Welcome! In this lesson we'll practice short, useful phrases to explain ideas clearly. Keep it friendly — explanations can be simple and helpful.
Level B1: Lesson 46 — In this CEFR-aligned lesson you'll learn and practice ten short frames for giving simple explanations (for example: The short answer is..., The problem is that..., It's similar to...). You'll listen, repeat, and use them in a short conversation so you can explain ideas clearly in everyday situations.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Practice 10 common explanation frames useful at B1.
Hear the frames in a short conversation and repeat them aloud.
Use the frames to give clear, short explanations and comparisons.
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.
The problem is that ___ .
identify the key problem
Meaning: identify the key problem.
When to use: Use when you want to say the main difficulty clearly.
The problem is that the app drains the battery quickly.
The problem is that the app drains the battery quickly.
The problem is that people don't know how to save their work.
The problem is that people don't know how to save their work.
It's similar to ___ .
compare an unfamiliar idea with a familiar one
Meaning: compare an unfamiliar idea with a familiar one.
When to use: Use to help someone understand something new by comparing it to something they already know.
Tip: Don't mix 'similar to' with 'same as' — use 'similar to' when things are alike but not identical.
It's similar to a calendar app, but for tasks.
It's similar to a calendar app, but for tasks.
It's similar to online banking: you log in and see balances.
It's similar to online banking: you log in and see balances.
There are two reasons: ___ and ___ .
introduce a simple list of reasons
Meaning: introduce a simple list of reasons.
When to use: Use when you want to give a clear, short list of main reasons.
Tip: Avoid repeating 'because' twice; use the frame to list reasons cleanly.
There are two reasons: it's slow, and it uses a lot of data.
There are two reasons: it's slow, and it uses a lot of data.
There are two reasons: the team is small and the deadline is tight.
There are two reasons: the team is small and the deadline is tight.
To put it another way, ___.
Restate an idea in another way
Meaning: Restate an idea in another way.
When to use: Use to clarify or rephrase when your first explanation wasn't clear.
To put it another way, we need fewer steps in the form.
To put it another way, we need fewer steps in the form.
To put it another way, customers want faster answers.
To put it another way, customers want faster answers.
The easiest way to explain it is ___.
Give the simplest explanation
Meaning: Give the simplest explanation.
When to use: Use to introduce a short, user-friendly explanation before details.
The easiest way to explain it is: click the green button to start.
The easiest way to explain it is: click the green button to start.
The easiest way to explain it is that it saves your settings automatically.
The easiest way to explain it is that it saves your settings automatically.
This means that ___.
Explain the meaning or result of something
Meaning: Explain the meaning or result of something.
When to use: Use to link information with its practical result or meaning.
This means that customers can pay in one click.
This means that customers can pay in one click.
This means that we will need more storage space.
This means that we will need more storage space.
In this case, ___.
Limit an explanation to the current situation
Meaning: Limit an explanation to the current situation.
When to use: Use when you want to say what is true only for the current example or situation.
In this case, you should restart the phone.
In this case, you should restart the phone.
In this case, the discount does not apply to subscriptions.
In this case, the discount does not apply to subscriptions.
The short answer is ___.
Give a short direct answer before details
Meaning: Give a short direct answer before details.
When to use: Use when you want to give a quick answer first, then add more detail if needed.
The short answer is yes.
The short answer is yes.
The short answer is that we can finish by Friday.
The short answer is that we can finish by Friday.
The basic rule is ___.
Introduce a simple general rule
Meaning: Introduce a simple general rule.
When to use: Use when you want to state a simple, general guideline or rule.
The basic rule is: save often.
The basic rule is: save often.
The basic rule is to check permissions before sharing.
The basic rule is to check permissions before sharing.
The simple version is ___ .
Introduce a simple summary before giving an explanation
Meaning: Introduce a simple summary before giving an explanation.
When to use: Use when you want a quick summary before more detailed explanation.
The simple version is: it's a tool for scheduling.
The simple version is: it's a tool for scheduling.
The simple version is you sign up and then choose a plan.
The simple version is you sign up and then choose a plan.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna asks about a new scheduling app; David gives a simple explanation.
What does David mainly do in the conversation?
Anna
Can you explain this new app to me?
Can you explain this new app to me?
David
The short answer is it's for scheduling meetings.
The short answer is it's for scheduling meetings.
Anna
What is the problem with it so far?
What is the problem with it so far?
David
The problem is that notifications are delayed.
The problem is that notifications are delayed.
David
To put it another way, some people don't get meeting alerts on time.
To put it another way, some people don't get meeting alerts on time.
Anna
Is it hard to fix?
Is it hard to fix?
David
There are two reasons: the server is overloaded and the code needs optimization.
There are two reasons: the server is overloaded and the code needs optimization.
David
The easiest way to explain it is to think of a traffic jam on the internet.
The easiest way to explain it is to think of a traffic jam on the internet.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase gives a quick direct answer before details?
Which phrase would you use to restate an idea more clearly?
Which phrase helps someone understand a new idea by comparing it to something familiar?
Which frame is best to introduce a short list of causes?
This means that you can cancel a meeting and everyone gets a notification. ('This means that' links the fact to its result.)
____, you can cancel a meeting and everyone gets a notification.
The short answer is yes, we can fix it by Friday. (Use the short answer frame for a quick response.)
I want a quick answer: ____ yes, we can fix it by Friday.
The problem is that the app may drop some messages. (This frame names the main difficulty.)
If the server is slow, ____ the app may drop some messages.
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:
The problem is that ___ .
identify the key problem
Say this phrase out loud:
It's similar to ___ .
compare an unfamiliar idea with a familiar one
Say this phrase out loud:
There are two reasons: ___ and ___ .
introduce a simple list of reasons
Say this phrase out loud:
To put it another way, ___.
Restate an idea in another way
Say this phrase out loud:
The easiest way to explain it is ___.
Give the simplest explanation
Say this phrase out loud:
This means that ___.
Explain the meaning or result of something
Say this phrase out loud:
In this case, ___.
Limit an explanation to the current situation
Say this phrase out loud:
The short answer is ___.
Give a short direct answer before details
Say this phrase out loud:
The basic rule is ___.
Introduce a simple general rule
Say this phrase out loud:
The simple version is ___ .
Introduce a simple summary before giving an explanation
