What Does "in other words" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It expresses a restatement or explanation. It clarifies a preceding statement by presenting it in a different, often simpler or more direct, way.
- Typical sentence position: Primarily initial, but can occasionally be medial.
- Register: Neutral
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It's typically followed by a comma and a clause or phrase that rephrases the previous statement. It's preceded by the statement being clarified.
- Punctuation rules: A comma is almost always used after "in other words". When used medially, it's usually set off by commas (e.g., "The project failed, in other words, it was a disaster."). A colon can be used instead of a comma for emphasis (e.g., "In other words: fun.").
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence or clause. It cannot be directly negated (e.g., "not in other words" doesn't make sense). It can be moved to a medial position, but this is less common and should be done carefully to maintain clarity.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it to introduce a completely unrelated idea. Using it without a comma after the phrase. Inserting it mid-sentence without proper punctuation.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from in other words on Ludwig.guru.
"In other words, human." — The New York Times
"In other words, "Nope"." — The New Yorker
"In other words: fun." — The New York Times
"In other words, worthless." — The New York Times
"In other words, timing." — The Guardian - Music
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+other+words
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| that is to say |
More formal and explanatory; often used in academic or technical writing. |
| to put it another way |
Emphasizes a different perspective or phrasing of the same idea. |
| namely |
Introduces specific details or examples to clarify a general statement. |
| put differently |
Similar to "to put it another way," but slightly more concise. |
| which is to say |
Introduces a clarification or explanation that follows directly from the previous statement. |
| in simpler terms |
When the goal is to make something easier to understand. |
| to rephrase it |
Direct and simple, indicating a restatement. |
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect placement: Placing "in other words" within the sentence it is supposed to clarify, rather than before the clarification.
- Missing punctuation: Omitting the comma after "in other words" is a common error.
- Confusion with similar connectives: Using it when a different connective, like "therefore" or "however," would be more appropriate.
- Learners sometimes misuse it by inserting it mid-sentence, disrupting the flow, instead of using it to introduce a new clause or sentence that clarifies the previous one.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| in other words |
Restatement, clarification |
Neutral |
Initial |
FAQs
Where in a sentence can "in other words" be placed?
"In other words" primarily appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce a restatement. While it can be used medially, this is less common and requires careful punctuation to avoid disrupting the flow.
How does "in other words" differ from "therefore"?
"In other words" offers a restatement for clarity, while "therefore" indicates a consequence or result. "Therefore" shows a cause-and-effect relationship, whereas "in other words" provides an alternative explanation of the same point.
How can I avoid misusing "in other words" by inserting it mid-sentence?
To avoid this mistake, ensure that "in other words" introduces a separate clause or sentence that clarifies the preceding one. Instead of interrupting the existing sentence, use it to start a new sentence that rephrases the previous idea more clearly. Remember to always use a comma after it.