Discourse Marker: 'In other words' (Clarification)

This phrase is a discourse marker for clarification. It signals that a restatement is coming next. You aren't adding new information here. Instead, you are simplifying the previous point. It works by linking two independent clauses. The first clause contains the "difficult" version. The second clause contains the "easy" version. It creates a logical flow in your speech. You can use it in writing too. It helps readers follow your complex arguments. It is like a grammar safety net. If your first sentence fails, the second one succeeds.

1. 1Using this phrase is quite straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfect results:
2. 2State your first complete idea clearly.
3. 3Place a period or a semicolon.
4. 4Write the phrase In other words exactly.
5. 5Add a comma immediately after the phrase.
6. 6State your simplified or clarified idea.
7. 7Example: "The company is facing a liquidity crisis. In other words, we have no cash."

Use this when you use technical jargon. Maybe you are talking to a non-expert. It is perfect for explaining medical or legal terms. Use it when your first sentence was too long. We all get lost in our sentences sometimes. It is great for summarizing a long story. Use it in job interviews to show precision. It works well when ordering complex food. "I want no gluten or dairy. In other words, just the salad."

Do not use it to introduce new facts. If the second part adds something new, stop. Use furthermore or also instead. Avoid using it if the first part was simple. Saying "I am hungry; in other words, I want food" is annoying. It makes you sound a bit condescending. Don't use it more than once per paragraph. Overuse makes your writing feel very repetitive. It is like using too much salt in a dish. A little bit goes a long way.

Many people forget the comma after the phrase. This makes the sentence hard to read. Another mistake is using it as a conjunction. You cannot say "I'm tired in other words I'm sleeping." You need that period or semicolon first. Some people use it to mean "actually." This is incorrect and confuses the listener. Don't use it to change the subject. It must relate back to the previous sentence. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! Just keep your two ideas closely linked.

Compare in other words with that is to say. That is to say is much more formal. You might find it in a law book. In other words is better for daily life. Then there is to put it simply. This one implies the first part was very hard. Use to put it simply when you are being blunt. Namely is another similar phrase you might know. However, namely is used for listing specific things. In other words is for rephrasing the whole idea. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener to pause and refocus.