escribe un pequeño párrafo (4–5 frases) sobre este tema:
“Ventajas y desventajas de trabajar desde casa.”
Usa al menos tres de estos marcadores: however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, on the contrary.
Respuestas ejemplo (orientativas):
1) (una posible solución)
a) However / On the other hand · b) However / On the other hand
c) Nonetheless · d) On the contrary · e) Moreover
2) a) However · b) nonetheless · c) On the other hand · d) However
3) a) I wanted to go out. However, it was raining.
b) The hotel was cheap. Moreover, it was very comfortable.
c) She is very intelligent. In addition, she works hard.
d) The film was long; however, it was interesting.
e) The course is difficult. Nevertheless, it is very useful.
4) a) I like living in a big city. However, it is noisy.
b) The company is small. On the other hand, it is successful.
c) Correcta como contraste de ideas (no niega lo anterior).
d) We studied a lot, so we passed the exam easily. (Aquí “nonetheless” no tiene sentido).
e) The town is small. Moreover, there is not much to do. (aceptable, aunque “however” también podría funcionar según el sentido).
5) Respuesta libre; comprueba que los marcadores están bien puntuados (comas/puntos).
8) Próximo paso
Continúa con Registro formal vs neutral (e-mails, informes), donde verás cómo adaptar el nivel de formalidad de tu inglés según el tipo de texto (correo a un amigo vs. informe para el trabajo, por ejemplo).