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Lesson 168 of 240

New here? This is lesson 168 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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The short version in English

Ana has a long update for Marcus at the studio. He wants the point in three sentences, not the whole story of the drawings.

He stops her mid-sentence and asks for the short version. She starts with the need, then the why.

You will learn how to give the point first, say why, and check that the other person followed.

The short version names the main need. Basically sums it up in plain words.

By the end of this lesson

Give the point first, then explain.

  • The short version is, we need time.The first thing to know is we do not have enough time.
  • Here's why: the drawings aren't clear.The reason is the pictures of the plan are hard to read.
  • Basically, we're behind.The simple truth is the work is late.
  • Does that make sense?Do you understand what I said?
  • It's not as difficult as it sounds.It is easier than people think.
  • In simple words, start with the plan.Say it the easy way: begin with the main idea.

Scene — three sentences

Same weekday at the architecture studio downtown. Ana has rolled drawings under her arm and a long update ready.

Marcus sits at a long desk with plants and a blank whiteboard. He hates long meetings and wants the plan in three sentences.

The library renovation is behind. The drawings are hard to read. He waits for the short version.

Ana stands with rolled drawings beside the long desk while Marcus settles in for a short meeting.

Learn — the point first

Six short lines help you give the point first, then the why.

You'll also check if it made sense and say it in simple words.

  1. Ana raises one finger as she begins her update, and Marcus waits at the desk.

    The short version is, we need time.

    The first thing to know is we do not have enough time.

    When to use it: Say this first when someone wants the main point.

    The short version names the main point before you explain.

  2. Ana opens the drawings to show that the plan pictures are difficult to read.

    Here's why: the drawings aren't clear.

    The reason is the pictures of the plan are hard to read.

    When to use it: Say this next when you give the reason.

    Here's is here is as one piece, and then you give the reason.

    Say it: Keep the t in aren't, so it is not are.

  3. Ana gives Marcus the blunt update that the work is late.

    Basically, we're behind.

    The simple truth is the work is late.

    When to use it: Use this to sum up the simple truth.

    we're is we are as one piece.

    Say it: Stress the first syllable: BAY.

  4. Ana leans toward Marcus to check whether he understands the update.

    Does that make sense?

    Do you understand what I said?

    When to use it: Ask this after you explain, to check they followed.

    This is a friendly check, not a test.

  5. Marcus considers the plan and responds with calm confidence.

    It's not as difficult as it sounds.

    It is easier than people think.

    When to use it: Say this when a plan sounds harder than it is.

    Keep the whole line as one piece when a thing sounds hard.

    Say it: The stress is on dif.

  6. Ana sets the drawings down and uses them to begin with the main idea.

    In simple words, start with the plan.

    Say it the easy way: begin with the main idea.

    When to use it: Use this to say the easy way to begin.

    In simple words means say it the easy way.

Story — marcus wants the short version

Watch Ana give Marcus the short version. He wants the point first, then the why.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The studio is quiet. Rolled drawings sit on the long desk.
  2. MarcusAna, let's keep it to thirty minutes.Let's make the meeting short.
  3. AnaRight. So I went through every page, and then the stairs.She starts a long update about the drawings.
  4. MarcusThe short version first.He wants the main point now.
  5. AnaSorry, I wasn't clear.I should have explained better.
  6. MarcusJust the point.He wants only the main idea.
  7. AnaThe short version is, we need time.The first thing to know is we do not have enough time.
  8. MarcusOkay. Why?He asks for the reason.
  9. AnaHere's why: the drawings aren't clear.The reason is the pictures of the plan are hard to read.
  10. MarcusSo where does that leave us?He asks for the simple result.
  11. AnaBasically, we're behind. Does that make sense?The work is late, and she checks that he followed.
  12. MarcusThat makes sense.I understand and I accept that idea.
  13. He nods and looks at the drawings.
  14. MarcusIt's not as difficult as it sounds.It is easier than people think.
  15. AnaIn simple words, start with the plan.Say it the easy way: begin with the main idea.
  16. MarcusGood. Start with the plan and we'll get time.He accepts the plan and the need for time.

Practice — point, why, and check

Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay short, like a meeting Marcus would like.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    The short version is, we need time.Drop the Simple English here
    Here's why: the drawings aren't clear.Drop the Simple English here
    Basically, we're behind.Drop the Simple English here
    Does that make sense?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    The library plan seems hard. Tell Marcus it is easier than people think.

  4. What does it mean?

    Here's why: the drawings aren't clear.

  5. Fill the gap

    Say it the easy way: begin with the main idea.

    In simple words, ____.

  6. Build the line

    The simple truth is the work is late.

    , .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    Does that make sense?

    Do you understand what I said?

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    Tell Marcus the main need: you do not have enough time.

    The short version is, we need ____.

  9. True or false?

    This line checks that the other person followed you.

  10. What do you say?

    You start a meeting and want it short.

  11. What do you say?

    You started a long update. You want to say you should have explained better.

Say it — say it short

Now you're Ana in the studio meeting. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. MarcusLet's keep it to thirty minutes.Let's make the meeting short.
  2. Ana (you)Give the main point first: you do not have enough time.

    The short version is, we need time.

    The first thing to know is we do not have enough time.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
The short version is, we need time.The first thing to know is we do not have enough time.
Here's why: the drawings aren't clear.The reason is the pictures of the plan are hard to read.
Basically, we're behind.The simple truth is the work is late.
Does that make sense?Do you understand what I said?
It's not as difficult as it sounds.It is easier than people think.
In simple words, start with the plan.Say it the easy way: begin with the main idea.
Next: lesson 169In other words

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these short versions handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps the point first, then the why.

Open Yak Cards