in other words
adverb
- otherwise stated
Maybe if you showed the sentence that confused you I would understand the question a bit better. When people say “in other words,” they are describing the same thing in a different way — the same meaning, but “other words.” Usually it’s used to patently state an implication of a previous sentence. “Samantha made breakfast for her son every morning, and helped him with his homework every night. In other words, she was a devoted mother.” Answer from Big_brown_house on reddit.com
Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › in other words
IN OTHER WORDS Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of IN OTHER WORDS is —used to introduce a statement that repeats what has been said in a different and usually a simpler or more exact way. How to use in other words in a sentence.
WordHippo
wordhippo.com › what-is › another-word-for › in_other_words.html
What is another word for "in other words"?
Synonyms for in other words include i.e., especially, expressly, namely, particularly, specially, specifically, scilicet, videlicet and that is. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
Reddit
reddit.com › r/grammar › is "in other words" grammatically correct?
r/grammar on Reddit: Is "in other words" grammatically correct?
May 1, 2022 -
I'm unable to find anything online. Someone just said it and I thought it sounded strange (even though I've heard it a billion times in my life).
It's like it's treating "Other words" as a compound noun. I'm not a grammarian so I'm just guessing. But "other words would be..." makes sense to me, and "in alternate words" makes sense to me, but you wouldn't use other adjectives like "in further words".
Instead of saying "another approach is," you wouldn't say "in other approaches"
Hard to explain, but it just seems like a strange phrase.
Top answer 1 of 2
4
Maybe if you showed the sentence that confused you I would understand the question a bit better. When people say “in other words,” they are describing the same thing in a different way — the same meaning, but “other words.” Usually it’s used to patently state an implication of a previous sentence. “Samantha made breakfast for her son every morning, and helped him with his homework every night. In other words, she was a devoted mother.”
2 of 2
2
So, I can't stop thinking about this question for some reason. In some of your references, I've noticed very subtle but important differences from the grammatically correct usage of "In other words, ..." -- Other words would be: "If I had to describe Samantha in one word, I would call her spoiled, but if I could, other words would be entitled, selfish, self-centered, and narcissistic." In alternate words: Yes, this is synonymous, but it is not what is used throughout common speech, though neither is grammatically incorrect. In further words: "The doctor gave his diagnosis of COPD. In further words he went on to explain the details of the diagnosis." In other approaches: This isn't categorically something someone would or wouldn't say/write. It depends on the context of the sentence. People also could (and do) say, "To put it another way," -- does that ring weird to you, too? I'm just curious and trying to get at the root here and like I said, I can't stop thinking about this now, haha.
Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english › in-other-words
IN OTHER WORDS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
IN OTHER WORDS definition: to explain it more clearly: . Learn more.
Thesaurus.com
thesaurus.com › browse › in-other-words
IN OTHER WORDS Synonyms & Antonyms - 36 words | Thesaurus.com
as a choice as a substitute as an alternative conversely either in preference to in turn on the other hand or but or else or only preferentially ... Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context.
WordReference
forum.wordreference.com › english only › english only
in other words or in another word? | WordReference Forums
March 2, 2010 - I don't think we use "in another word" -- it's "in other words," even if the "other words" are just one word. We do have a similar expression that's fun: Alex: Bill, can you help me move house tomorrow? Bill: In a word, no. It is is often used just like that -- negatively -- and often with a smile: Can you lend me $5?
Quora
quora.com › Is-another-words-an-acceptable-synonym-for-in-other-words
Is 'another words' an acceptable synonym for 'in other words'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 9): The phrase “another words” being used in place of “in other words” is not properly a synonym, but is an example of a fun gem of English speech known as an “eggcorn”. An eggcorn is a substitution of a word or words ...
TextRanch
textranch.com › 158340 › in-another-word › or › in-other-words
in another word or in other words ?
'In other words' is the correct and commonly used phrase to introduce a rephrased or clarified statement. On the other hand, 'in another word' is not a standard English phrase and is not commonly used.
Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › another
ANOTHER Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
Synonyms for ANOTHER: further, more, additional, else, farther, other, added, side; Antonyms of ANOTHER: less, fewer
Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org › wiki › Thesaurus:in_other_words
Thesaurus:in other words - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
in other words (idiomatic) put differently · that is · that is to say · to put it another way · what this means is · [edit] Clarification: more precisely · rather · Correction: even · Simplification: in layman's terms (idiomatic) in plain English · put simply ·
Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org › wiki › in_other_words
in other words - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
(conjunctive, idiomatic) Stated or interpreted another way; Used to introduce an explanation, simplification, or clarification. He has another appointment on Thursday. In other words, I don't think he'll be attending your gathering.
Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english › in-other-words
IN OTHER WORDS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
You say in other words in order to introduce a different, and usually simpler, explanation or interpretation of something that has just been said.
Power Thesaurus
powerthesaurus.org › in_other_words › synonyms
IN OTHER WORDS Synonyms: 594 Similar Words & Phrases
otherwise stated · #change#speak · specifically · adv.#simplification · alternatively stated · #change#same · videlicet · adv.#alternative · it means · in plain english · adv.#simplification · or · conj. basically · adv.#final · ...
Quora
quora.com › What-are-synonyms-for-in-other-words
What are synonyms for 'in other words'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 32): simply put that is to say put another way said differently stated differently otherwise speaking put it differently put the matter another way said otherwise in other words namely put differently
Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › in-other-words
IN OTHER WORDS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
IN OTHER WORDS definition: Putting it differently, usually more simply or explicitly. For example, The weather was terrible, the plane took off several hours after the scheduled time, and then fog prevented their landing—in other words, they never got to the wedding at all.
Macmillan Education
macmillanthesaurus.com › in-other-words
in other words synonyms with definition
Exciting news: we've launched a new support site! We will be closing this site soon and will automatically redirect you to our new and improved support site. Our new support site has been designed with our users in mind to make finding help quicker and easier.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › why is the phrase "in other words" often used to clarify or rephrase a previous statement, instead of simply stating the clarification directly?
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Why is the phrase "in other words" often used to clarify or rephrase a previous statement, instead of simply stating the clarification directly?
February 4, 2023 -
Why do people often use the phrase 'in other words' when they want to say something in a different way instead of just saying the new way directly?
I guess I don't understand this because, in my native language, we don't do this a lot.
I've gone through multiple websites:
in other words meaning
in other words in a sentence
in other words synonyms
Can someone explain to me why and how I should use this?
Top answer 1 of 3
7
If you did that, people would be annoyed at you for repeating yourself. They might tease you or ask why you are saying it twice in two different ways. "In other words" let's people know you're restating the point for clarification and not just being redundant.
2 of 3
2
Also apart from sounding weird not saying it, it’s like preparing the listener that an explanation is coming of the previously stated point.