To contextualize this
Presentation and public speaking expression
Use this to explain the background story before someone jumps to the wrong conclusion.
In 15 Sekunden
- Provides necessary background for a specific fact.
- Commonly used in presentations and professional writing.
- Helps listeners understand the 'big picture' easily.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used to provide the background information or circumstances needed to fully understand a specific point or fact.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Explaining a high price to a client
To contextualize this, our materials are sourced from fair-trade farms.
To contextualize this, our materials are sourced from fair-trade farms.
Explaining a movie plot to a friend
To contextualize this, the main character has never left his house before.
To contextualize this, the main character has never left his house before.
A formal business presentation about growth
To contextualize this 5% growth, most of our competitors saw a loss.
To contextualize this 5% growth, most of our competitors saw a loss.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This phrase reflects the Western emphasis on 'data-driven storytelling' in professional settings. It became a buzzword in the late 20th century as information became more complex. It signals that the speaker is analytical and values clarity over just stating raw facts.
The 'Power Pause'
Pause for one second after saying this phrase. it builds anticipation and makes your explanation sound more important.
Don't Over-Explain
Only use this when the context is actually needed. If you use it for obvious things, you might sound condescending.
In 15 Sekunden
- Provides necessary background for a specific fact.
- Commonly used in presentations and professional writing.
- Helps listeners understand the 'big picture' easily.
What It Means
Imagine showing someone a single puzzle piece. They cannot see the whole picture yet. To contextualize this is how you show them the rest of the box. You are giving your listeners the 'why' and the 'how' behind a fact. It helps people understand the true importance of your message. It turns a dry statistic into a meaningful story.
How To Use It
You usually say this right before you provide background info. Use it to bridge a data point and a story. For example, 'Our sales dropped. To contextualize this, the whole market is down.' It makes you sound organized and thoughtful. You are guiding your listener's brain to the right conclusion. It acts as a logical bridge between facts.
When To Use It
Use it during work presentations or serious discussions. It is perfect when you share a statistic that sounds scary. It also works when explaining a complicated family story. If you are writing an essay, it is a great transition. Use it when you want to avoid being misunderstood. It is a favorite for public speakers and teachers.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple, everyday things. Don't say it when telling someone your favorite color. It sounds too stiff for a first date. Avoid it if you are just making small talk. If the situation is very casual, try Basically instead. Overusing it in a text can make you sound like a textbook. Keep it for when things actually need explaining.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from academic and corporate worlds. In Western business culture, data is nothing without a story. We love to know the reasoning behind the numbers. It shows you have done your homework. It became very popular in the 1990s in management circles. Now, it is a staple of professional English everywhere.
Common Variations
You might hear In context or To put this in perspective. Some people say Let me set the scene. Others use For some background. All of these do the same job. They prepare the listener for the deeper meaning. They all signal that more information is coming.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a high-level transition phrase. It is best suited for professional environments or when you need to sound authoritative and clear.
The 'Power Pause'
Pause for one second after saying this phrase. it builds anticipation and makes your explanation sound more important.
Don't Over-Explain
Only use this when the context is actually needed. If you use it for obvious things, you might sound condescending.
The Corporate Shield
In US business culture, people often use this phrase to 'soften' bad news by explaining the external factors first.
Beispiele
6To contextualize this, our materials are sourced from fair-trade farms.
To contextualize this, our materials are sourced from fair-trade farms.
The speaker explains the 'why' behind a potentially negative fact (high cost).
To contextualize this, the main character has never left his house before.
To contextualize this, the main character has never left his house before.
Provides the necessary backstory to understand the character's actions.
To contextualize this 5% growth, most of our competitors saw a loss.
To contextualize this 5% growth, most of our competitors saw a loss.
Makes a small number seem more impressive by comparing it to the market.
To contextualize this, he hasn't messaged me in three years.
To contextualize this, he hasn't messaged me in three years.
Slightly formal for a text, but adds dramatic weight to the news.
To contextualize this, it was much funnier in the original language!
To contextualize this, it was much funnier in the original language!
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates a humorous effect.
To contextualize this decision, I have been feeling very burnt out lately.
To contextualize this decision, I have been feeling very burnt out lately.
Helps the listener empathize with the speaker's difficult choice.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best phrase to provide background for a surprising statistic.
Our team failed the goal. ___, we were missing three key members.
This phrase correctly introduces the reason or background for the failure.
Complete the sentence in a professional email.
___, the budget was set before the inflation spike.
This provides the necessary background for why the budget might be insufficient.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of Providing Context
Used with close friends for quick explanations.
Basically...
Standard way to give background in conversation.
To give you some background...
Professional setting, presentations, or academic writing.
To contextualize this...
When to use 'To contextualize this'
Boardroom Meeting
Explaining quarterly results.
History Lecture
Explaining the cause of a war.
Serious Heart-to-Heart
Explaining a life-changing choice.
News Report
Giving background on a new law.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt means to place a fact or event into a set of circumstances that help explain it. Think of it as giving the 'surrounding story' to a single event.
No, to summarize shortens a long story. To contextualize this adds more information to help explain a short fact.
Yes, but it sounds a bit serious. Use it if you are explaining something complex or if you want to sound a little dramatic.
Absolutely. It is a very common and respected transition phrase in essays and research papers to introduce background data.
You can say To give you an idea of the situation or simply So, here is the deal.
Usually, yes. It acts as an introductory phrase that prepares the listener for the explanation that follows.
Yes, that refers to something previously mentioned, while this refers to the point you are about to explain or have just stated.
Yes, it is used globally in professional English, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
Using it without actually providing context. Make sure the next sentence actually explains the background!
Yes. For example: I'm late. To contextualize this, there was a major accident on the highway. It sounds more professional than just an excuse.
Verwandte Redewendungen
To put this in perspective
To compare something to other things to show its true importance.
For some background
A slightly less formal way to introduce the history of a situation.
By way of explanation
A very formal way to start an explanation for an action or event.
Against this backdrop
Used to describe the general situation in which something is happening.
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