To emphasize what you say

• Clearly, an increase in tourists would mean more money for the community.

• Obviously, an increase in tourists would mean more money for the community.

• Of course, an increase in tourists would mean more money for the community.

• Needless to say, an increase in tourists would mean more money for the community.

• In particular, an increase in tourists would mean more money for the community.

To express reality

• In fact, many people do not take any daily exercise whatsoever.

• As a matter of fact, many people do not take any daily exercise whatsoever.

• The fact of the matter is that many people do not take any daily exercise whatsoever.

• Actually, many people do not take any daily exercise whatsoever.

• In practice, many people do not take any daily exercise whatsoever.

To express difference between appearance and reality

• At first sight, fast food looks good but it is actually extremely unhealthy.

• Apparently, fast food looks good but it is actually extremely unhealthy.

• On the face of it, fast food looks good but it is actually extremely unhealthy.

To bring up other points or aspects

• As far as the government is concerned, they passed a law dealing with this issue last month.

• Regarding the government, they passed a law dealing with this issue last month.

• As for the government, they passed a law dealing with this issue last month.

• With regard to the government, they passed a law dealing with this issue last month.

To give examples

• For instance, 50% of families go abroad for their holidays every year.

• For example, 50% of families go abroad for their holidays every year.

To refer to what actually happens

• In practice, students spend more time watching television than doing their homework.

• In effect, students spend more time watching television than doing their homework.

To make general statements

• As a rule, the idea has been a great success.

• Generally, the idea has been a great success.

• In general, the idea has been a great success.

To make partly correct statements

• Up to a point, this behaviour is an indicator of people's attitudes towards such plans.

• To a certain extent, this behaviour is an indicator of people's attitudes towards such plans.

• To some extent, this behaviour is an indicator of people's attitudes towards such plans.

• In a sense, this behaviour is an indicator of peo­ple's attitudes towards such plans.

• In a way, this behaviour is an indicator of people's attitudes towards such plans.

To express limit of knowledge

• To the best of my knowledge, this kind of corruption could have been going on for years.

• As far as I know, this kind of corruption could have been going on for years.

• For all I know, this kind of corruption could have been going on for years.

To state other people's opinion

• It is popularly believed that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• People often claim that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• Contrary to popular belief, the influence of television has not led to an increase in crime.

• It is a fact that the influence of television has led to I an increase in crime.

• It is often alleged that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• People argue that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• Many people argue that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• A lot of people think that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

• A lot of people believe that the influence of television has led to an increase in crime.

To express balance (the other side of the argument)

• ... while longer working hours will mean that people will have less leisure time.

• On the other hand, longer working hours will mean that people will have less leisure time.

• ... whereas longer working hours will mean that people will have less leisure time.

• On the other hand, longer working hours will mean that people will have less leisure time.