We use oh as a discourse marker to respond to new information or to show that we have just discovered something surprising. We often use it with other discourse markers:
I can’t find the switch. Oh righthere it is.
A:
I need to talk to you urgently.
We often use oh in responses with statements beginning with that’s:
A:
I tried to book a table at The Quays but they are booked out for Friday night.
B:
Ohthat’s a pity. We could try that new placeThe Corn Market. I’ve heard it’s good.
A:
Some great news. I got the job in Manchester.
B:
Ohthat’s wonderful. Congratulations.
We often make oh more positive by adding yesand more negative by adding no:
A:
The council has agreed to give us some money for the town festival.
B:
Oh yes! That’s great news.
A:
The weather forecast says it’s going to rain tomorrow.
We use oh right when we want to acknowledge what has been said and to politely introduce a contradiction:
A:
I’ve been trying to phone Joe this morning to get an update. He doesn’t seem to be in his office.
B:
Oh right. WellI did see his car in the car park.
We use oh yeah with a rising intonation as a response token when we are listening to and responding to a story. It shows that we are very interested and want the story to continue:
A:
So then she decided to tell him what had happened.
A:
He wasn’t very pleased and then …
We use oh well to acknowledge that what has been said is disappointing. We often add a suggestion after oh well:
A:
Liz can’t come so one of us will have to drive.
B:
Oh well. Let’s just get a taxi between us.
We use oh dear to respond to bad news:
A:
Veronica’s been in an accident. She’s in hospital.
B:
Oh dear. What happened?
