English - Simple Explanations

Lesson 45 of 139

A friendly teacher explaining simple cause-and-effect phrases in English, suitable for B1 learners.

Goal: Short frames to explain cause, purpose, and meaning

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome back — this lesson focuses on clear, short ways to explain things. Have fun practicing small natural phrases you can use right away.

Level B1: In this lesson you will practice simple explanation frames like Because of ___, ___., If ___, then ___., and phrases to check understanding. These ready-to-use chunks help you explain causes, purposes, and the main point in everyday conversation. CEFR-aligned and useful for meetings, study groups, or quick clarifications.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use short frames to explain cause and result (e.g., Because of ___, ___.).
  • Summarize or simplify an idea (e.g., Basically, ___; In simple words, ___.).
  • Check understanding and explain purpose or condition (e.g., Does that make sense?; If ___, then ___.).
  • Level B1: feel more confident giving short, clear explanations in conversation.
Two coworkers planning short meetings while practicing simple explanation frames in English.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Because of ___, ___.

Explain a cause and result simply

Meaning: Explain a cause and result simply.

When to use: Use this when you want to say why something happened and its result in one sentence.

Tip: Don't forget to include both cause and result; beginners sometimes say only 'because of' without the outcome.

Because of the storm, the game was canceled.
Because of the storm, the game was canceled.
Because of traffic, I'm late.
Because of traffic, I'm late.

In simple words, ___.

Restate something in simpler language

Meaning: Restate something in simpler language.

When to use: Use this when you want to make a complex idea easier to understand.

In simple words, the app saves your work automatically.
In simple words, the app saves your work automatically.
In simple words, we share notes after the meeting.
In simple words, we share notes after the meeting.

The idea is to ___.

Explain the basic point of a situation

Meaning: Explain the basic point of a situation.

When to use: Use this to state the main plan or purpose simply.

The idea is to finish the first draft by Friday.
The idea is to finish the first draft by Friday.
The idea is to keep meetings under 30 minutes.
The idea is to keep meetings under 30 minutes.

We do this to ___.

Explain purpose simply

Meaning: Explain purpose simply.

When to use: Use this to explain why you take an action or use a method.

We do this to save time.
We do this to save time.
We do this to make sure everyone knows the updates.
We do this to make sure everyone knows the updates.

If ___, then ___.

Explain a condition in a simple way

Meaning: Explain a condition in a simple way.

When to use: Use this frame to show that one event depends on another.

Tip: Remember to include both parts: the condition and the result. Some learners leave out 'then' and make the meaning unclear.

If it rains, then we'll move indoors.
If it rains, then we'll move indoors.
If you study every day, then your skills will improve.
If you study every day, then your skills will improve.

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Describe a situation as not complicated

Meaning: Describe a situation as not complicated.

When to use: Use this to reassure someone before a short explanation.

It's not as difficult as it sounds — try one step at a time.
It's not as difficult as it sounds — try one step at a time.
Don't worry, it's not as difficult as it sounds.
Don't worry, it's not as difficult as it sounds.

Basically, ___.

Summarize the basic situation

Meaning: Summarize the basic situation.

When to use: Use this to give a short summary or to start a simple explanation.

Basically, we meet to check progress.
Basically, we meet to check progress.
Basically, you press this button to save.
Basically, you press this button to save.

Does that make sense?

Check if a simple explanation is clear

Meaning: Check if a simple explanation is clear.

When to use: Use this after you explain something to confirm understanding.

Does that make sense?
Does that make sense?
I'm explaining quickly — does that make sense?
I'm explaining quickly — does that make sense?

The main point is ___ .

state the main point of an explanation

Meaning: State the main point of an explanation.

When to use: Use this to highlight the most important idea in a short explanation.

The main point is we need better planning.
The main point is we need better planning.
The main point is to finish on time.
The main point is to finish on time.

It works like this: ___ .

explain how something functions

Meaning: Explain how something functions.

When to use: Use this to introduce a simple step-by-step explanation.

It works like this: we share a short agenda in advance.
It works like this: we share a short agenda in advance.
It works like this: press start, then wait 10 seconds.
It works like this: press start, then wait 10 seconds.

It's a way to ___ .

explain purpose in simple terms

Meaning: Explain purpose in simple terms.

When to use: Use this to say what something is used for or why you do it.

It's a way to speed up approval.
It's a way to speed up approval.
It's a way to keep everyone informed.
It's a way to keep everyone informed.

The reason is that ___ .

give the reason for a situation

Meaning: Give the reason for a situation.

When to use: Use this to give a clear, short reason for an event or decision.

Tip: Don't confuse 'the reason is that' with other connectors; it's for clear, direct reasons.

The reason is that the team needs more data.
The reason is that the team needs more data.
The reason is that the software updated yesterday.
The reason is that the software updated yesterday.

That's why ___ .

explain a result or conclusion

Meaning: Explain a result or conclusion.

When to use: Use this to show how a cause leads to a result or decision.

That's why we changed the deadline.
That's why we changed the deadline.
That's why I emailed everyone.
That's why I emailed everyone.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David plan quick team check-ins.

Anna and David using short explanatory phrases to describe why they hold quick meetings.

What are Anna and David explaining?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

It's not as difficult as it sounds. Basically, we schedule short meetings every Monday.

It's not as difficult as it sounds. Basically, we schedule short meetings every Monday.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

The idea is to check progress and share problems quickly.

The idea is to check progress and share problems quickly.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Because of different time zones, we do this to keep everyone in sync.

Because of different time zones, we do this to keep everyone in sync.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

If someone misses a meeting, then they read the notes later.

If someone misses a meeting, then they read the notes later.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

The main point is clear communication. Does that make sense?

The main point is clear communication. Does that make sense?

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase is best to start a short summary?

Which phrase would you use to give a clear reason?

Which phrase checks if your short explanation is understood?

You want to explain how a process works step-by-step. Which phrase fits best?

Basically, you can restart the router and the internet will work again.

___ you can restart the router and the internet will work again.

If we get more data, then our conclusion will change.

___ we get more data, our conclusion will change.

We moved the deadline. We do this to finish quality checks first.

We moved the deadline ___ finish quality checks first.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Because of ___, ___.

Explain a cause and result simply

Say this phrase out loud:

In simple words, ___.

Restate something in simpler language

Say this phrase out loud:

The idea is to ___.

Explain the basic point of a situation

Say this phrase out loud:

We do this to ___.

Explain purpose simply

Say this phrase out loud:

If ___, then ___.

Explain a condition in a simple way

Say this phrase out loud:

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Describe a situation as not complicated

Say this phrase out loud:

Basically, ___.

Summarize the basic situation

Say this phrase out loud:

Does that make sense?

Check if a simple explanation is clear

Say this phrase out loud:

The main point is ___ .

state the main point of an explanation

Say this phrase out loud:

It works like this: ___ .

explain how something functions

Say this phrase out loud:

It's a way to ___ .

explain purpose in simple terms

Say this phrase out loud:

The reason is that ___ .

give the reason for a situation

Say this phrase out loud:

That's why ___ .

explain a result or conclusion