Adversative Marker
Pattern
but / however / yet / nevertheless / on the other hand — contrast signal
Definition
A discourse marker that signals contrast, concession, or contradiction between adjacent ideas. Prepares the reader for information that conflicts with or qualifies the preceding point.
Examples
Example 1
The experiment was well-designed. However, the sample size was too small to draw firm conclusions.
"However" signals that the following information contradicts the positive evaluation that preceded it
Example 2
Renewable energy costs have fallen dramatically. That said, fossil fuels still dominate global energy production.
"That said" acknowledges the previous point while pivoting to a complicating factor
Example 3
She was talented. But talent alone was never going to be enough.
Simple "but" creates a more abrupt, dramatic contrast than formal markers — common in narrative
AI Detection Note
AI uses 'however' and 'that said' with extremely high frequency, often as part of the concession-rebuttal pattern ('While X, however Y'). The regular alternation between concessive and adversative markers is a strong AI signature.
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