New here? This is lesson 169 of a free 240-lesson English course.
In other words in English
After work, Ana sits with Tasha at the Blue Plate. Marcus gave a short rule in three sentences, and Tasha wants it in plain words.
By the end, you'll say the same thing another way, name a basic rule, give a short answer, and say what something means.
In other words says the same idea again. This means names the result. Keep your lines short.
By the end of this lesson
Say an idea another way, name a basic rule, and say what it means.
- In other words, it's not ready.Said another way, it is not done yet.
- This means we have to wait.So we cannot go on yet.
- The basic rule is, keep it short.The main rule is to keep the meeting short.
- The short answer is no.The quick answer is no.
- In this case, tell Marcus first.For this situation, speak to Marcus before anyone else.
- To put it another way, we need help.Said differently, we cannot do it alone.
Scene — the short version
Evening at the Blue Plate. Ana and Tasha share a booth. Dee refills the coffee without asking.
Marcus's meeting ran long, and Ana has his three sentence rule in her head. Murray sits at the counter with an unfinished coffee. The jukebox stays quiet.
Learn — restate and name the rule
Six lines help you say an idea another way, name a rule, and say what it means.
You'll hear In other words and To put it another way.
In other words, it's not ready.
Said another way, it is not done yet.
When to use it: Use this to say the same idea in simpler words.
Learn In other words as one piece. It says the same idea again.
Say it: Put a little stress on other.
This means we have to wait.
So we cannot go on yet.
When to use it: Use this to name the result of what you just said.
This means names the result of what you just said.
The basic rule is, keep it short.
The main rule is to keep the meeting short.
When to use it: Use this when you name the main rule in few words.
This phrase names the main rule in a few words.
Say it: Stress falls on basic and short.
The short answer is no.
The quick answer is no.
When to use it: Use this when a yes or no is enough.
Learn The short answer is as one piece for a quick yes or no.
In this case, tell Marcus first.
For this situation, speak to Marcus before anyone else.
When to use it: Use this when the step is only for this situation.
In this case points to this one situation, not every situation.
To put it another way, we need help.
Said differently, we cannot do it alone.
When to use it: Use this to say an idea in different words.
To put it another way says the same idea again, like In other words.
Say it: To often sounds like tuh.
Story — tasha wants it short
Watch Ana say Marcus's rule again for Tasha. Tasha wants the short version.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Evening booth. Tasha leans in over her coffee.
TashaSo, what did Marcus actually say about the drawings?She asks what Marcus said, in plain words.
AnaWell, the project still needs work. In other words, it's not ready.She says the project is unfinished, so it is not done yet.- TashaOkay. So what happens now?She asks what you should do next.
- AnaThis means we have to wait.So we cannot go on yet.
- Dee passes with the pot. She does not slow down.
- TashaCan you still present it tomorrow?She asks if Ana can show the work tomorrow.
- AnaThe short answer is no.The quick answer is no.
- TashaAnd the meeting rule? He hates long meetings.She asks for the main rule, because Marcus wants short meetings.
- AnaThe basic rule is: keep it short.The main rule is to keep the meeting short.
- TashaLet's keep it to thirty minutes. That makes sense.She wants a short meeting, and she accepts that idea.
- AnaI'll send you a short agenda.I'll email the list of topics.
- TashaWhat if the client asks for more slides?She asks what to do if the client wants a longer talk.
- AnaIn this case, tell Marcus first.For this situation, speak to Marcus before anyone else.
- Murray turns on his two stools. His coffee is still full.
MurrayYou know, I heard the same thing years ago.He thinks he has heard this idea before.- TashaWe still need another pair of eyes on the plan.She says one more person should look at the plan.
- AnaTo put it another way, we need help.Said differently, we cannot do it alone.
- Tasha grins.
- TashaThe short answer is: don't ramble. I like that.She likes the quick idea: do not talk too long.
DeeThat's enough talk, hon. Keep it short.She wants less talk now.
Practice — say it another way
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
In other words, it's not ready.Drop the Simple English hereThis means we have to wait.Drop the Simple English hereThe basic rule is, keep it short.Drop the Simple English hereTo put it another way, we need help.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Marcus wants the meeting in few words. Name his main rule.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
This means we have to wait.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
The quick answer is no.
The short ____ is no.
Pick the reply
Tasha says:
Pick the reply
The client wants extra slides. Who do we tell?
she asks who should hear this before anyone else
And you reply with:
Build the line
Build the line
Said differently, we cannot do it alone.
, .
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
The drawings are still unfinished. Say that another way: they are not done yet.
In other words, it's not ____.
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks you to make the meeting longer.
What do you say?
What do you say?
The meeting time is set. You will email the list of topics.
Pick the reply
Tasha says:
Pick the reply
So we wait, we keep it short, and we tell Marcus first.
she repeats the plan in a short form
And you reply with:
Say it — tell tasha the rule
Now you're Ana at the booth with Tasha. 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.
- TashaSo the drawings still need work.She says the drawings are not finished.
- Ana (you)Say it another way. It is not done yet.
Say it another way. It is not done yet.
In other words, it's not ready.
Said another way, it is not done yet.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| In other words, it's not ready. | Said another way, it is not done yet. | |
| This means we have to wait. | So we cannot go on yet. | |
| The basic rule is, keep it short. | The main rule is to keep the meeting short. | |
| The short answer is no. | The quick answer is no. | |
| In this case, tell Marcus first. | For this situation, speak to Marcus before anyone else. | |
| To put it another way, we need help. | Said differently, we cannot do it alone. |
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