Explaining and Clarifying

When to use: making something clearer, expanding on a point

Chunks in this category (18)

• What I mean by that is…▾

  • I'm tired of my job. What I mean by that is, I need a change.
  • The hotel was okay. What I mean by that is it was clean but noisy.
  • Our kids eat well. What I mean by that is they finish their vegetables.
• To give you an example…▾

  • Prices keep going up. To give you an example, bread costs double now.
  • My boss is very strict. To give you an example, we can't leave early.
  • To give you an example, last week it rained every single day.
• Think of it this way…▾

  • Don't worry about the cost. Think of it this way: it's a gift to yourself.
  • Think of it this way: the gym is cheaper than a doctor later.
  • Losing the job hurts, I know. Think of it this way: now you're free to choose.
• In other words…▾

  • The shop opens late on Sundays. In other words, don't go early.
  • My brother is between jobs. In other words, he's looking for work.
  • The flight is full. In other words, we can't get seats.
• To put it simply…▾

  • The plan has many parts. To put it simply, we save more each month.
  • To put it simply, the car needs a new engine.
  • So what did the doctor say? To put it simply, rest and drink water.
• The reason I say that is…▾

  • I'd skip that restaurant. The reason I say that is the food was cold last time.
  • Bring a jacket. The reason I say that is it gets windy near the beach.
  • She'll be a great manager. The reason I say that is everyone trusts her.
• What that basically means is…▾

  • The office is closing early. What that basically means is we finish at three.
  • My knee needs surgery. What that basically means is no running for months.
  • Storm warning tonight. What that basically means is the trains stop running.
• If that makes sense…▾

  • I like cooking, but not every day. If that makes sense.
  • I want a quiet holiday, but not boring. If that makes sense.
  • We should start small and grow later. If that makes sense.
• To be more specific…▾

  • I need new shoes. To be more specific, running shoes for the road.
  • We're meeting next week. To be more specific, Tuesday at ten.
  • The pain is in my back. To be more specific, just below the shoulder.
• Let me put it another way…▾

  • Sorry, that wasn't clear. Let me put it another way: we're over budget.
  • You don't follow? Okay. Let me put it another way: the job needs more people.
  • Hmm, that sounded confusing. Let me put it another way: if it rains, we eat inside.
• What I'm getting at is…▾

  • You work late every night. What I'm getting at is you need a break.
  • The kids love the park. What I'm getting at is maybe we should move nearer.
  • What I'm getting at is we could save money by cooking at home.
• Just to clarify…▾

  • Just to clarify, the meeting is at two, not three?
  • So we're sharing the bill? Just to clarify, I pay for drinks only?
  • Just to clarify, you want the blue one, not the green one?
• The point I'm trying to make is…▾

  • I like my job. The point I'm trying to make is I need more free time.
  • The point I'm trying to make is we can't afford a big wedding.
  • Cars are useful, but The point I'm trying to make is walking is healthier.
• The way it works is…▾

  • The way it works is you pay monthly and cancel anytime.
  • How does the gym card work? The way it works is you scan it at the door.
  • The library app is easy. The way it works is you reserve books online.
• The main idea is that…▾

  • The new diet is simple. The main idea is that you eat less sugar.
  • The main idea is that everyone shares the cooking at home.
  • What's the book about? The main idea is that small habits change your life.
• To break it down…▾

  • The trip costs a lot. To break it down, flights are half of it.
  • To break it down, first we pack, then we load the car.
  • My day is busy. To break it down, work, gym, then cooking.
• Let me explain what I mean…▾

  • That sounds confusing, sorry. Let me explain what I mean The meeting moved to Friday.
  • I said the hotel was strange. Let me explain what I mean The rooms had no doors.
  • Let me explain what I mean The plan is cheaper, but slower.
• What happens is…▾

  • My laptop is broken. What happens is it turns off after ten minutes.
  • What happens is the kids get bored, then they start fighting.
  • Every Monday, What happens is the traffic gets really bad.